466 THE DECLINE AND FALL were stripped of their ornaments ; and, as if they were conscious of their approaching exile, the industry of the Latins had been confined to the work of pillage and destruction. Trade had expired under the pressure of anarchy and distress ; and the number of inhabitants had decreased with the opulence of the city. It was the first care of the Greek monarch to reinstate the nobles in the palaces of their fathers ; and the houses or the ground which they occupied were restored to the families that could exhibit a legal right of inheritance. But the far greater part was extinct or lost ; the vacant property had de- volved to the lord ; he repeopled Constantinople by a liberal invitation to the provinces ; and the brave volunteers were seated in the capital which had been recovered by their arms. The French barons and the principal families had retired with their emperor ; but the patient and humble crowd of Latins was at- tached to the country, and indifferent to the change of masters. Instead of banishing the factories of the Pisans, Venetians, and Genoese, the prudent conqueror accepted their oaths of alle- giance, encouraged their industry, confii-med their privileges, and allowed them to live under the jurisdiction of their proper mag- istrates. Of these nations, the Pisans and Venetians preserved their respective quarters in the city ; but the services and powers of the Genoese deserved at the same time the gratitude-* and the jealousy of the Greeks. Their independent colony was first planted at the sea-port town of Heraclea in Thrace. They were speedily recalled, and settled in the exclusive possession of the suburb of Galata, an advantageous post, in which they revived the commerce, and insulted the majesty, of the Byzantme em- pire. 2^ paiaeoiogns The recoveiy of Constantinople was celebrated as the aera of bamsiies a ncw empire : the conqueror, alone, and by the right of the peror°"&jD. " sword, rcncwcd his coronation in the church of St. Sophia ; and the name and honours of John Lascaris, his pupil and lawful sovereign, were insensibly abolished. But his claims still lived in the minds of the people ; and the royal youth must speedily attain the years of manhood and ambition. By fear or conscience, Palaeologus was restrained from dipping his hands in innocent and royal blood ; but the anxiety of an usurper and a parent 2* [The Genoese had sent ships, in accordance with the treaty of Njonphasum ; but these had not arrived in time to be of actual service.] ® See Pachymer (1. 2, c. 28-33), Acropolita (c. 88), Nicephorus Gregoras (1. iv. 7), and for the treatment of the subject Latins, Ducange (1. v. c. 30, 31). 1261, Dec. 25
