Page:The Voyage Of Italy Or A Compleat Journey through Italy, The Second Part.pdf/149

 deed the King of Spain Philip the II above a hundred years ago, borrowed of this Republick the sum of eleven Millions, and keeps them still in his hands, to keep this Republick in awe; yet paying the interest duly unto them. So that the Common purse here is nothing so rich as that of Venice, though the particular men here are farr richer then those of Venice. They have great Trading both with France and Spain, and are great Banquiers, making the Change in all the Bancks of Europe go as they please. Besides, they utter a world of Taffetas, Velvets, Sattins, Points of needle work, and divers other things of Value.

As for their Strength, its enough to defend themselves, scarce enough to offend others. For Genoa is back'd up by the Apennins, where all passages are easily made good against Invaders; and it is so well fortified on the other side by the Sea it self, twelve or fourteen good Gallies, twenty Ships of Warr, and its incomparable Molo, that they could scuffle notably in their own