He reached this conclusion, however, only with something approaching
nostalgia - he venerated Rome, in particular - and after a
careful study of republican systems. Rousseau, for his part, was
fond of recalling that he had been born a citizen of a republic and,
his disputes with the Genevan authorities notwithstanding, retained
a well-informed interest in and attachment to the institutions of his
native city. He also knew Venice, having spent some time there as
secretary to the French ambassador.