But this we can talk about when you come over to England, and we see what position you are occupying here.
"I fear that Venice is about to enter upon a period of great difficulty and danger.

There can be little doubt that Genoa, Padua, and Hungary are leagued against her; and powerful as she is, and great as are her resources, they will be taxed to the utmost to carry her through the dangers that threaten her.

However, I have faith in her future, and believe that she will weather the storm, as she has done many that have preceded it.
"Venice has the rare virtue of endurance--the greatest dangers, the most disastrous defeats, fail to shake her courage, and only arouse her to greater efforts.

In this respect she is in the greatest contrast to her rival, Genoa, who always loses heart the moment the tide turns against her.

No doubt this is due, in no slight extent, to her oligarchic form of government.