Still, you are to be congratulated upon the grant, because being the recipient of a pension, for distinguished services, will add to your weight and influence in the city.

And so long as you do not need it--and no man can say what may occur, in the course of years, to hinder the trade of Venice--you can bestow the sum annually upon the poor of the city, and thus increase your popularity." "I shall be happy to do that, signor," Francis said, "although it seems to me that popularity is of little value in Venice.

It has not saved the man whom, a short time since, the people hailed as their father, from unmerited disgrace and imprisonment." "It has not, Francisco, but it has saved his life.

You may take my word for it, that the proposal, absolutely made in the council, for the execution of Pisani, would have been voted had it not been for fear of the people; and it may be that you will yet see, that the voice of the people will bring Pisani from his prison, long before the expiration of his term of imprisonment.

Popularity is not to be despised, for it is a great power.