It cannot be reasonably suppos'd, that the Respect they have for their Lyon should hinder them from using it for their Arms, since we commonly see Saints and Cruci∣fixes apply'd to the same use. Use of certain pieces of Linnen, that are cut and sew'd exactly like our Shirts, which only serve them instead of Shirts. That same Lyon is to be seen in all those places where the Arms of the State ought to be: And it is no less ridiculous to say, that it serves instead of Arms, but really is no such thing, than it would be to pretend that the Venetians wear no Shirts, but that they make I cannot comprehend the meaning of those who have assur'd you, that the Republick has no Coat of Arms, and that the above-mention'd Lyon is too highly respected at Venice to be put in a Scutcheon. This, I confess, is the generally-receiv'd Opinion, but 'tis as false as common for the Republic's Arms are to be seen, without the least difference, on all the three Banners nor is there any Design to represent either Cyprus or Candia, which are not so much as nam'd. Mark's Church, represent the State of Venice and the two Kingdoms of Cyprus and Candia. Your Friend has misinform'd you, who told you, that the three great Banners, which on Festi∣val days are set up on the Brazen Pedestals over against S.

I think I told you, that 'tis the Custom of the Signiory to erect such Columns in all the Cities under its Dominion. is upon one of these Columns and those are the Arms of Ve∣nice. Mark holding an open Book, with the Inscri¦ption of Pax tibi, Marce, &c.

The two great Columns of Granite, which are near the Sea, at the end of the place call'd the Broglio, were brought from * Egypt, or, as some say, from Constantinople. In the mean time you must give me leave to tell you, that you carry the point too far, when you pretend, that 'tis impossible to make a judgment of the number of the Inhabitants of a great City for, if you consider what has been done by Sir William Petty, you will be convinc'd, that there are rational methods to make such a computation, without any conside∣rable Error. I told you, that the Computation which I follow, comprehends the Inhabitants of la Giudeca, for I look upon that Island as a part of the City of Venice but I do not include the Isle of Murana. Your Venetian Gentleman may affirm as positively as he pleases, That Venice contains Two hundred and fifty thousand Souls but you must not imagine, that because he is a Citizen of Venice, he must be a competent Judge of the number of its Inhabitants that is a thing which neither his Eyes nor mine can ever be able to determine, nor can it be known without a very diligent and nice Enquiry: And therefore I am still of the opinion, that this Controversie ought to be decided by the Authority of those who have grounded their Calculations on a careful and particular Examination. I will endeavour then to answer them succinctly, and in the same or∣der in which you have rank'd them and after∣wards proceed to entertain you with my Obser∣vations concerning Rome. Which you propose concerning Venice, will be more acceptable to you.

I do not intend to trouble you with Reflexi∣ons on the present Occurrences in your Coun∣try, of which you have given me an Account: For besides, that such a Design would engage me into long and useless Digressions, I am per∣swaded, that an Answer to those new Questions I Cannot express the Pleasure with which I read your long Letter, that part of it especially which assures me that my Letters have given you some Satis∣faction.

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