quire ſecrecy, and ſome of theſe are of great importance, are debated and determined.
The grand council aſſembles and deliberates by its own authority at ſtated times, and ſuperintends all affairs, although the moſy important are delegated generally to the ſenate. The whole adminiſtration is celebrated for its uncommon moderation, preciſion, and diſpatch.
There are ſeventy-two bailiwicks, diſtributed in four claſſes, comprehending a country of ſixty leagues in length, or a third part of all Switzerland, ſubject to this city. The bailiffs are appointed by lot from the grand council. They were formerly choſen, but this method rendering all the members dependent upon a few, who had the moſt influence, it had too ſtrong a tendency to an oligarchy. The bailiwicks are the moſt profitable places, and are filled from the grand council. The bailiffs live in much ſplendour, and are able to lay up two or three thouſand pounds ſterling a year, beſides diſcharging all their expences. They repreſent the ſovereign authority, put the laws in execution, collect the revenues, act as judges in civil and criminal cauſes; but an appeal lies to Berne, in civil cauſes to the courts of juſtice, and in criminal to the ſenate: but as the judges on appeal are perſons who either have been or expect to be bailiffs, there is great reaſon to be apprehenſive of partiality.
There is no ſtanding army, but every male of ſixteen is enrolled in the militia, and obliged to provide himſelf an uniform, a muſket, powder and ball; and no peaſant is allowed to marry, without producing his arms and uniform. The arms are inſpected every year, and the men exerciſed. There are arſenals of arms at Berne, and
