ThesethingsIheredeliveroughttobenotthoughtbyanymantobeincredible。For（besidesthatMarcoPoloinhisrelationsaffirmethfargreaterthings）thesethingsIspeakareinthesedaysapprovedtobemosttruebytheintelligenceswedoreceivecontinuallybothofsecularandreligiouspersons，asalsobyallthenationofthePortuguese。Soashethatwilldenyitshallshowhimselfafool。ButforthesatisfactionofthereaderIwillnotsparetosearchouttheveryreasonshowitcomestopassthatChinaissopopulousandfullofsuchadmirablecities。
Letusthensupposethateitherbythegoodnessoftheheavensorbythesecretinfluenceofthestarstousunknown，orforsomeotherreasonselsewhatsoevertheybe，thatpartoftheworldthatisorientaluntoushathmorevirtue，Iknownotwhat，intheproducingofthingsthantheWest。Hereofitproceedeththatanumberofexcellentthingsgrowinthesehappycountiesofwhichothersareutterlydestituteandvoid，ascinnamon，nutmegs，cloves，pepper，camphor，sandalwood，incense，aloes，theIndiannuts，andsuchotherlike。Moreoverthethingsthatarecommonuntoboth，totheEast，Isay，andtheWest，theyaregenerallymuchmoreperfectintheEastthantheWest；asforproofthereof，thepearlsoftheWestincomparisonoftheEastareasitwereleadtosilver。AndlikewisethebezoarthatisbroughtfromtheIndiesisagreatdealbetterfarthanthebezoarthatcomesfromPeru。
NowChinacomesthenearesttotheEastofanypartoftheworld，andthereforedothsheenjoyallthoseperfectionsthatareattributedtotheEast。Andfirsttheair（whichofallthingsimportethtothelifeofmansomuchasnothingmore）isverytemperate；whereuntothenearnessoftheseaaddethagreathelp，whichembraceth，asitwere，witharmscastabroadagreatpartthereof，andlooksitinthefacewithacheerfulaspect，andwithathousandcreeksandgulfspenetratethfarwithintheveryprovince。
Next，thatthecountryisforthemostpartveryplainandofnatureveryapttoproducenotonlythingsnecessaryfortheuseandsustenanceofthelifeofmanbutalsoallsortsofdaintythingforman’sdelightandpleasure。Thehillsandmountainsareperpetuallyarrayedwithtreesofallsorts，somewildandsomefruitful；theplainsmanured，tilledandsownwithrice，barley，wheat，peasandbeans；thegardens，besidesourcommonsortsoffruits，doyieldmostsweetmelons，mostdelicateplums，mostexcellentfigs，pomecitronsandorangesofdiversformsandexcellenttaste。
Theyhavealsoanherboutofwhichtheypressadelicatejuicewhichservesthemfordrinkinsteadofwine。Italsopreservestheirhealthandfreesthemfromallthoseevilsthattheimmoderateuseofwinedothbreeduntous。
Theyalsoaboundincattle，insheep，infowl，indeer，inwool，inrichskins，cotton，linen，andininfinitestoreofsilk。Thereareminesofgoldandsilverandofexcellentiron。
Therearemostpreciouspearls。Thereisabundanceofsugar，honey，rhubarb，camphor，redlead，woad，muskandaloes，andtheporcelainearthisknownnowherebutthere。
Morethanthis，theriversandthewatersofallsortsrungallantlythroughallthosecountieswithanunspeakableprofitandcommodityfornavigationandtillage。Andthewatersareasplentifuloffishasthelandisoffruits，fortheriversandtheseasyieldthereofaninfiniteabundance。
Untothissogreatafertilityandyieldbothofthelandandwaterthereisjoinedanincrediblecultureofboththeseelements。Andthatproceedethoutoftwocauses，whereoftheonedependethupontheinestimablemultitudeoftheinhabitants（foritisthoughtthatChinadothcontainmorethanthreescoremillionsofsouls）andtheotherconsistethintheextremediligenceandpainsthatistakenaswellofprivatepersonsinthetillageoftheirgroundsandwellhusbandingtheirfarms，asalsothemagistratesthatsuffernotamantoleadanidlelifeathome。Sothatthereisnotalittlescrapofgroundthatisnothusbandlyandverywellmanured。
Nowfortheirmechanicalarts，shouldIcommitthemheretosilencewhenasthereisnotacountryintheworldwheretheydomoreflourishbothforvarietyandforexcellenceofskillandworkmanship？Whichproceedethalsooutoftwocauses，whereoftheoneIhavecommendedbefore，inthatidlenessiseverywhereforbiddenthere，andeverymancompelledtowork；nomansufferedtobeidle，no，nottheblindnorthelamenorthemaimed，iftheybenotaltogetherimpotentandweak。Andthewomenalso，byalawofWu—tiKingofChina，areboundtoexercisetheirfather’
stradesandarts，andhownobleorgreatsoevertheybetheymustatleastattendtheirdistaffandtheirneedle。Theothercauseisthatthesonsmustofnecessityfollowtheirfather’smysteries，sothathereuponitcomesthatartificersareinfiniteandthatchildrenaswellboysasgirls，evenintheirinfancy，canskilltowork，andthatartsarebroughtuntomostexcellentandhighperfection。
Theysuffernotanythingtogotoloss。Withthedungofthebullsandoxenandothercattletheyusetofeedfish；andofthebonesofdogsandotherbeaststheymakemanyanddiverscarvedandengravenworks，aswedomakeofivory。Ofragsandcloutstheymakepaper；tobeshort，suchistheplentyandvarietyofthefruitsoftheearthandofman’sindustryandlabour，astheyhavenoneedofforeignhelptobringthemanything。Fortheygiveawayagreatquantityoftheirowntoforeigncountries。And（tospeakofnothingselse）thequantityofsilkthatiscarriedoutofChinaisalmostnotcredible。AthousandquintalsofsilkareyearlycarriedthenceforthePortugueseIndies；forthePhilippinestheyladeoutfifteenships。TherearecarriedouttoJapananinestimablesum，anduntoCathayasgreataquantityasyoumayguessbythatwehavebeforedeclaredisyearlycarriedthencetoCambaluc。Andtheyselltheirworksandtheirlabours（byreasonoftheinfinitestorethatismade）socheapandatsoeasypriceasthemerchantsofNovaHispaniathattradeuntothePhilippinestomaketheirmarts（untowhichplacetheChinesethemselvesdotraffic）dowonderatitmuch。BymeanswhereofthetrafficwiththePhilippinesfallsouttoberatherhurtfulthanprofitableuntotheKingofSpain。ForthebenefitofthecheapnessofthingsisitthatmakesthepeopleofMexico（whoheretoforehaveusedtofetchtheircommoditiesfromSpain）tofetchthematthePhilippines。ButtheKingofSpain，forthedesirehehathtowinuntofamiliarityandlove，andbythatmeanstodrawtoourChristianfaithandtothebosomoftheCatholicChurch，thosepeoplethatarewraptinthehorribledarknessofidolaties，esteemethnotawhitofhisloss，sohemaygaintheirsoulstoGod。
BythesethingsIhavedeclareditappearethplainthatChinahaththemeanspartlybythebenefitofnatureandpartlybytheindustryandartofmantosustainaninfinitesightofpeople。
Andthatforthatcauseitiscredibleenoughthatitbecomethsopopulousacountryashathbeensaid。AndIaffirmthismuchmoreuntoit，thatitisnecessaryitshouldbesofortworeasons：
theone，forthatitisnotlawfulfortheKingofChinatomakewartogetnewcountiesbutonlytodefendhisown，andthereuponitmustensuethatheenjoyethinamanneraperpetualpeace。Andwhatistheremoretobedesiredorwishedthanpeace？Whatthingcanbemoreprofitablethanpeace？Myotherreasonis，forthatitisnotlawfulforanyoftheChinesetogooutoftheirCountrywithoutleaveorlicenceofthemagistrates，sothat，thenumberofpersonscontinuallyincreasingandabidingstillathome，itisofnecessitythatthenumberofpeopledobecomeinestimable，andofconsequencethecitiesexceedinggreat，thetownsinfiniteandthatChinaitselfshouldrather，inamatter，bebutonebodyandbutonecity。
Tosaythetruth，weItaliansdoflatterourselvestoomuch，anddoadmiretoopartiallythosethingsthatdoconcernourselves，especiallywhenwewillpreferItalyandhercitiesbeyondalltherestintheworld。TheandfigureofItalyislongandstrait，dividedwithalinthemidstwiththeApennineHills。
Andthepaucityandrarenessofnavigableriversdothnotbearitthattherecanbeverygreatandpopulouscitiesinit。IwillnotsparetosaythatherriversarebutlittlebrooksincomparisonofGanges，Menam，Mekongandtherest，andthattheTyrrhenianandtheAdriaticSeasarebutgulletsinrespectoftheocean。AndofconsequenceourtradeandtrafficisbutpoorinrespectofthemartsandfairsofCanton，Malacca，Calicut，Ormuz，Lisbon，Sevilleandothercitiesthatboundupontheocean。
LetusaddtotheaforesaidthatthedifferenceandenmitybetweentheMohammedansandusdeprivethusinamannerofthecommerceofAfrica，andofthemostpartofthetradeoftheLevant。Again，thechiefestpartsofItaly，thatis，theKingdomofNaplesandtheDukedomofMilanaresubjecttotheKingofSpain。Theotherstatesaremean，andmeanalsothechiefestoftheircities。Butitistimewenowreturnfromwhencewehavedigressedlong。
Theresidenceofprincesissopowerfulandsomightyasitaloneissufficientenoughtosetupandformacityatatrice。
InEthiopia（FrancisAlvarezwriteth）thereisnotatown（althoughthecountrybeverylarge）thatcontainethaboveathousandandsixhundredhouses，andthatofthisgreatnesstherearebutfew。Forallthattheking（calledbythemtheGreatNegus，andfalselybyusthePresterJohn）whohathnosettledresidencerepresentethwithhisonlycourtamightygreatcity，forasmuchaswhereverhebeheshadowethwithaninnumerablesightoftentsandpavilionsmanymilesofthecountry。
InAsia，thecitiesofaccounthavebeenallofthemtheseatsofprinces：Damascus，Antioch，Ankara，Trebizond，BusraandJerusalem。ButletuspassoverintoEurope。ThetranslatingoftheimperialseathedthegloryofRomeandmadeConstantinoplegreat，whichismaintainedinhergreatnessandmajestywiththeresidenceoftheGreatTurk。
Thiscitystandethinthefairest，thebestandmostcommodioussitethatisintheworld。ItisseatedinEurope，butAsiaisnotfromitabovefourhundredpaces。Itcommandethtwoseas，theEuxineandPropontis。TheEuxineSeacompassethtwothousandandsevenhundredmiles。ThePropontisstretchethmorethantwohundredmiles，eventillitjoinwiththeArchipelago。
Theweathercannotbesofoul，norsostormy，norsoblusteringasitcanhinderinamattertheshipsfromcomingwiththeirgoodstothatsamemagnificentandgallantcityineitherofthosetwoseas。Ifthiscityhadaroyalandanavigableriveritwouldlacknothing。Itisthirteenmilesaboutandthiscircuitcontainethaboutsevenhundredthousandpersons。
Buttheplaguemakesamightyslaughtereverythirdyearamongstthem。Buttosaytruth，seldomorneveristhatcityfreeoftheplague。Andhereuponisofferedagoodmatterworthytobeconsidered，howitcomestopassthatthatsamescourgetouchethitsonotablyeverythirdyearlikeatertianague（asinCairoitcometheveryseventh），especiallybecausethatcityisseatedinamosthealthfulplace。ButIwillputoffthisspeculationtoanothertime，orleaveittobediscussedbywitsmoreexercisedthereinthanmine。
TherearewithinConstantinoplesevenhills；neartheseasidetowardstheeastthereistheseragliooftheGreatTurk，whosewallsareincompassthreemiles；thereisanarsenalconsistingofmorethanonehundredarchestolaytheirshipsin。Toconclude，thecityisforthebeautyofthesite，fortheopportunityoftheports，forthecommodityofthesea，forthemultitudeoftheinhabitants，forthegreatnessofthetraffic，fortheresidenceoftheGreatTurk，soconspicuousandsogallant，aswithoutdoubtamongstthecitiesofEuropethechiefestplaceisduetoit。Fortheverycourtaloneofthatprincemaintainethofhorsemenandoffootmennotlessthanthirtythousandverywellappointed。InAfrica，Algiers，latelybecometheMetropolitanofagreatstate，isnowbythatmeansgrownverypopulous。Tlemsenwhenitflourishedcontainedsixteenthousandhouseholds，Tunisninethousand，Moroccoanhundredthousand，Fez，whichisatthisdaytheseatofthemightyKingofAfrica，containeththreescoreandfivethousand。
AmongstthekingdomsofChristendom（Ispeakoftheunited，andofonebody）thegreatest，therichestandmostpopulousisFrance。Foritcontainethtwenty—seventhousandparishes，includingParisinthem。Andthecountryhathabovefifteenmillionsofpeopleinit。Itisalsosofertilethroughthebenefitofnature，sorichthroughtheindustryofthepeople，asitenviethnotanyothercountry。TheresidenceofthekingsofsomightyakingdomhathforalongtimehithertobeenkeptatParis，bythemeanswhereofParisisbecomethegreatestcityofChristendom。Itisincompasstwelvemiles，andcontaineththereinaboutfourhundredandfiftythousandpersons，andfeedeththemwithsuchplentyofvictualsandwithsuchabundanceofalldelicateanddaintythingsashethathathnotseenitcannotbyanymeansimagineit。
ThekingdomsofEngland，ofNaples，ofPortugalandofBohemia，theearldomofFlandersandthedukedomofMilanarestates，inamanner，alikeofgreatnessandofpower；sothatthecitieswhereintheprincesofthosesamekingdomshaveatanytimemadetheirresidencehavebeeninamatteralsoalike，asLondon，Naples，Lisbon，Prague，MilanandGhent，whichhaveeachofthemasundermoreorlessanhundredandthreescorethousandpersonsinthem。ButLisbonisindeedsomewhatlargerthantherest，bymeansofthecommerceandtrafficofEthiopia，IndiaandBrazil，aslikewiseLondonisbymeansofthewarsandtroublesintheLowCountries。AndNaplesiswithinthesethirtyyearsgrownasgreatagainasitwas。
InSpainthereisnotacityofanysuchgreatness，partlybecauseithathbeentillnowoflatedividedintodiverslittlekingdoms，andpartlybecausethroughwantofnavigableriversitcannotbringsogreataquantityoffoodandvictualintooneplaceasmightmaintainthereinanextraordinarynumberofpeople。Thecitiesofmostmagnificencyandofgreatestreputationarethosewheretheancientkingsandprincesheldtheirseats，asBarcelona，Saragossa，Valencia，Cordova，Toledo，Burgos，Leon，allhonourablecitiesandpopulousenough，butyetsuchaspassnotthesecondrankofthecitiesofItaly。
OverandbesidestherestthereisGranada，wherealongtimetheMoorshavereignedandadornedthesamewithmanyrichandgoodlybuildings。Itissituatedpartuponthehillsandpartupontheplain。Thehillypartconsistethofthreehillsdividedeachfromother。Itaboundethofwaterofallsorts，withthewhichiswateredagreatpartofherpleasantandgoodlycountry，whichisbythemeansthereofsowellinhabitedandmanuredasnonecanbemore。
SevilleisincreasedmightilysincethediscoveryoftheNewWorld，forthithercomethefleetsthatbringuntothemyearlysomuchtreasureascannotbeesteemed。Itisincompassaboutsixmiles。Itcontainethfourscorethousandpersonsandabove。ItissituatedontheleftshoreoftheriverBetis，whichsomecallGuadalquivir。Itisbeautifiedwithfairandgoodlychurches，andwithmagnificentandgorgeouspalacesandbuildings。Thecountrythereaboutitisasfertileasitispleasant。
Valladolidisnotacity，butforallthatitmaycomparewiththenoblestcitiesinSpain，andthatbyreasonoftheresidencetheKingofSpainhathlongtimemadethereinit，asMadridisatthisdaymuchincreasedandcontinuallyincreasethbythecourtthatKingPhilipkeepeththere。Whichisofsuchefficacyandpowerasalthoughthecountrybeneitherplentifulnorpleasantitdothyetdrawsuchanumberofpeopletoitasithathmadethatplace，ofavillage，oneofthemostpopulousplacesnowofSpain。
CracowandVilnaarethemostpopulouscitiesofPoland。ThereasonisbecauseCracowwastheseatoftheDukeofPolandandVilnatheseatofthegreatDukeofLithuania。
IntheEmpireoftheMuscovitestherearethreegreatandfamouscities，Vladimir，thegreatNovgorod，andMoscow，whichhavegottentheirreputationbecausetheyhavebeenallthreeofthemtheseatsofgreatdukesandprincesofgreatdominions。ThemostrenownedofthematthisdayisMoscow，throughtheresidencetheDukeholdeththere。Itisinlengthfivemiles，butnotsowide。Thereisuntoitaverygreatcastlethatservesforacourtandpalacetothatsameprince，anditissopopulousthatsomehavereckoneditamongstthefourcitiesofthefirstandchiefestranksofEurope，whichtotheirjudgmentsareMoscowitself，Constantinople，ParisandLisbon。
InSicily，inancienttimespastthegreatestcitytherewasSyracusewhich，asCicerodothwrite，consistedoffourpartsdividedasunder，whichmightbesaidtobefourcities。Andthecauseofhergreatnesswastheresidenceofthekings，orofthetyrants（astheyweretermedintimespast），callthemasyouwill。ButwhenthecommercewiththeAfricansdidfailthemafterward，throughthedelugeoftheinfidels，andthattheroyalseatwasremovedtoPalermo，PalermodidthenincreaseapacehergloryandSyracusedidloseasfastherlustre。
PalermoisacityequaltothecitiesofthesecondrankofItaly，beautifiedwithrichtemplesandmagnificentpalaces，withdiversrelicsandgoodlybuildingsmadebytheSaracens。Buttwothingschieflymadeoflateareworthiesttobenoted。Theoneisthestreetmadethroughoutthewholecity，whichforstraightness，breadth，lengthandbeautifulnessofbuildingsissuchasIknownotinwhatcityofItalyamanshouldfindthelike。Theotheristhepier，edifiedwithaninestimableexpenseandcharge，bythebenefitwhereofthecityhathaverylargeandspaciousport：aworkintruthworthyoftheRomans’magnanimity。
ButwhatmeanItowanderthroughotherpartsoftheworldtoshowhowmuchitdothimportthegreatnessofacitytoresidenceandabodeofaprincetherein？Rome，whosemajestyexceededalltheworld，wouldshenotbemorelikeadesertthanacityifthePopeheldnothisresidencetherein？IfthePope，withthegreatnessofhiscourtandwiththeconcourseofambassadors，ofprelatesandofprincesdidnotennobleitandmakeitgreat？Ifwithaninfinitenumberofpeoplethatservebothhimandhisministershedidnotreplenishandfillthecity？Ifwithmagnificentbuildings，conduits，fountainsandstreetsitwerenotgloriouslyadorned？Ifamongstsomanyrichandstatelyworks，belongingaswelltoGod’sgloryastheserviceofthecommonwealthhespentnotthereagreatpartoftherevenuesoftheChurch？Andinaword，ifwithallthesemeanshedidnotdrawandentertainwithalsuchanumberofmerchants，tradesmen，shopkeepers，artificers，workmen，andsuchamultitudeofpeople，forlabourandforservice？
BookThree1。WhetheritbeexpedientforacitytohavefewormanycitizensTheancientfoundersofcities，consideringthatlawsandcivildisciplinecouldnotbeeasilyconservedandkeptwhereamightymultitudeofpeopleswarmed（formultitudesdobreedandbringconfusion）theylimitedthenumberofcitizensbeyondwhichtheysupposedtheformandorderofgovernmenttheysoughttoholdwithintheircitiescouldnotelsebemaintained。SuchwereLycurgus，SolonandAristotle。ButtheRomans，supposingpower（withoutwhichacitycannotbelongmaintained）consistethforthemostpartinthemultitudeofpeople，endeavouredallthewaysandmeanstheymighttomaketheircountrygreatandtoreplenishthesamewithstoreofpeople，aswehavebeforeandmoreatfulldeclaredinourbooksDellaRagiondiStato。
Iftheworldwouldbegovernedbyreason，andallmenwouldcontentthemselveswiththatwhichjustlydothbelonguntothem，haplythejudgmentoftheancientlaw—makerswereworthytobeembraced。Butexperienceshows，throughthecorruptionofhumannature，thatforceprevailsabovereason，andarmsabovelaws，andteachethusbesidestheopinionoftheRomansmustbepreferredbeforetheGrecians；inasmuchasweseetheAtheniansandtheLacedemonians（nottospeakofothercommonwealsoftheGrecians）cametopresentruinuponaverysmalldiscomfitureandlossofathousandandsevenhundredcitizensorlittlemorewhere，ontheotherside，theRomanstriumphedintheendthoughmanytimestheylostaninfinitenumberoftheirpeopleintheirattemptsandenterprises。ForitisclearmoreRomansperishedinthewarstheyhadagainstPyrrhus，theCarthaginians，Numantians，Viriathus，Sertoriusandothers，thanfellwithoutcomparisonofalltheirenemies。Andyetforallthattheyrestedalwaysconquerorsbymeansoftheirunexhaustedmultitude，withthewhich，supplyingtheirlossfromtimetotime，theyovercametheirenemiesasmuch，thoughtheywerestrongandfierce，aswiththeirfortitudeandstrength。IntheseformerbooksIhavesufficientlydeclaredthewaysandmeanswherebyacitymayincreasetothatmagnificencyandgreatnessthatistobedesired，sothatIhavenofurthertospeakthereunto，butonlytopropoundonethingmorethatIhavethoughtupon，notforthenecessitysomuchofthematterasthatbecauseIthinkitwillbeanornamentuntothework，andgiveaverygoodlightuntoit。
Andthereforeletusnowconsider。
2。WhatthereasonisthatcitiesoncegrowntoagreatnessincreasenotonwardaccordingtothatproportionLetnomanthinkthewaysandmeansaforesaid，oranyotherthatmaybeanywaydevised，canworkoreffectitthatacitymaygooninincreasewithoutceasing。AndthereforeitisintruthathingworththeconsiderationhowitcomestoPassthatcitiesgrowntoapointofgreatnessandpowerpassnofurther，buteitherstandatthatstay，orelsereturnbackagain。LetustakeforourexampleRome。
Rome，atherbeginning，whenshewasfoundedandbuiltbyRomulus（asDionysiusofHalicarnassuswriteth）wasabletomakeoutthreethousandthreehundredfitmenforthewars。Romulusreignedthirty—sevenyears，withinthecompassofwhichtimethecitywasincreasedeventoforty—seventhousandpersonsfittobeararms。AboutonehundredandfiftyyearsafterthedeathofRomulus，inthetimeofServiusTullius，therewerenumberedinRomeeightythousandpersonsfitforarms。Thenumberintheend，bylittleandlittle，grewtofourhundredandfiftythousand。
Myquestionthereforeis，howitcomestopassthatfromthreethousandandthreehundredmenofwarthepeoplegrewtofourhundredandfiftythousand，andfromfourhundredandfiftythousandtheywentnofurther。Andinlikematter，sinceitisfourhundredyearssinceMilanandVenicemadeasmanypeopleastheydoatthisday，howitdothalsocometopassthatthemultiplicationgoesnotonwardaccordingly。
Someanswerthecausehereofistheplagues，thewars，thedearthsandothersuchlikecauses。Butthisgivesnosatisfaction。Forplagueshaveeverbeen，andwarshavebeenmorecommonandmorebloodyinformertimesthannow。Forinthosedaystheycametohandstrokesbyandby，andtoamainpitchedbattleinthefield，wheretherewerewithinthreeorfourhoursmorepeopleslainthanareinthesedaysinmanyyears。Forwarisnowdrawnoutofthefieldtothewalls，andthemattockandthespadearenowmoreusedthanthesword。Theworldbesideswasneverwithoutalterationandchangeofplentyandofdearth，ofhealthandofplagues。thereofIshallnotneedtobringexamples，becausethehistoriesarefull。Nowifcitieswithalltheseaccidentsandchancesbegunatfirstwithafewpeopleincreasetoagreatnumberofinhabitants，howcomesitthatproportionablytheydonotincreaseaccordingly？
SomeotherssayitisbecauseGodtheGovernorofallthingsdothsodispose。Nomandothdoubtofthat；butforasmuchastheinfinitewisdomofGod，intheadministrationandthegovernmentofnature，workethsecondarycauses，myquestioniswithwhatmeansthatEternalProvidencemakethlittletomultiply，andmuchtostandatastayandgonofurther。
NowtoanswerthispropoundedquestionIsay，theselfsamequestionmaybealsomadeofallmankind，forasmuchaswithinthecompassofthreethousandyearsitmultipliedinsuchsortfromonemanandonewomanastheprovincesofthewholecontinentandtheislandsoftheseawerefullofpeople。thenceitdothproceedthatfromthosethreethousandyearstothisdaythismultiplicationhathnotexceededfurther。
NowthatImaythebetterresolvethisdoubtIpurposetoanswerit，asmineanswermaynotonlyserveforthecities，butalsofortheuniversaltheatreoftheworld。
Isaythen，thattheaugmentationofcitiesproceedethpartlyoutofthevirtuegenerativeofmen，andpartlyoutofthevirtuenutritiveofthecities。Thevirtuegenerativeiswithoutdoubttothisdaytheverysame，oratleastsuchasitwasbeforethreethousandyearswerepassed，forasmuchasmenareatthisdayasaptforgenerationastheywereinthetimesofDavidorofMoses。Sothatiftherewerenootherimpedimentorlettherein，thepropagationofmankindwould。increasewithoutend，andtheaugmentationofcitieswouldbewithoutterm。AndifitdonotincreaseininfiniteImustneedssayitproceedethofthedefectofnutrimentandsustenancesufficientforit。
Nownutrimentandvictualsaregotteneitheroutoftheterritoriesbelongingtothecityoroutofforeigncountries。Tohaveacitygreatandpopulousitisnecessarythatvictualsmaybebroughtfromfaruntoit。Andthatvictualsmaybebroughtfromremoteandforeignpartsuntoititbehovesthathervirtueattractivebeofsuchpowerandstrengthasitbeabletoovercomethehardnessandthesharpnessoftheregions，theheightofthemountains，thedescentofthevalleys，theswiftnessoftherivers，therageoftheseas，thedangersofthepirates，theuncertaintyofthewinds，thegreatnessofthecharge，theevilpassageoftheways，theenvyoftheborderingneighbours，thehatredofenemies，theemulationofcompetitors，thelengthofthetimethatisrequiredfortransportation，thedearthsandnecessitiesoftheplacesfromwhencetheymustbebrought，thenaturaldissensionofnations，thecontrarietyofsectsandopinionsinreligion，andothersuchlikethings，allwhichincreaseasthepeopleincreaseandtheaffairsofthecity：toconclude，thatitgrowtobesomightyandsogreatasitcanovercomeallthediligenceandalltheindustrythatmancanusewhatsoever。Forhowshallmerchantsbepersuadedtheycanbringcorn，forexample，outoftheIndiesorCathaytoRome，ortheRomansexpecttohaveitthence？Butadmitthateitherofthemcouldsopersuadethemselves，whocanyetassurethemtheseasonswillbealwaysgoodforcorn，thatthepeoplestandtopeaceandquietness，thatthepassagesbeopenandthewaysbesafe？OrwhatformorwhatcoursecanbetakentobringprovisiontoRomebysolongawaybyland，insuchsortandmannerastheconductorsthereofmaybeabletoendurethetravelandtowieldthechargethereof？Nowanyoneoftheseimpedimentsorlets，withoutaddingmoretooverthwartandcrossitmore，isenoughtodissipateandscatterquiteasunderthepeopleofacitydestituteofhelpandsubjecttosomanyaccidentsandchances。
Evenonedearth，onefamine，oneviolenceofwar，oneinterruptionorstayoftradeandtraffic，onecommonlosstothemerchants，orothersuchlikeaccidentwillmake（aswinterdoththeswallows）thepeopletoseekanothercountry。
Theordinarygreatnessofacityconsistethintheseterms，withwhichitcanhardlybecontented。Forthegreatnessthatdependethuponremotecausesorhardmeanscannotlongendure。
Foreverymanwillseekhiscommodityandeasewherehemayfinditbest。Wemustalsoaddtothesethingsaforesaidthatgreatcitiesaremoresubjectuntodearthsthanthelittle，fortheyneedmoresustenanceandvictuals。Theplaguealsoafflicteththemmoresurelyandmoreoften，withgreaterlossofpeople。Andtospeakinaword，greatcitiesaresubjecttoallthedifficultiesandhardnesswehavebeforedeclaredbecausetheyneedagreatdealmore。
Sothat，althoughmenwereasapttogenerationintheheightandprideoftheRomans，greatnessasinthefirstbeginningthereof，yetforallthatthepeopleincreasednotproportionably。Forthevirtuenutritiveofthatcityhadnopowertogofurther，sothatinsuccessoftimetheinhabitants，findingmuchwantandlessmeanstosupplytheirlackofvictual，eitherforbaretomarryor，iftheydidmarry，theirchildrenoppressedwithpenury，theirparentsaffordingthemnorelief，fledtheirowncountryandsoughtabroadforbetterfortune。TothewhichinconveniencetheRomanswillingtoprovidearemedy，theymadechoiceofanumberofpoorcitizensandsentthemintocolonies，where，liketreestransplanted，theymighthavemoreroomtobetterthemselvesbothinconditionandcommodity，andbythatmeansincreaseandmultiplythefaster。
Bytheselfsamereasonmankindgrowntoacertaincompletenumberhathgrownnofurther。Anditisthreethousandyearsagoneandmorethattheworldwasreplenishedasfullwithpeopleasitisatthispresent，forthefruitsoftheearthandtheplentyofvictualdothnotsufficetofeedagreaternumber。InMesopotamiamankinddidfirstbegintopropagate。Fromthencebysuccessoftimeitincreasedandspreadapacedailybothfarandnearandhavingreplenishedthefirmlandtheytransportedthemselvesintotheislandsofthesea；andsofromourcountiestheyhaveatlengtharrivedbylittleandlittletothecountieswecalltheNewWorld。Andwhatisthereunderthesunthatdothmakeman，withmorehorribleeffusionofblood，tofightfor，andwithmorecruelty，thantheearth，foodandcommodityofhabitation？TheSueviansaccounteditanhonourandaglorytothemtobringtheirconfinesbymanyhundredmilesintoawasteandwilderness。IntheNewWorld，intheisleofSt。Dominicandthebordersthereabout，thepeoplechaseandhuntmenaswedodeerandhares。ThelikedomanyofthepeopleofBrazil，especiallytheywhomwecallAymores，whotearinpiecesanddevouryoungboysandyounggirlsalive，andopenthebelliesofthewomengreatwithchild，andtakethecreaturesout，andinthepresenceandsightofthefathersthemselveseatthemroasteduponthecoals——amosthorriblethingtohear，muchmoretoseeit。
ThepeopleofGuineaforthemostpartlivesopoorandneedyastheydailyselltheirownchildrenforveryvilepricetotheMoors，whocarrythemintoBarbary，andtothePortugals，whosendthemtotheirislands，orsellthemtotheCastiliansfortheNewWorld。ThepeopleofPerudothelike，whoforlittlemorethannothinggivetheirchildrentothemwillhavethem，whichproceedethofmisery，andoftheimpotencytheyhavetobringthemupandtomaintainthem。TheTartarsandtheArabiansliveuponstealthandrapine；theNasamoniandtheCafri，themostsavageandbarbarouspeopleofallEthiopia，liveuponthespoilsofothers’shipwrecks，asthePortugalshavemanytimesfelt。
ItisalsoathingknowntoallmenhowofttheFrench，theDutch，theGoths，theHuns，theAvari，theTartarsanddiversothernations，unablethroughtheirinfinitemultitudeofpeopletoliveintheirowncountries，havelefttheirconfinesandpossessedthemselveswithothermen’scountries，totheutterruinanddestructionoftheinhabitantstherein。HenceitcametopassthatwithinfewagesalltheprovincesofEuropeandofAsiabecamepossessed，inamanner，ofstrangepeople，fledandrunoutoftheircountiesandhabitationseitherforthemightymultitudeofpeopletheircountrycouldnotsustain，orfordesiretheyhadtoleadamorecommodiousandeasylifeelsewhere，ingreaterplentyofgoodthings。
Themultitudeagainofthievesandmurderers，whencedothit，Iprayyou，forthemostpartgrow，butofnecessityandwant？
Differences，suitsandquarrels，whencedotheyproceedbutoutofthestraitnessandthescantnessofconfines，boundaries，ditches，hedgesandenclosureswhichmenmakeabouttheirfarmsandmanors？Watchmenofthevineyardsandofripefruits，gates，locks，boltsandmastiffskeptaboutthehouse，whatdotheyargueelsebutthattheworldishardandeitherministrethnotsufficienttoournecessitiesorsatisfiethnotourgreedycovetousdesires？AndwhatshallIrememberarmsofsomanykindsandofsocruelsorts，whatshallIspeakofcontinualwarsbothonseaandland，thatbringethallthingsuntoutterruin，whatoffortsonpassages，whatofgarrisons，bulwarksandmunition？
Neitherdoththislakeofmischiefscontainall，forImustaddtothesethebarrennessofsoils，thescarcityanddearthsofvictual，theevilinfluenceoftheair，thecontagiousanddangerousdiseases，theplagues，theearthquakes，theinundationsbothofseasandrivers，andsuchotheraccidentswhichdestroyandoverthrownowacity，nowakingdom，nowapeople，nowsomeotherthing，andaretheletandstaythatthenumberofmencannotincreaseandgrowimmoderately。
3。OfthecausesthatdoconcernthemagnificencyandgreatnessofacityItnowonlyresteth，havingbroughtourcitytothatdignityandgreatnesswhichtheconditionofthesiteandothercircumstancesafforduntoit，thatwelabourtoconserve，tomaintainandupholdthedignityandgreatnessofthesame。Andtospeakallataword，thesehelpsmayverywellservetodoit：
thatis，justice，peace，andplenty。Forjusticeassuretheverymanhisown。Peacecausethtillage，tradeandartstoflourish。
Andplentyoffoodandvictualsustaineththelifeofmanwitheaseandmuchcontentmenttohim。Andthepeopleembracenothingmoregladlythanplentyofcorn。Toconclude，allthosethingsthatcausethegreatnessofacityarealsofittoconservethesame。Forthecauses，aswelloftheproductionofthingsasalsooftheconservationofthem，areeveralloneandthesame，whatsoevertheybe。