ATreatiseConcerningTheCausesoftheMagnificencyandGreatnessofCitiesDividedintothreebooksbySig。GiovanniBoterointheItalianTongue，nowdoneintoEnglishbyRobertPeterson1606
BookOne1。Whatacityis，andwhatthegreatnessofacityissaidtobeAcityissaidtobeanassemblyofpeople，acongregationdrawntogethertotheendtheymaytherebythebetterliveattheireaseinwealthandplenty。Andthegreatnessofacityissaidtobe，notthelargenessofthesiteorthecircuitofthewalls，butthemultitudeandnumberoftheinhabitantsandtheirpower。Nowmenaredrawntogetheruponsundrycausesandoccasionsthereuntothemmoving：somebyauthority，somebyforce，somebypleasure，andsomebyprofitthatproceedethofit。
2。OfauthorityCainwasthefirstauthorofcities；butthepoets（whomCicerothereinfollowed）fablethatintheoldworldmenscatteredhereandthere，onthemountainsandtheplains，ledalifelittledifferentfrombrutebeasts，withoutlaws，withoutconformityofcustomsandmatterofcivilconversation。Andthatafterwardthereroseupsomewho，havingwiththeirwisdomandtheireloquencewonaspecialreputationandauthorityabovetherest，declaredtotherudeandbarbarousmultitudehowmuchandhowgreatprofittheywereliketoenjoyif，drawingthemselvestooneplace，theywouldunitethemselvesintoonebody，byaninterchangeablecommunicationandcommerceofallthingsthatwouldproceedthereof。Andbythismeanstheyfirstfoundedhamletsandvillages，andaftertownsandcities，andthereuponthesepoetsfurtherfeignedthatOrpheusandAmphiondrewafterthemthebeastsofthefields，thewoodsandstones：meaningunderthesefictionstosignifyandshowthegrossnessofthewitsandtheroughnessofthemattersofthesamepeople。Butbesidesthesefables，wereadofTheseusthatafterhehadtakenuponhimthegovernmentoftheAthenians，itcameintohismindtouniteintoonecityallthepeoplethatdweltinthecountrythereabout，dispersedlyinmanyvillagesabroad；whichheeasilyeffected，bymanifestinguntothemthegreatcommodityandgoodthatwouldensueofit。
ThelikethingisdailyatthistimeputintopracticeinBrazil。Thosepeopledwelldispersedhereandthereincavesandcottages（nottocallthemhouses）madeofboughsandleavesofthepalm。Andforasmuchasthismatteroflife，tolivesodispersedly，causeththesepeopletoremaininthatsamesavagemindoftheirs，androughnessofmatterandbehaviour，andbringeththerewithmuchdifficultyandhindrancetothepreachingoftheGospel，totheconversionoftheinfidelsandtheinstructionofthosethattravailpainfully，toconvertthemandtobringthemtoknowledgeandcivility，thePortugueseandJesuitshaveusedextremediligenceandcaretoreduceanddrawthemintosomecertainplacetogethermoreconvenientfortheirpurpose，wherelivinginacivilconversationtheymightmoreeasilybeinstructedintheChristianfaithandgovernedbythemagistrateandministersoftheKing。SothattothispurposeI
mighthererememberthosecitiesthathavebeenbuiltbythepowerandinhabitedbytheauthorityofgreatprincesorsomefamouscommonweals。FortheGreeksandPhoeniciansweretheauthorsofaninfinitesightofcities。AndAlexandertheGreatandotherkingserectedanumbermorebesides，whereofbearwitnessAlexandria，Ptolemais，Antioch，Lysimachia，Philippopolis，Demetrias，Caesarea，Augusta，Sebastia，Agrippina，Manfredonia，andinourtimeCosmopolis，andtheCityoftheSun。
Butnonedeservethmorepraiseinthiskind（afterAlexandertheGreat，whobuiltmorethanthreescoreandtencities）thanKingSeleucus，whobesidesmanyothersbuiltthreecitiescalledApamea，tothehonourofhiswife，andfivecalledLaodicea，inmemoryofhismother，andtothehonourofhimselffivecalledSeleucia：andinallmorethanthirtymagnificentandgoodlycities。
3。OfforceThroughforceandinevitablenecessitypeoplearegatheredotherwhiletogetherintooneplace，whenassomeimminentperil，especiallyofwarsorruinandunrecoverablewasteanddevastation，enforceththemtoflyuntoit，toputinsafetytheirlivesortheirgoods：andsuchsafetyismostfoundinmountainsandcraggyplaces，orsmallandlittleislandsorsuchotherlike，thatarenoteasilytobeapproachedorcomeunto。
AfterthegeneraldelugeoftheworldinthetimeofNoah，whilemenfearedtheremightafreshhappensuchanotherruinagainuponthem，theysoughttosecurethemselves，somebybuildingtheirhabitationsuponthetopsofhighhills，andsomebyadvancinghugetowersofincredibleheightandgreatness，evenuptotheheavens。Andwithoutdoubt，forthisrespect，thecitiesseateduponthemountainsareforantiquitythemostnoble，andthetowersareofthemostancientformandkindofbuildingsthateverwereusedinthisworld。Butafterthefearofanewdelugewaspastandgonemenbegantodrawthemselvesdown，andtoerecttheirhabitationsintheplainsuntiltheterrorofarmies，andtheswarmandfearoffierceandcruelpeople，enforcedthemafreshtosavethemselves，onthesteepnessofthehills，orintheislandsoftheseas，orinthemarshesandbogs，orothersuchlikeplaces。
WhentheMoorssubduedSpainandbroughtitintomiserableservitudeandbondage，suchasescapedwiththeirlivesoutofthelamentableslaughterthatwasmadeofthem，someretiredthemselvesuptothehighestmountainsofBiscayandofAragon，andsome，betakingthemtotheirshipping，savedthemselvesintheIslandoftheSevenCities，socalledbecausesevenbishopsseatedthemselvesthereinwiththeirpeople。
ThecruelruinthatTamberlanecarriedwithhimwheresoeverhecamemadethepeopleofPersiaandthecountriesborderingthereupontoabandonandforsaketheirancientnativecountries（likebirdsthatarescattered）andtosavetheirlivesbyflight：someuponMountTaurus，someupontheAntiTaurus，andsomefledintothelittleislandsoftheCaspianSea。AndasthepeopleofIstria，atthecomingoftheSlavs，retiredtotheislandCapraria，andtherebuiltJustinopolis，sothepeopleofGalliaTranspadanaattheentryoftheLombardsintoItalysavedthemselveswithinthemarshes，wheretheybuiltthetownofCrema。
Butforasmuchastothenaturalstrengthofthoseplaces，neithergreatconvenienceeitherofterritoryortraffic，orgoodmeanstodrawtradeorintercourse，lent（forthemostpart）anyhelpuntothem：therewasneverseencitythereofanygreatfameormemory。Butiftheplaceswheretomenaredrivenofnecessitytoflyhaveinthembesidestheirsafetyanycommodityofimportance，itwillbeaneasythingforthemtoincrease，bothwithpeople，andwithriches，andwithbuildings。
InthismatterthecitiesofLevantandBarbarybecamegreatthroughthemultitudeofJewsthatFerdinandtheKingofSpainandEmmanueltheKingofPortugalcastoutoftheirkingdoms，asinparticularSalonicaandRhodes。AndinthesedaysinEnglandmanycitieshavemuchincreasedwithinfewyears，bothinpeopleandintrade，throughtheresortoftheLowCountrypeopletoit：
andespeciallyLondon，whereuntomanythousandsoffamilieshaveresortedthemselves。
AbouttheyearofOurLord900，whiletheSaracensdidputtofireandswordGenoaanditsterritoryandallthecountrythereabout，Pisadidmightilyincrease：fortothestrengthoftheplacethecountryyieldedalsoplentyofallgoodthings，andcommodityoftraffic。
AtthecomingofAttilaintoItalythepeopleofLombardy，beingwonderfullyafraidthroughthehorriblewasteandruinhebroughtwithhim，fledtosavethemselvesintotheislandsoftheAdriaticSea，andtherebuiltmanytownsandcities。Andafterthat，inthewarsthatPepinraisedagainstthem，forsakingtheplacesthatwerenotsecureandsafeenough，asEquilio，Eraclea，PalestinaandMalamocco，theydrewthemselvesneartoRialto，intoonebody，andsobythatmeansgrewVenicemagnificentandgreat。
4。HowtheRomansincreasedthecityofRomebywastingtheirneighbours’townsTheRomans，tomaketheirowncountryinanysortgreatandfamous，furnishedthemselvesverycarefullyeverwithstrengthandpower。FortomaketheirneighbourpeopleofnecessitygladandwillingtodrawthemselvestoRomeandtheretodwell，theyoverthrewtheirtownsevendowntotheground。SodidTullusHostiliuscastAlbadowntotheearth，amoststrongcity；
TarquiniusPriscuslaidalsoplainCornicolo，acityaboundinginmightywealth。ServiusTulliusmadePometiadesert，andinthetimeoflibertytheyutterlydestroyedVeii，acityofsuchstrengthandpowerthatwithmuchado，afterasiegeoftenyears，itwasbycunningmorethanstrengthvanquishedandoverthrown。
Nowthesepeople，andsuchother，havingnodwellingplacetodrawthemselvesuntonortolivesecureandsafe，theywereenforcedtochangetheircountrieswithRome，whichbythismeanswaxedgreat，bothinpeopleandriches。
5。ThatsomehavegottentheinhabitantsofothertownsintotheirowntownsThelikemeanstotheformer，butsomewhatmoregentle，theRomansusedtopopulateandmakegreattheirowncity，andthatwas，tobringthepeoplehomewhomtheyhadsubdued，orthemostofthem，toRome。RomulusinthismatterdrewintothecitytheCeuinenses，theAntennatiandtheCrustumini。ButnocountryamplifiedmorethecityofRomethantheSabines。Forinasharpandmightyfightwiththem，afteralongandhardconflict，hemadeapeace；andtheconditionwasthatTatiustheKingoftheSabinesshouldcomewithallhispeopletodwellinRome。WhichconditionTatiusdidaccept，andmadechoiceoftheCapitolandoftheMountQuirinalforhisseatandpalace。ThesamecoursedidAncusMartiustake，whogavethehillAventinetotheLatinswhentheyweretakenfromtheircitiesPolitorio，TellenaeandFicana。
ThegreatTamberlanealso，heamplifiedandenlargedmightilythegreatSamarkandinbringingtoittherichestandthewealthiestpersonsofthecitieshehadsubdued。AndtheOttomans，tomakethecityofConstantinoplerichandgreat，theyhavebroughttoitmanythousandfamilies，especiallyartificers，outofthecitiestheyhavesubdued，asMahometIIfromTrebizond，SelimIfromCairoandSolimanfromTauris。
6。OfpleasureMenarealsodrawntolivetogetherinsocietythroughthedelightandpleasurethateitherthesiteoftheplaceortheartofmandothministerandyielduntothem。Thesite，bythefreshnessoftheair，thepleasantviewofthevalleys，thepleasingshadeofthewoods，thecommoditytohunt，andtheabundanceofgoodwaters，ofallwhichgoodthingsAntiochinSyriaisliberallyendowed，andDamascusnoless，andBrusainBithynia，CordovaandSevilleinSpain，andmanyothergoodtownselsewhere。Untoartbelongeththestraightandfairstreetsofacity，themagnificentandgorgeousbuildingsthereineitherforartormatter，thetheatres，porches，circles，racesforrunninghorses，fountains，images，pictures，andsuchotherexcellentandwonderfulthingsasdelightandfeedtheeyesofthepeoplewithanadmirationandwonderatthem。
ThecityofThespiswasfrequentedfortheexcellentworkmanshipsakeoftheimageofCupid，Samosforthemarvellousgreatnessofthetemple，AlexandriaforthetowerofPharos，MemphisforthePyramids，RhodesfortheColossus。AndhowmanyshallwethinkhavegonetoBabylontoseethewondrouswallsthatSemiramishadmadeaboutit？TheRomansmanytimeswillinglywentfortheirrecreations’saketoSyracuse，Mytilene，Smyrna，RhodesandPergamum，eventotakethebenefitoftheairandtobeholdthebeautyofthosesamecities。Toconclude，allthateverfeedeththeeyeanddelighteththesenseofmanandhathanyexquisiteandcuriousworkmanshipinit，allthateverisrare，strange，new，unwonted，extraordinary，admirable，magnificent，greatorsingularbycunning，appertainethtothishead。
AndamongstallthecitiesofEurope，RomeandVenicearethemostfrequentedforthepleasuresanddelightstheyministertoallthebeholdersofthem。Romefortheexceedingwonderfulrelicsofherancientgreatness，andVeniceforthegloriousnessofherpresentandmagnificentestate。Romefilleththeeyewithwonderanddelightatthegreatnessofherconduits，therarenessofherbathsandhugenessofhercolossi，asalsoattheartofheradmirableworks，bothinmarbleandinbrass，wroughtbyexcellentartificers，attheheightandhugenessofherobelisks，atthemultitudeandvarietyofpillars，atthediversityandfinenessofstrangemarble，theexquisiteandcuriouscuttingofit，theporphyry，alabaster，marblewhite，black，grey，yellowandmixed，andserpentine；thegreatruins，theholygates，andanumberofothersortsandkindsbesides，whichweretoohardtorecountandimpossibletodistinguish。WhatshallIsayofthetriumphalarches，ofthesevenzonesorcircles，ofthetemples，andwhatofanumberofotherwonderselse？Andwhatshallweimaginethatcitywaswhensheflourishedandtriumphed，ifnow，whileshelieththusdefacedandisnoneotherthanasepultureofherselfsheallurethustoseeher，andfeedethusinsatiablywiththeruinsofherself。
Ontheotherside，Venice，withthewonderofherincomparablesituation（whichseemeththeactofnature，bygivinglawstothewatersandsettingabridleonthesea）
ministerethuntousnolessadmirationandwonderatit。ThegreatnessalsoofherinestimableArsenal，themultitudeofshipsbothofwar，oftrafficandofpassage，theincrediblenumberofwarlikeinstruments，ordnanceandmunition，andofallmatterofpreparationsfortheseas，theheightofthetowers，therichesofthechurches，themagnificenceofthepalaces，thebeautifulnessofthestreets，thevarietyofthearts，theorderofhergovernment，thebeautyoftheoneandothersex，dothdazzleandamazetheeyesofthebeholdersofthem。
7。OfprofitThisprofitisofsuchpowertouniteandtiemenfastuntooneplace，astheothercausesaforesaid，withoutthisaccompanythemwithal，arenotsufficienttomakeanycitygreat。
Notauthorityalone，foriftheplacewheretomenaredrawnthroughtheauthorityofanyaffordthemnocommodity，theywillnotabidenortarrythere。
Neitheryetnecessity，forsuchacongregationandcollectionofpeopleincreaseth，multipliethandlastethformanyyears，andnecessityisviolent，andviolencecannotproduceanydurableeffect。Sothatitcomestopassthatnotonlycitiesdonotincrease，butalsostatesandprincipalitiesgottenwithmerestrengthandviolencecannotbelongmaintained。Theyaremuchlikelandfloodsthathavenoheadnorspring，asrivershavethatministerperpetuallyplentyofwaterstothem，butcasuallyandinamomentriseandswell，andbyandbyassuageandfallagain，sothatastheyaretotravellersfearfulintheirswellings，sodotheyfallagainwithinawhile，sofastastravellersmaysoonpassawayonfootagaindry。
SuchweretheconquestsoftheTartars，thathavesooftinvadedAsiaandputittothesword，ofAlexandertheGreat，ofAttila，ofgreatTamburlane，ofCharlesVIIIandofLouistheTwelfthkingofFrance。Andthereasonthereofisthatournatureissogreatalover，andlongethaftercommoditysomuch，asthatitisnotpossibletoquietandcontentherwiththatwhichisnomorebutnecessary。Forasplantsalthoughtheybesetdeepenoughwithintheground，cannotforallthatlastandbelongkeptwithoutthefavouroftheheavensandthebenefitofrain，evensothehabitationsofmen，enforcedatfirstbymerenecessity，arenotmaintainedlongifprofitandcommoditygonotcompanionswithit。Muchlessthenispleasureanddelightofanymoment。Formanisborntolabour，andmostmenattendtheirbusiness，andtheidlersortareofnoaccountnorreckoning，andtheiridlenessisbuiltandfoundeduponthelaboursandtheindustryofthosethatwork。Andpleasurecannotstandwithoutprofitandcommodity，whereofsheis，asitwere，theveryfruit。
Nowsupposethatprofitistheverythingfromwhence，asfromtheprincipalcause，thegreatnessofcitiesgroweth（forthesameprofitisnotsimpleandofonesortbutofdiversformsandkinds）。Itresteththereforenowthatweseewhatmatterofcommodityandprofitismostfitfortheendwhereofwehavedisputedallthiswhile。Wesaythenthattomakeacitygreatandfamous，thecommodityofthesite，thefertilityofthesoilandeasinessofconducthelpethsufficientlyenough。
8。ThecommodityofthesiteIcallthatacommodioussitethatservesinsuchsortasmanypeoplethereofneedfortheirtrafficandtransportationoftheirgoodswhereoftheyhavemoreplentythantheyneed，orforreceivingofthingswhereoftheyhavescarcitysothatthissite，standingthusbetweenboth，partakethwithboth，andgrowethrichwiththeextremes。Isaypartakethwiththeextremesbecauseitcannototherwiseincreasethegreatnessofacity，forasmuchasitmusteitherremaindesertorelsenotservebutforasimplepassage。
Derbent，atownseatedintheportsoftheCaspianSeas，isaverynecessaryplace，togofromPersiaintoTartaryorfromTartaryintoPersia：yetnotwithstanding，itnevergrewgreatnornofamouscity，andintheseourdaysthereisnoreckoningmadeofit。Andthereasonisforthatitpartakethnotoftheseextremes，butservethforpassageonly，andreceiveththosethattraveltoandfronotasmerchantsandmenofcommerceandtraffic，butaspassengersandtravellers；andtospeakinaword，itisseatedsureinaverynecessaryplace，asthecasestandeth，butnotprofitablyuntoitself。
Fortheselfsamecause，inthestraitsoftheAlpswhichforthemostpartdocompassItaly，althoughtheFrenchmen，Switzers，DutchmenandItalianscontinuallydopassbythem，thereneveryetwasfoundameancity，muchlessanygreatandstatelyone。
Thelikemaybesaidofmanyothercitiesandplaces。ForSuezisaverynecessaryplaceforthemthatcameoutoftheIndiesbytheRedSeatoCairo。TheislandsofSt。James，andthePalmaandTerceiraarenecessaryforthePortugueseandSpaniardstosailtotheIndies，BrazilandtotheNewWorld，yetneitheristhere，norneverwillbeinthosesameplaces，cityofgoodimportance。AsneitheralsoisthereintheislandsbetweenDenmarkandSweden，noryetbetweenMareGermanicumandMareBalticum。AndFlushing，althoughitbesituatedinapassageofincrediblenecessity，forthecommerceandtrafficthereisbetweentheFlemings，Englishmenandothernations，yetnevergrewitgreatbutstillremainsaverylittletown。ButcontrariwiseGenoaisagreatcity，andsoisVenice，becausetheypartakeoftheextremes，andservenotonlyasforpassagesbutmuchmoreforstore—houses，cellarageandwarehousesofmerchandise，mostplentifullybroughtuntothem。AndsoislikewiseLisbon，Antwerpandsomeother。Itsufficethnotenoughthereforetothemakingofacitymagnificentandgreatthatthesitethereofbenecessary，butitmustwithalbecommodioustoothercountiesthatareborderers，ornearuntoit。
9。OfthefruitfulnessofthesoilThesecondcauseofthegreatnessofacityisthefruitfulnessofthecountry。Forthesustenanceofthelifeofman，consistingonfoodandclothing，andbothofthemgottenoutofthosethingstheearthdothproduce，thefruitfulnessofthecountrycannotbutbeamightyhelpuntoit。Andifitfallouttobesogreatasitnotonlywellsufficethtomaintaintheinhabitantsthereof，butalsotosupplythewantsoftheirborderingneighbours，itservethourpurposesomuchthebetter。
Andforasmuchasallsoilsproducenotallthings，howmuchmorerichandmoreableacountryshallbetoproducediversandsundrythingsofprofitandcommodity，somuchthemoresufficientandfititwillbefoundtoraiseagreatcity。Forbythatmeansitshallhavethelessneedofothers（whichenforcethpeopleotherwhiletoleavetheirhabitations）andbeabletoaffordthemoretoothers（whichdrawethourneighboursthesoonertoourcountry）。
Butthefruitfulnessofthelandsufficethnotsimplyofitselfalonetoraiseacityuntogreatness：formanyprovincesthereare，andtheyveryrich，thathaveneveragoodcityinthem；as，forexample，Piedmontisone，andthereisnotacountrythroughoutallItalythathathmoreplentyofcorn，cattle，wine，andofexcellentfruitsofallsorts，thanithath，andithathmaintainedformanyyearsthearmiesandforcesbothofSpainandFrance。AndinEngland，Londonexcepted，althoughthecountrydoaboundinplentyofallgoodthings，yetthereisnotacityinitthatdeservestobecalledgreat。AsalsoinFrance，Parisexcepted，whichnotwithstandingisnotseatedinthefruitfullestcountryofthatgreatkingdom；forinpleasantnessitgivethplacetoTouraine，inabundanceofallthingstoSaintongeandPoitiers，invarietyoffruitstoLanguedoc，incommodiousnessoftheseastoNormandy，instoreofwinetoBurgundy，inabundanceofcorntoChampagne，ineitherofbothtothecountryofOrleans，incattletoBrittanyandtheterritoryofBourges。
Byallwhichitdothappearthattotheadvancingofacityuntogreatnessitsufficethnotsimplyofitselfalonethattheterritorybefruitful。Andthereasonthereofisplain；forwhereacountrydothplentifullyaboundwithallmatterofgoodthings，theinhabitants，findingallthosethingsathomethatarefit，necessaryandprofitablefortheiruse，neithercarenorhavecausetogoanywhereelsetoseekthem，buttakethebenefitanduseofthemwitheasewheretheygrow。Foreverymanlovestoprocurehiscommoditywiththemosteasehemay：andwhentheyfindthemwitheaseathome，towhatendshouldtheytraveltofetchthemelsewhere？Andthisreasonprovesthemorestrongwherethepeopleaffectandlongleastaftervainandidledelightsandpleasures。
Itsufficethnotthereforetothegatheringofasocietyofpeopletogethertohaveabundanceofwealthandsubstancealone，buttheremustbebesidesthatsomeotherformandmattertouniteandholdtheminoneplacetogether。Andthatistheeasinessandcommodiousnessofconduct，thecarryingoutandbringingin，Imean，ofcommoditiesofwarestoandfro。
10。OfthecommodityofconductThiscommodityislentuntouspartlyofthelandandpartlyofthewater。
Oftheland，ifitbeplain。Forbythatmeansitconducetheasilythemerchandiseandgoodsofallsortsandkinds，uponcarts，horses，mulesandotherbeastsofburden；andmenmaketheirjourneysthemorecommodiouslyonfoot，onhorse，inchariot，andinothersuchlikesortandmatter。
ThePortuguesedowritethatinsomelargeandspaciousplainsofChinatheyusecoacheswithsails，whichsomeessayednotmanyyearssinceinSpain。
Ofthewater，thiscommodityislentusifitbenavigable；
andwithoutcomparisonthecommodityismuchbetterandmoreworthfar，whichthewaterdoaffordusthanwhichtheearthdothgiveus，bothforeaseandspeediness，forasmuchasinlesstime，andwithlesschargeandlabour（withoutproportioninit）
greatercarriagesarebroughtfromcountriesmostremotebywaterthanbyland。
Nowyournavigablewateriseitheroftheseaoroftheriverorofthelake，whicharenaturalhelpsandmeans，orofchannelsorofpoolsasthatofMoerisinEgypt，whichwas450milesabout，madebyartandbyman’sindustryandlabour。
ItseemsinverytruththatGodcreatedthewater，notonlyforanecessaryelementtotheperfectionofnature，butmorethanso，foramostreadymeanstoconductandbringgoodsfromonecountrytoanother。ForHisDivineMajesty，willingthatmenshouldmutuallyembraceeachotherasmembersofonebody，dividedinsuchsortHisblessingsastononationdidhegiveallthings，totheendthatothershavingneedofus，andcontrariwisewehavingneedofothers，theremightgrowacommunity，andfromacommunityloveandfromloveanunitybetweenus。
AndtoworkthiscommunitytheeasierHeproducedthewater，whichofnatureissuchasubstancethatthroughthegrossnessthereofitisapttobeargreatburdens，andthroughtheliquidness，helpedwiththewindsortheoars，fittocarrythemtowhatplacetheylist。SothatbysuchagoodmeantheWestisjoinedwiththeEast，andtheSouthwiththeNorth。Andamanmightsaythatwhatsogrowsinoneplacegrowsinallplaces，bytheeasymeansprovidedtocomebythem。
Nowwithoutdoubtthesea，forherinfinitegreatnessandgrossnessofthewater，ismuchmoreprofitablethanthelakesortherivers；buttheseaservesyoutolittlepurposeifyouhavenotalargeandsafeporttorideinto。Isaylargeeitherforthegreatnessorforthedepthoftheentrythereat，themiddestandtheextremes，andIsaysafeeitherfromallorfrommanywinds，oratleastfromthemostblusteringandmosttempestuous。
ItisheldthatamongallwindstheNorthernismosttolerable，andthattheseasthataretroubledontheGreekishcoastceasetheirrageandwaxquietassoonasthewindislaid。
ButtheSouthernwindstroublethemandbeatthemsosore（whereoftheGulfofVeniceisanundoubtedwitness）thatevenafterthewindislaidtheyswellandrageagreatwhileafter。
Nowtheportshallbesafeeitherbynature，asthatofMessinaandMarseilles，orelsebyart，theimitatorofnature，asthatofGenoaandofPalermo。
Lakesare，asitwere，littleseas，sothatalsotheyfortheproportionoftheplace，andotherrespectsbesides，giveagreathelptoappopulatetownsandcities；asitisfoundinNovaHispania，whereasistheLakeofMexicowhichextendethninehundredmilesincompass，andcontainethfiftyfairandgoodlytownsinit，amongstthewhichthereisthetownTenochtitlan，theMetropolitanseatofthatgreatandlargekingdom。
Theriversalsoimportmuch，andmostofalltheythatrunthelongestcourse，especiallythroughtherichestandmostmerchantableregions，suchasisPoinItaly，ScheldtinFlanders，LoireandSeineinFrance，DanubeandtheRhineinGermany。Andaslakesarecertainseveralremembrancesofthebosomsofthegulfsoftheseas，formedandmadebynature，evensochattelswhereintothewaterofthelakeortheriverrunnetharecertainimitationsand，asitwere，shadowsofthesameriversmadebyskillandcunning。
TheancientkingsofEgyptmadeaditchthatfromtheNilerantothecityHeroopolis，andtheyessayedtodrawachannelfromtheRedSeatotheMediterranean，toknitupourseaswiththeIndianSeas，andsotomaketheeasiertransportationtoandfroofallkindsofmerchandise，andbythatmeanswithaltoenrichtheirownkingdom。AnditisathingwellknownhowoftithathbeenattemptedtobreakuptheIsthmustounitetheIonianwiththeAegeanSea。ASultanofCairodrewachattelfromtheEuphratestothecityofAleppo。InFlandersyoumayseebothatGhentandatBruges，andinotherplaceselsebesides，manychannelsmadebyart，andwithaninestimableexpenseandcharge，butyetofmuchmoreprofitfortheeasetheybringtomerchandisingandtothetrafficofothernations。AndinLombardymanycitieshavewiselyprocuredthiseaseuntothem，butnonemorethanMilan，thatwithonechattel（worthyoftheRomans’glory）draweththewaterstoitoftheTicinoandofthelakecalledLagoMaggiore，andbysuchmeansenrichethitselfwithinfinitestoreofmerchandises；andwithanotherchattelbenefitethmuchbytheriverAddathroughtheopportunityandmeansithaththerebytobringinthefruitsandthegoodsoftheirexceedingplentifulcountryhomeuntotheirhouses。AndtheyshouldmakeitmuchthebetteriftheywouldcleanseandscourthechattelofPaviaandIvrea。
Nowinchattelsandinrivers，fortheirbettereaseofconductandoftraffic，besidesthelengthoftheircourseswehavebeforespoken，thedepth，thepleasantness，thethicknessofthewaterandthelargenessthereofisofmuchmomenttothem。
Thedepthbecausedeepwatersbearandsustainthegreaterburdensandthenavigationisthemoresafewithoutperil；thepleasantnessbecauseitmakesthenavigationeasyupanddownwhichwaysoeveryoubendyourcourse。thereinitseemstosometheyhavebeenmuchmistakenthathadtheorderingofthechattelthatcomesfromTicinotoMilan，forasmuchasbythegreatfallofthewaterandthegreatadvantagegiventothewaterithathsostrongacurrentandissoviolentthatwithinfinitetoilandlabourandlossoftimetheyhavemuchadotosailupward。Butastouchingrivers，naturehathshowedherselfverykindtoGalliaCelticaandBelgica；forasmuchasinGalliaCelticatheriversforthemostpartaremostcalmandstill，andthereforetheysailupanddownwithincrediblefacilitybecausemanyofthemcomeforthasitwereintheplainsandevengrounds，bythemeansthereoftheircourseisnotviolent，andtheyrunnotbetweenthemountains，noryetashortandlittleway，butmanyhundredsofmilesthroughgoodlyandevenplains。Where，fortheirrecreationandtheirpleasure，otherwhilementaketheircourseoneway，anotherwhileanother，nowgoonforwards，thenturnbackagain，andso，bythiswindingandturningtoandfrotheyhelpdiverscitiesandprovinceswithwaterandvictualsorothersuchthingsastheyneed。ButthereisnotacountryinEuropebetterfurnishedandprovidedofriversthanthatpartofGalliaBelgicathatcommonlywecallFlanders。TheMeuse，theScheldt，theMoselle，Dender，RuhrandRhine，dividedintothreegreatarmsorbranches，runpleasantlyandgallantlyforthrightandoverthwarttheprovince，andmightlyenrichitbythecommodityofnavigationandtrafficofinfinitetreasure，whichcertainlywantsinItaly。ForItalybeinglongandstrait，andpartedinthemiddestwiththeApennineHills，theriversofItaly，throughtheshortnessoftheircourse，cannotneithermuchincreasenoryetabatetheviolenceoftheirstreams。
TheriversofLombardycomeall，asitwere，eitheroutoftheAlps，astheTicino，Adda，Lambro，Serio，Adige，oroutoftheApennineHills，astheToro，Lenza，Panaro，andReno，andbutashortwayneither，whereintheyratherdeservetobecalledlandfloodsthanrivers，fortheysoonfindoutthePo，whichtakeshiscoursebetweentheApennineHillsandtheAlps，sothatheonlyrestethnavigable。Forwashingtheprovinceoverbyallhiswholelength，hehathtimetogrowgreat，andenrichhimselfwiththehelpofmanyrivers，andtomoderatehisnaturalswiftnessbythelongwayhemaketh。Butthistakewithal，thatforasmuchasthesaidrivers，throughtheshortnessoftheircourse，enterandmeettogetherwithamightyrageandviolence，theywaxgreatotherwhile，andswellandrunwithsucharagingcourseastheymakethestrongestcitiesafraidofthem，muchmorethecountrythereabout。ButtheriversofRomagnaandofotherpartsofItaly，fallinglikeragingland—floodspartlyonthissideandpartlyonthatsideoftheApenninehills，soonfindouttheAdriaticortheTyrrhenianortheIonianseas，sothatthemostofthemhavenotimetoslaketheirrage，nornoneofthemhavesomuchtimetogrowgreat，asmightmakethemnavigable。ForthatlittlethatisnavigableinArnoorTiber，itisnotworththespeaking。
Thethicknessofthewaterisalsoaverygoodhelpinthiscase。Foritcannotbedeniedthatthewaterofoneriverbearethgreatandweightyburdensmuchbetterthanthewaterofsomeother。Andinparticular，whentheObelisk（setupinthetimeofSixtustheFifth）whichistobeseenatthisdayinSaintPeter’sStreet，wasbroughttoRome，itiswellknownbygoodexperiencethewaterofTiberwasofmorestrengthandofmoreforceandfirmnessthanthewaterofNile。
AndSeine，ameanriverinFrance，bearethshipsofsuchbulk，andcarriethburdenssogreat，thathewhoseesitnotwillnotbelieveit；andthereisnotariverintheworldthatforproportionisabletobearthelikeburden。Sothatalthoughitexceednotamediocrityandbebutasmallriver，yetnotwithstandingitsuppliethwonderfullyallthenecessitiesandwantsofParis，acitythatinpeopleandinabundanceofallthingsexceedethfarallothercitieswhatsoeverwithinthescopeofChristendom。
Hereamanmightaskmehowitcomestopassthatonewatershouldbearmoreburdenthananother？
Somewill，thatthisproceedethfromthenatureoftheearththatthickeneththewaterandmakethitstiffandbyconsequencefirmandsolid。ThisreasonhathnootheroppositionbutNile，thewaterwhereofissoearthyandsomuddythattheScripturecallethittheTroubledRiver，anditisnottobedrunkbeforeitbepurgedandsettledwellinthecistern。AnditdothnotonlywaterandmellowallEgyptoverwithitsliquidness，butmorethanthatmakethitfertileandmucketh，asitwere，thegroundwithitsfatness。Andyetitisnotofthefittestnorthestrongesttosustainandbearships，boatsorbarksofanygoodburden，whereuponIshouldthinkthatforsucheffectandpurposeweshouldnotsomuchpreferthemuddinessofthewaterasthesliminessthereof；forthatdothglueit，asitwere，together，andthickenitthebetter，andmakethitmorefitandmoreapttobeargoodburden。
Butsomemanmightaskmehereagain，fromwhencecomeththisquality，thisdiversity，Imean，ofwaters？Imustanswer，itcomesoftwocauses。First，fromtheverybreakingorburstingofitout，andpassagealongthroughrough，rich，rankandfatcountries；forriversparticipatingofthenatureofthegroundsthatmakethemtheirbedsandbanks，becometherebythemselvesalsofatandslimy，andofqualitymuchliketooil。Thenextcauseproceedethfromtheswiftnessandtheshortnessofthecourse；forasmuchasthelengthofavoyageandtherageoftheriversmakeththinandsubtleththesubstance，andbreaksandcutsinsunderthesliminessofthewater：whichhappenethinNile。Forrunninginamannerasitdothtwothousandmilesbyadirectline（forbyanobliqueandcrookedlineitwouldbeagooddealmore）andfallingfromplacesexceedingsteepandheadlongwhere，throughthevehemencyandviolentforceofthecourse，andbytheinestimablerageofthefallitbreakethanddissolvethallintoaverysmallandfinerain，asitwere，itwaxethsofineandsubtle，andsotirethhiswatersthattheylosealltheirslimyproperties，whichrestethallattheriversofAlmaineandofFrance。Fortheygrowandwalkthroughmostrichandpleasantcountries，andtheybenotordinaryswiftnorviolent。NowthatthisisthetruereasonthereofthewaterofSeineshallmakeatrueproofof，forifyouwashyourhandswithit，itscourethlikesoapandcleansethyouofallmannerofspots。
Butletusnowpasstothewideness；andthatisnecessarytobeginwithalinriversandinchannelsofwhichwespeakof，thattheyshouldbewideandlarge，thatshipsmaycommodiouslywindandturnhereandthereattheirwillandpleasure，andgivewayeachtoother。Butthewidenessofariverwithoutdepthservesnotforourpurpose，foritdissipatethanddisperseththewaterinsuchsortthatitmakethitunfitfornavigation，whichhappenethtotheriverofPlate，whichthroughovermuchwidenessisforthemostpartlowandofunevenbottom，andfullofrocksandlittleislands。AndfortheselfsamecausetheriversofSpainarenotgreatlynavigable；fortheyhavelargebelliesbuttheyspreadwide，anduneventheyare，anduncertain。Andthusmuchsufficethtohavesaidofrivers。
Nowforasmuchasthecommoditiesandprofitsaresuchandsogreatwhichthewaterbringethtoadvancethegreatnessofacity，ofconsequentthosecitiesmustbethefairestandrichestthathavethemoststoreofnavigablerivers。Andevensucharethosecitiesthatareseatedupongoodhavensoftheseas，riversorlakes，thatarecommodious，aptandfitforsundrynavigations。
Itmayseemtosomethatwiththeeasinessofconductthefoundationisnowfoundout，andfullcomplementandperfectionofthegreatnessofacity。Butitisnotso，foritbehovesbesidesthatthattherebesomematterofprofitthatmaydrawthepeopleandcausethemtorepairtooneplacemorethantoanother。Forwherethereisnocommodityofconductthemultitudeofpeoplecannotbegreat，whichthehillsandmountainsteachethus，onwhichwemaywellseemanycastlesandlittletowns，butnostoreofpeoplethatwemighttherebycallthemgreat。Andthereasonis，becauseofthecragginessandsteepnessoftheirsitessuchthingsasarenecessaryandcommodiousforacivillifecannotbebroughtuntothemwithoutaninfinitetoilandlabour。
AndFiesolebecamedesertandFlorencefrequenteduponnoneothercausethanthatFiesolestandethontoosteepandtoohighaplace，almostinaccessible，andFlorenceinaveryplain，easytohaveaccessuntoit。AndinRomeweseethepeoplehaveforsakentheAventineandotherhillsthere，anddrawnthemselvesaltogetherdowntotheplainandplacesnearestuntoTiberforthecommoditywhichtheplainandthewateraffordethtotheconductofgoodsandtraffic。
Butwhereconductandcarriageiseasyyouseenotforallthatanotableandfamouscitybyandby。ForwithoutquestiontheportofMessinaisfarmuchbetterthantheportofNaples，thatnotwithstandingNaples，ifyoubeholdthepeople，exceedethmorethantwoMessinas。TheportofCartagenaexceedsinallrespectstheportofGenoa，andyetGenoa，formultitudeofpeople，forwealthandforallmatterofgoodthingsbesidesmightilyexceedethCartagena。Whatportismorefair，moresafeormorespaciousthanthechattelofCattaro？Andyetistherenotanymemorablecityinthatplace。
WhatshallIsayofrivers？InPeruthereistheriverMarionwhich（itissaid）dothrun（amarvellousthingtoreport）sixthousandmilesinlength，andmore。YouhavetheriverofPlatethereby，whichthoughitgiveplacetoMarionforthelengthofhisstreamandcourseitbearethyetmorewateragreatdeal，andatthemouthofit，theysay，itisonehundredandfiftymileswide。InNewFrancethereistheriverofCanada，wideatthemouththirty—fivemiles，andtwohundredfathomdeep。InAfricatherearealsoverygreatrivers，Senegal，GambiaandCuanza，whichlastisariverlatefoundoutinthekingdomofAngolawhichisthoughttobewideatthemouththirty—fivemiles；andyetamongstthemthereisnotafamouscitytobefound。Nayfurther，ontheriverofCuanzathebarbarouspeoplethereliveindens，andhidethemincavescoveredwithboughsinthecompanyandfellowship，asitwere，ofcrabsandlobsters，whichthroughuseandcustomgrowwondrousfamiliarandsecurewiththem。