higher ground) what should be the reason of such haste, the
council upon the return of the ambassadors imparted letters to
the Senate, whereby it appeared that the Turks had newly launched
a formidable fleet against their State, which, had it been
understood by the Florentines, it was well enough known they
would have made no peace. Wherefore the service of the Ten was
highly applauded by the Senate, and celebrated by the Venetians.
Whereby may appear not only in part what use there is of
dictatorian power in that government, but that it is assumed at
the discretion of that Council; whereas in this of Oceana it is
not otherwise intrusted than when the Senate, in the election of
nine knights-extraordinary, gives at once the commission, and
takes security in a balance, added to the Council of War, though
securer before by the tribunes of the people than that of Venice,
which yet never incurred jealousy; for if the younger nobility
have been often girding at it, that happened not so much through
the apprehension of danger in it to the commonwealth, as through
the awe of it upon themselves. Wherefore the graver have
doubtlessly shown their prudence in the law whereby the
magistracy of these councillors being to last till' their
successors be created, the council is established."

The instructions of the councils for their matter being
shown, it remains that I show the instructions for the manner of
their proceeding, as they follow in --

The twentieth order, "Containing the method of debates to be
observed by the magistrates and the councils successively in
order to a decree of the Senate.