Reasons for stability of Venetian Government—
1. Coincidence of theoretical and practical Sovereignty in the same hands.
2. Adaptability of the Constitution, e.g. gradual assumption of power by Senate, and then by the Ten.
3. Strength of the Executive which excited no jealousy.
4. Impartiality of Justice.
5. Provision made for nobles in Government of Dependencies, for the middle class in civil service and commerce, for the lower classes in the fleet.
6. Large alien Population who did not want political power, but to be judged fairly, taxed lightly, and find employment.
For the imperial Institution, see pp. [106], [145].
For the Spanish Constitution, see pp. [92], [299].
[87] The College decided whether the offender should be tried by the Council or the Senate. If he was accused of treason, the case went to the Council of Ten.