all employments, have the nomination to eccleſiaſtical benefices, two thirds of the revenues of the canton belonging to the clergy, their influence muſt be uncontroulabie.
The two avoyers are choſen from the ſenate by the council of one hundred, and are confirmed annually. The relations of the candidates are excluded from voting: but all ſuch checks againſt influence and family connections in an oligarchy are futile, as all laws are cyphers. There are also certain chambers of juſtice and police.
In ſome few inſtances, ſuch as declaring war and making peace, forming alliances or impoſing taxes, the citizens muſt be aſſembled and give their conſent, which is one check upon the power of the nobles.
LETTER XV.
ZURICH.
My dear Sir,
THE canton of Zurich contains one hundred and fifty thouſand ſouls, upon an area of forty miles by thirty, abounds in corn, wine, and all the ordinary productions of excellent paſtures. Literature has been encouraged, and has conſtantly flouriſhed in this country, from the time of Zuinglius to that of Geſner and Lavater. The inhabitants are induſtrious, their manufactures conſiderable, and their commerce extenſive.
In the city is a public granary, an admirable reſource againſt ſcarcity, and a magnificent arſenal well filled with cannon, arms, and ammunition, particularly muſquets for thirty thouſand
