have done my best to preserve something of the flavour of the original. Yours faithfully, NINIAN HILL THOMSON. FLORENCE, May 17, 1883. BOOK I. PREFACE CHAPTER I. Of the beginnings of Cities in general, and in particular of that of Rome II. Of the various kinds of Government; and to which of them the Roman Commonwealth belonged III. Of the accidents which led in Rome to the creation of Tribunes of the People, whereby the Republic was made more perfect IV. That the dissensions between the Senate and Commons of Rome made Rome free and powerful V. Whether the guardianship of public freedom is safer in the hands of the Commons or of the Nobles; and whether those who seek to acquire power, or they who seek to maintain it, are the greater cause of commotions VI. Whether it was possible in Rome to contrive such a Government as would have composed the differences between the Commons and the Senate VII. That to preserve liberty in a State, there must exist the right to accuse VIII. That calumny is as hurtful in a Commonwealth as the power to accuse is useful IX. That to give new institutions to a Commonwealth, or to reconstruct old institutions on an entirely new basis, must be the work of one Man X. That in proportion as the founder of a Kingdom or Commonwealth merits praise, he who founds a Tyranny deserves blame XI. Of the Religion of the Romans XII. That it is of much moment to make account of Religion; and that Italy, through the Roman Church, being wanting therein, has been ruined XIII. Of the use the Romans made of Religion in giving institutions to their City; in carrying out their enterprises; and in quelling tumults XIV. That the Romans interpreted the auspices to meet the occasion; and made a prudent show of observing the rites of Religion even when forced to disregard them; and any who rashly slighted Religion they punished XV. How the Samnites, as a last resource in their broken fortunes, had recourse to Religion XVI. That a People accustomed to live under a Prince, if by any accident it become free, can hardly preserve that freedom XVII. That a corrupt People obtaining freedom can hardly preserve it XVIII. How a free Government existing in a corrupt City may be preserved, or not existing may be created XIX. After a strong Prince a weak Prince may maintain himself: but after one weak Prince no Kingdom can stand a second XX. That the consecutive reigns of two valiant Princes produce great results: and that well-ordered Commonwealths are assured of a succession of valiant Rulers by whom their power and growth are rapidly extended XXI. That it is a great reproach to a Prince or to a Commonwealth to be without a National Army XXII. What is to be noted in the combat of the three Roman Horatii and the three Alban Curiatii XXIII. That we should never hazard our whole fortunes, where we put not forth our entire strength; for which reason to guard a defile is often hurtful XXIV. That well-ordered States always provide rewards and punishments for their Citizens; and never set off deserts against misdeeds XXV. That he who would reform the institutions of a free State, must retain at least the semblance of old ways XXVI. That a new Prince in a city or province of which he has taken possession, ought to make everything new XXVII. That Men seldom know how to be wholly good or wholly bad XXVIII. Whence it came that the Romans...