The nobles, by reason of their ancient dignity and splendid possessions, took counsel together over state matters, and then, appearing at the assembly, deliberated with the deputies of the cities.
The cities had mainly one form of government--a college of counsellors; or wise men, 40, 32, 28, or 24 in number, of the most respectable out of the whole community.

They were chosen for life, and vacancies were supplied by the colleges themselves out of the mass of citizens.

These colleges alone governed the city, and that which had been ordained by them was to be obeyed by all the inhabitants--a system against which there had never been any rebellion.

The colleges again, united with those of the nobles, represented the whole state, the whole body of the population; and no form of government could be imagined, they said, that could resolve, with a more thorough knowledge of the necessities of the country, or that could execute its resolves with more unity of purpose and decisive authority.

To bring the colleges into an assembly could only be done by means of deputies.