29 he describes the population of Venice as divided into 'Popolari,' or plebeians, exercising small industries, and so forth: 'Cittadini,' or the middle class, born in the state, and of more importance than the plebeians; 'Gentiluomini,' or masters of Venice by sea and land, about 3,000 in number, corresponding to the burghers of Florence.
What he says about the Constitution refers solely to this upper class.

The elaborate work of M.Yriarte, _La Vie d'un Patricien de Venise an Seizieme Siecle_, Paris, 1874, contains a complete analysis of the Venetian state-machine.

See in particular what he says about the helplessness of the Doges, ch.xiii.

'Rex in foro, senator in curia, captivus in aula,' was a current phrase which expressed the contrast between their dignity of parade and real servitude.

They had no personal freedom, and were always ruined by office.