not stamped, but in bullion, deposited there of old by queen Dido, coming from Tyrus." This was over-lightly credited; the orators and poets made it the subject of their declamations and recital to the people; the galleys were sent to fetch it, but returned empty of any thing but shame and obloquy; and, as Tacitus observes, the expectation of riches was amongst the causes of the public poverty, 6. Aminocles the Magnesian, whilst he was busying himself in digging and turning up the earth, found divers cups and vessels of silver and gold, and much treasure which in times past had been there hidden by the Persians. CHAP. XXXI. Of the Election and Inauguration of THE safety and prosperity of the people is highly concerned in the ability and integrity of that person in whose hands they shall intrust the government; and therefore, in places where the supreme ruler is elective, they manage their choice of him with such wisdom, that if possible, they may not be imposed upon; and then install him with that ceremony and solemnity, as they conceive may best conduce to establish his authority, and beget a due reverence to his person; without which he can do them little service. 1. Contarenus describes the electlon of the duke of Venice in this manner Upon the vacancy all the gentry above thirty sears of age assemble; a number of these cast their names into a pot, and in another are just so many balls, whereof thirty only are gilt; then a child draw th for each, till the thirty gilt ones be drawn, for which thirty the child draweth a second time, out of another pot that hath only nine gile balls. The nine so drawn nominate forty, out of which forty twelve are again selected by the same kind of lot; these twelve nominate twenty-five, out of which nine are again by lot set apart; these nine nominate forty-five, who are by lot reduced again to eleven; these eleven choose forty-one of the senate, of the best and principal rank. These forty-one, after every one hath tied himself by solemn oath, to choose whom they hall think most worthy, the scrolls are mingled together, and then drawn: the fitness of the person thus drawn is discussed, and he who hath most voices above twentyfive is the man whom they pronounce to be elected, and adjudge him to be created duke, with all solemnities. 2. It is a strange custom which the archdukes of Austria use, when they first enter upon the possession of the dukedom of Carinthia; for, not far from the town of St. Vitus (in a valley where there are yet seen the ruins of a great city, the name of which is now lost to the memory of man), there is a great stone: upon the day that the duke comes to take possession of that dutchy, a countryman chosen by lot mounts the stone, and stands betwixt a lean cow and a mare, surrounded with a multitude of rustics. The duke of Austria descends into the valley, clothed in a country-habit, whom very many of the princes of that country resort unto armed, and with ensigns, amongst whom the earl of Gori.ia has the chief place. The countryman perceiving at a great distance the coming of the prince, as one that gas scized with wonder (in the Litur an tongue which they use), demands of the rustics about him, "Who that is, that with so proud a port, walk, and equipage, is coming towards him?" They tell him, that "it is the prince of the country." The countryman demands again, if "he be a just judge?" if "he have a care of the common safety of the country?" if he be a servant or freeman ?" if "worthy of that honour?" and, if he be a true Christian?" Which when they that are about him have affirmed, he ag in (5) Morrice of Common Right, p. 94.—(6.) Textor. Officin. lib. 2. c. 28. p. 98. (1.) lowel's Repub. of Venice, p. 34. Zuing. Theatr. vol. 3. 1. 4. p. 720. decad. 1., Eeyl. Cosm. p. 127. Sabellic. 1. 9. asks, asks, "By what right he will drive him from that stone"" Then the earl of Goritia, being now come near, replies, "He will drive thee away by the gift of sixty crowns, and of those cattle that are by thee; he will free thee and thy family from all public burdens; and besides, thou shalt have those princely robes which he hath laid by The countryman, at the hearing of this, giving the prince a gentle blow upon the chee.., admonishes him, that he be just," and taking the catte that were by him, returns home. The prince leaps upon the stone, and brandishes his drawn sword, and promises that he will administer justice to all that desire it ;" and so descending, he goes to the temple, and takes upon him his princely robes and office After he hath feasted, he ascends a tribunal that is placed for him in the fields, and there hears all the complaints of the people. keeps the key. At this hole the cardinals servants receive their meat, every dish being first diligently searched, lest any letters should be conveyed in them. As for the lodgings, they have neither holes nor windows to give light; so that there they make day of wax-candles. And lest the pope should be made by force, both the city and conclave are strongly guarded. When the cardinals are going to election, the privileges of the cardinals are recited, which every one sweareth to observe, in case he be chosen pope. Then the master of the ceremonies ringing a bell, calleth them to mass which ended, there is brought to every cardinal a chair, and therein a scroll of all the cardinals names. Before the altar itself is set a table covered with a purple cloth, whereupon is set a chalice and a silver bell, and about it six stools, on which sit two cardinal-bishops, two cardinalpriests, and two cardinal-deacons. Every cardinal writeth his vote in a piece of paper, goeth to the altar, prayeth God to guide him in the e'ection, putteth his vote into the chalice, and departeth to his seat. The first bishop taketh out all the papers, and delivereth them to the first deacon; who unfoldeth each of them, readeth (without mentioning the name of the elector) the name of the elected; and every cardinal, in his particular scroll, noteth how many votes every one hath. The account being made, the first priest having the like scroll, pronounceth who hath most votes: which done, the priest ringeth the silver bell, at which call the master of the ceremonies brings in a pan of coals, and burns all the little papers wherein the names of the elected were written. He that hath the most 8. The election of the pope is made most commonly in this manner: In the pope's palace, on the Hill Vatican, are, amongst other buildings, five halls, two chapels, and a gallery seventy feet long the gallery is appointed for conference, one chapel for the mass and for the election, the other with the halls, are for the cardinal s lodgings: every hall hath two rows of chambers, which are purpose'y for the time, made of green or violet cloth. To each cardinal is allowed four servants to lie in his chamber. They who are once within are compelled, unless they are sick, still to contine there; and such as are once out, are no more permitted to go in; est by that means the cardinals shot maintain intelligence with any foreign princes. To this conclave (for by this name theotes (so that his votes exceed the propor place of election is called) is but one door, to which belong four locks and as many keys: one key is in the keeping of the cardinals, one of the city bishops, one of the Roman nobility, and one of the master of the ceremonies. There is in this door a wicket or hatch, which is opened only at dinners and suppers, whereof the master of the ceremonies tion of two parts of three) is acknowledged pope, and adored by the rest of the cardinals; but it they excced not this number, they must begin all anew. If in the space of thirty days the elec tion be not fully ended, then must the cardinals be kept from fire, light, and victuals till they are fully agreed. The . wicket, which we before mentioned, is (2.) Fulgos. Ex. 1. 2. c. 1 p. 226. Zaing. Theatr. vol 3.1. 4. p. 719. Petr. Greg. de Repub, I. 7. e. 15. § 16. p. 269. called called the golden gate, at which stand an infinite number of poor people, on whom the new pope, having opened the gate, bestoweth his fatherly benediction, and remitteth to them all their sins. Then striketh he continually on the same door with a golden mallet, which while he is doing, workmen without break it open. The chips, stones, dust and dirt, which fall from the gate, while it is opening, are gathered and preserved as choicest reliques, and the golden mallet is usually given to that cardinal who is in most grace with the new pope. brother, or his next kinsman, succeeds: but before he is admitted to the exercise of full regality, they bind him at his house, and lead him bound to the palace; there they whip him; after which be is loosed; then they attire and lead him to the judgment-seat, where the eldest counsellor makes an oration concerning his right and duty: which ended, he puts a hatchet into his hand, which they use in executions; and after this, all acknowledge their subjection to him. 6. The Seminaries (or Alberges) of Malta are seven; France in general, Auvergne, Provence, Castile, Arrapon, Italy, and Germany; over every one of which they have a grand prior. An eighth Seminary they had in England, till the suppression of it by king Henry the Eighth; yet they have one to whom they give the title. They have sixteen amongst them of great authority, called the great crosses. The election of their moster is performed in this manner: The several Seminaries nominate two knights, and two also are nominated for the Faglish. These sixteen from amongst themselves choose eight; these eight choose a knight, a priest, and a friarservant; and they out of the sixteen great crosses, elect the grand master. The grand master being thus chosen, is styled, the most illustrious and most reverend prince the lord friar N. N. grand master of the hospital of Sant Jolin at Jerusalem, prince of Malta, Gaul, and Gosa. 4. The Tartarians, when they choose and elect their prince, they meet together in a large field, and then they set him in a stately throne richly gilded, and placed in the view of all that are then present; and falling down before him, they all proclaim after this sort, and with one consent : "We beseech, we will and command that thou bear rule over us." Then their new king who is chosen answereth, "If you will have this done of me, it i necessary that you be ready to do all that I shall command you; when I call, to come; and wheresoever I send, to go; and to commit and put the whole rule into our hands." When they have answered, "We be ready;' he saith again, "Therefore my word shall be my sword." Then all the people clap their hands with great rejoicing. Then the noblemen take him from the regal seat, and make him to sit softly upon a cushion or carpet upon the ground, saying thus: "Look up and acknow- 7. The electors of the emperor of Gerledge thy God; and look downward to many are six; the archbishops of Mentz, the cushion whereon thou sittest. If Cologn, and Trics, the count Palatine of thou dost govern and rule well, thou the Rhine, the duke of Saxony, and the shalt have all things according to thy de- marquis of Brandenburg: upon equality sire; but if thou dost ill, thou shalt be of voices the king of Bohemia comes in brought so low and so bare, that this for a seventh, The election is usually small cushion whereon thou sittest shall celebrated at Frankfort on the Main, not be left thee." At which saying where the electors meet on the day apthey adjoin unto him his dearest and pointed by the archbishop of Mentz, as best-beloved wife; and lifting them both chancellor of the empire. Being met, up with the cushion, they salute them they go into St. Bartholomew's church, as their emperor and head. where, after high mass is said, the three spiritual electors laying their hands upon their breasts, and the, temporal 5. When the king of the Cumbæ and Capi (a people in Guinea) dies, his son, (3) Heyl. Cosm. p. 112, 113.—(4) Lithgow's Travels, part 9. p. 422.-(5.) Purch. Pilg. tem. 1. l. 6. c. 14, § 1. p. 809.—(6.) Heyl. Cosm. p. 964, princes princes on the book, make oath to choose a fit and temporal head for the people of Christendom. It in thirty days they are not agreed, then must they have no other allowance but bread and water, nor may they go out of the city till necessity compel them to agree. Being at last resolved on and declared, the prince so elected is presently saluted by the title of king of the Romans, not usually that of emperor, till he has received the crown at the hands of the pope. CHAP. XXXII. Of the Games and Plays of sundry Nations, by whom they were instituted and when. THE troubles and cares of human life are so many and so great, that the spirit would fail under the weight and burdeu of them, should there not be something mirthful and pleasant found out, wherewith to counterbalance and take off the heaviness of them. All nations, therefore, have thought it meet to make necessary provision of certain diverting recreations, on purpose to recreate and renew the decayed and almost exhausted vigour of the mind, and to sweeten the acerbities of the painful pilgrimage of their present life. 1. The Nemaan games were so called from Nemea, where Hercules killed the dreadful lion which annoyed the whole oountry. In honour of which noble act were instituted, in time following, the games aforesaid, which continued of great fame in Greece for many ages. The exercises were, running with swift horses, whorlebats, running on foot, quoiting, wrestling, darting and shooting celebrated first in honour of Opheltes, afterwards by Hercules in honour of Jupiter; the crown of the victor at first was (7.) Heyl. Cosm. p. 481. (1.) Heyl. Cosm. p. 585. P. 579. a branch of olive, afterwards a garland of ivy. 2. The Olympic games were instituted by Hercules in honour of Jupiter, and celebrated on the plains of the city Olympia, in the country of Elis, A. M. 2757. The exercises in them were for the most part bodily, as running in chariots, running on foot, wrestling, fighting with whorlebats, and the like; but so, that there repaired thither orators. poets, and musicians, and all that thought themselves excellent in any quality, to make trial of their several abilities. The rewards given the victor were only garlands of palm, or such slight remembrances; and yet the Greeks no less esteemed that small sign of conquest, than the Romans did their most magnificent triumphs; those who were conquerors herein, being met by the principal men of the city in which or under which they lived, and a passage broken in the main walls thereof for their reception. Crotona, a city of the higher Calabria, was once so famous for this, that one year all the victors in these games were of that city. They were celebrated once in five years; he who had been victor the third time had his statue erected, agreeable to his own features and proportion, which the Greeks call Icones. 3. In the Isthmus, near the city of Corinth, were celebrated yearly the Isthmian games, ordained by Theseus in honour of Neptune, in imitation of the Olympic devised by Hercules in honour of Jupiter. The exercises were much the same, and the reward no other than a garland of oaken boughs; yet drawing yearly a mighty confluence of people to them. These games were first celebrated by Sisyphus in honour of Melicerta, and the masteries were performed in the night; but being interrupted through the robberies of Scyron and Sinnis, in dread of whom all strangers feared to come, they were renewed and restored by Benedict. de Pindar. Nemeor. timulo, p. 437.-2.) Heyl. Cosm. Plin. Nat. Hist 1. 34. c. 4. p. 489. Benedict. in Pindar. Proem. Diod. Sicul. Rer. Antiq. 1. 4. c. 4. p. 121. Theseus, Theseus, who had overcome the robbers; by him they were ordered to be in the day. They were celebrated every fifth year, says Pliny and Solinus; but Pindar himself saith, they were kept every third year. 4. The Pythian games were instituted in honour of Apollo, and celebrated not only at Delphos, but also among the Magnetes, Sicyonians, and others. They were of great reputation amongst the Greeks, more antient than the Isthmian, and not so old as the Olympic. The death of the serpent Python is supposed to have been the first occasion of them. The assembly to them was in the beginning of the spring, at first every ninth year, and afterwards every fifth. The same exercises were here as in the Olympic; the reward various, at first a laurel; Theseus made it a garland of palm, Eurylochus appointed it should be of money. 5. The Scenick plays at Rome, so called from Scena. The first institution of them was occasioned by reason of a great pestilence, which by no medicinal help could be removed. The Romans then superstitiously conceiting, that some new games or sports being found out, the wrath of the gods would thereby be averted; they thereupon, about the four hundredth year from the building of Rome, sent for certain stage players out of Hetruria, which they call Histrionis, from the Hetrurian word Hister, which signifies a player. 6. The Ludi Compitales in Rome, were such as usually were solemnized in Compitis, that is in the cross-ways and streets. Servius Tullius, who succeeded Tarquin in the kingdom, was the first that instituted these solemn games in honour of the household gods or familiar spirits; he himself being thought to be begotten by one of these genii or goblins. 7. The old Romans, at the expulsion of their kings, annually solemnized the Fugalia, according to which pattern the joyful English, having cleared their (3.) Heyl Cosm. p. 536. country of the Danes, instituted the an nual sports of Hocktide; the word in their old tongue (the Saxon) importing the time of scorning or triumphing. This solemnity consisted of the merry-meetings of the neighbours, in those days during which the festival lasted, and were celebrated by the younger sort of both sexes with all manner of exercises and pastimes in the streets, even as Shrove-tide yet is. But now time hath so corrupted it, that, the name excepted, there remaineth no sign of the first institution. 8. Lactantius speaking of the plays called Floralia: “ They are made," saith he, "with all dissoluteness, and fitly correspond with the memory of the infamous harlot that erected them. For, besides the lasciviousness of words in which all obscenity overfloweth, at the request of the people the common harlots are stript stark naked, and brought upon the stage, where, in open view, they exercise all the wanton gestures and motions of their trade, till the beholders have glutted their lustful eyes with such shews." 9. The Athenians having overcome the Persians under the conduct of Themistocles, did ordain by a particular law, that from thenceforth annually, upon a certain day, there should be a fighting of cocks exhibited in the public theatre; the occasion of which was this: When Themistocles had drawn out the city forces to fight against the Barbarians, he saw two cocks tighting, which he beheld with earnestness; and having shewed them to his whole army, "Yet these," said he, "do not undergo this danger, either for their household-gods, or for the monuments of their ancestors; they fight neither for glory nor for liberty, nor the safety of their children; but only because the one will not be inferior, or give place to the other." By this means he mightily confirmed the minds of the Athenians; and thereupon what had once been to them so strong an incitement to virtue, Benedict. de Pindar. Isthm. tit. p. 655. Plin. 1. 4. c. 5. p. 74. Pind. Nem. 3. epist. 2. p. 564.-(4.) Benedict. de Pind Isth. tit. p. 245 (5.) Val. Max. l. 2. c. 4. p. 40. God. Rom. Antiq. 1. 23 c. 2. p. 69.-6. Ibid. p. 68. Plin. Nat. Hist. 1. 36. c. 27. p. 599.— (7., Heyl. Cosm. p 318.-(8.) Lactan. Institut. 1. 1. c. 20. p.-05. they |