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almost incredible. The inquiries of our author into the particulars of the traffic, which was the source of such enormous wealth, have not proved yery successful; though it would have highly gratified our curiosity to have understood the commercial transactions of these illustrious merchants, who "corresponded at once with Cairo and London, and often imported a cargo of Indian spices and Greek books in the same vessel.'

The prevalence of the Platonic philosophy in Italy forms another subject of pleasing and interesting description. The amiable and sublime visions of Plato associated more easily with that polite literature which began to revive in the west, than the severe and harsh logic of his great disciple and rival. Even the adoption of new crrors contributed to restore the activity and independence of the human mind, by delivering it from that bigotted adherence to the Peripatetic philosophy, which had for so many centuries shackled its powers and impeded its progress.

A review of the poems of Lorenzo, with ample remarks in general, forms the subject of the 5th chapter, in which the author is naturally led to an account of the rise of the Italian poetry in general.

The second volume of this history opens with some remarks on the vigilance with which Lorenzo de' Medici laboured to preserve that balance of strength, among the powers of Italy, which was so necessary to the security of every individual state, a principle of policy that was then perhaps for the first time regularly and systematically adopted, and which has continued to be the great hinge on which the

affairs of Europe have turned from that period, down to the commencement of those tremendous revolutions in our times, that threaten to bury all ancient systems and establishments in one common ruin. Our readers will peruse these observations with pleasure:

The situation of Italy, at this period, afforded an ample field for the exercise of political talents. The number of independent states of which it was composed, the inequality of their strength, the ambitious views of some, and the ever active fears of others, kept the whole country in continual agitation and alarm. The vicinity of these states to each other, and the narrow bounds of their respective dominions, required a promptitude of decision, in cases of disagreement, unexampled in any subsequent period of modern history. Where the event of open war seemed doubtful, private treachery was without scru ple resorted to; and where that failed of success, an appeal was again made to arms. The pontifical see had itself set the example of a mode of conduct that burst asunder all the bonds of society, and operated as a convincing proof that nothing was thought unlawful which appeared to be expedient. To counterpoise all the jarring interests of these different governments, to restrain the powerful, to succour the weak, and to unite the whole in one firm body, so as to enable them, on the one band, successfully to oppose the formidable power of the Turks, and on the other, to repel the incursions of the French and the Germans, both of whom were objects of terror to the less warlike inhabitants of Italy, were the important ends which Lorenzo pro

Gibbon, Decline and Fall, vol. 12. 8vo. edit. p. 186.

posed

posed to accomplish. The effectual defence of the Florentine dominions against the encroachments of his more powerful neighbours, though perhaps his chief induce ment for engaging in so extensive a project, appeared, in the execution of it, rather as a necessary part of his system, than as the principal object which he had in view. In these transactions we may trace the first decisive instance of that political arrangement, which was more fully developed and more widely extended in the succeeding century, and which has since been denominated the balance of power. Casual alliances, arising from consanguinity, from personal attachment, from vicinity, or from interest, had indeed frequently subsisted among the Itali$ an states; but these were only partial and temporary engagements, and rather tended to divide the country into two or more powerful parties, than to counterpoise the interests of individual governments, so as to produce in the result the general tranquillity.

The sixth chapter to which these remarks form the introduction, is employed in details of the public conduct of Lorenzo; and it concludes with an interesting account of the great reputation which he enjoyed throughout Europe, and of the high degree of prosperity that Florence, and indeed all Italy, in a great measure, owed to the wisdom and honesty of his counsels.

In the 7th chapter our attention is again directed to the more attractive subject of the progress of literature. From the crowd of interesting passages which obtrude themselves on us we shall select one which will tend to console the vanity of the unfortunate inmates of the gar

ret, by the recollection of the greatness and importance which their predecessors enjoyed in former times.

"Such were the causes that in the fifteenth century concurred to promote the study of the ancient languages in Italy; but one circumstance yet remains to be noticed, which was perhaps more efficacious than any other in giving life and energy to these pursuits. An acquaintance with the learned languages was, at this period, the most direct path, not only to riches and literary fame, but to political eminence; and the most accomplished scholars were in almost every government of Italy, the first ministers of the time. This arose in a great degree from the very general use of the Latin tongue, in the negociations of different states, which rendered it almost impossible for any person to undertake the management of public affairs, without an habitual acquaintance with that language; but this was more particularly exemplified in Florence, where the most permanent officers were uniformly selected on account of their learning. During a long course of years the place of secretary, or chancellor of the republic, (for these terms seem to have been indiscriminately used) was filled by scholars of the first distinction. In the beginning: of the fifteenth century, it was held by Colluccio Salutati, who had been the intimate friend of Petrarca and of Boccaccio, and is denominated by Poggio, "The common father and instructor of all the learned.” He was succeeded by Leonardo Aretino, whose services to the republic were repaid by many privi leges and favours conferred on him- · self and his descendants. After the death of Leonardo, this office was [*L4]

given

given to Carlo Marsuppini, and was afterwards successively held by Poggio Bracciolini, and Benedetto Accolti; during a great part of the time that the affairs of Florence were directed by Lorenzo de' Medici, the chancellor of the republic was Bartolomeo Scala, whose life affords the best example of the honours and emoluments which were derived from the cultivation of literature. Scala deduced his origin from parents of the lowest rank, nor did he possess from his birth even the privileges of a Florentine citizen. An early proficiency in let ters recommended him to the notice of Cosmo de' Medici, and it was the pride of Scala to avow the meanness of his birth, and the obligations which he owed to his earliest patron. The loss of Cosino was amply compensated to Scala by the favour of his descendants, through whose assistance he gradually rose to honours and to affluence, and in the year 1472, was entrusted with the seal of the republic. In imitation of his predecessors in this office, Scala began a history of Florence, of which he lived to complete only four books. His apologues are highly commended by Landino and Ficino. Of his poetry, specimens remain both in the Latin and Italian languages, and the former have obtained a place in the celebrated collection of the Latin poems of his illustrious countrymen. Considering the proverbial uncertainty of public vour, the life of Scala may be esteemed a life of unusual prosperity. He transacted the concerns of the republic, with acknowledged fidelity, industry, and ability, arrived at the highest dignities of the state, amassed wealth, ranked with men of learning, and left at his

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death a numerous progeny to in herit his riches and his respectability. In his controversy with Politiano, he appears however as a scholar to manifest disadvantage; but the im petuosity of his adversary hurried him into a contest which it is evident he would willingly have avoided, and in which every ef fort to extricate himself only brought down a severer chastisement.'-

If the circumstances before related were not sufficiently characteristic of the spirit of the times, we might advert to the other governments of Italy; where we should find, that offices of the highest trust and confidence' were often filled by men who quitted the superintendance of an academy, or the chair of a professor, to transact the affairs of a nation. Alfonso, king of Naples, and Francesco Sforza, contended in liberality with each other, to secure the services of Beccatelli, Pontano was the confidential adviser, and frequently the representa tive to other powers, of Ferdinand, the son of Alfonso. The brothers of the family of Simoneta directed for a considerable time the affairs of Milan. Bernardo Bembo, and Francesco Barbaro, maintained the lite rary no less than the political dignity of the Venetian Republic, and left each of them a son who eclipsed the reputation of his father. When eminent talents were not engaged in public services, they were rewarded by the most flattering attention, and often by the pecuniary bounty of illustrious individuals, who relaxed from the fastidiousness of rank, in the company of men of learning, or have left memorials of their regard by their epistolary correspondence.

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Nor was it seldom that the characters of the scholar, and of the man of rank, were united in the same person. Of this Giovanni Pico, of Mirandula, to whom we have before frequently adverted, is perhaps the most illustrious instance. This accomplished nobleman, of whom many extraordinary circumstances are related, and who certainly exhibited a wonderful example of the powers of the human mind, was born at Mirandula in the year 1463, and was one of the younger children of Giovan- Francesco, Pico, -prince of Mirandula and Concordra. So quick was his apprehension, so retentive his memory, that we are told a single recital was sufficient to fix in his mind whatever became the object of his attention. After having spent seven years in the most celebrated universities of Italy and France, he arrived at Rome in the twenty-first year of his age, with the reputation of being acquainted with twenty-two different languages. Eager to signalize himself as a disputant, Pico proposed for public debate nine hundred questions, on mathematical, theological, and scholastic subjects, including also inquiries into the most abstruse points of the Hebraic, Chaldaic, and Arabic tongues. This measure, which in its worst light could only be consider ed as an ebullition of youthful vanity, might, without any great injustice, have been suffered to evaporate in neglect; but the Romish prelates instead of consigning these propositions to their fate, or debating them with the impartiality of philosophers, began to examine them with the suspicious eyes of church-men, and selected thirteen of them as heretical. To vindicate himself from this dangerous imputation, Pico

composed a Latin treatise of considerable extent, which he is said to have written in the space of twenty days, and which he inscribed to Lorenzo de' Medici, under whose protection he had sheltered himself from persecution at Florence. The character and acquirements of Pico afforded to his contemporaries a sub ject for the most unbounded panegyric. "He was a man," says Politiano," or rather a hero, on whom nature had lavished all the endow ments both of body and mind; erect and elegant in his person, there was something in his appearance almost divine. Of a perspicacious mind, a wonderful memory, indefatigable in study, distinct and eloquent in speech, it seems doubtful whether he was more conspicuous for his talents or his virtues. Intimately conversant with every department of philosophy, improved and invi gorated by the knowledge of various languages, and of every honorable science, it may truly be said that no commendation is equal to his praise."

The instances before given of the critical talents of Pico, whatever may be thought of their accuracy, will at least justify him from the reproof of Voltaire, who is of opinion that the works of Dante and Petrarca would have been a more suitable study for him than the summary of St. Thomas, or the compilations of Albert the great. But the literary pursuits of Pico were not confined to commentaries upon the works of others. From the specimens which remain of his poetical compositions in his native language, there is reason to form a favourable judgment of those which have perished. Crescimbeni confesses, that by his early death the Tuscan po

etry

etry sustained a heavy loss, and that his accomplished pen might have rescued it from its degraded state, without the intervention of so many other eminent men, whose labours had been employed to the same purpose. The few pieces which remain of his Latin poetry induce us to regret the severity of their author. These poems he had arranged in five books, which he submitted to the correction of Politiano, who having performed his task, returned them to their author, with an elegant apology for the freedoms which he had taken. Soon afterwards Pico committed his five books to the flames, to the great regret of Politiand, who has perpetuated this incident by a Greek epigram. If the works thus destroyed were equal in merit to his Latin elegy addressed to Girolamo Benivieni, posterity have reason to lament the loss.'

From the eighth chapter, we have already extracted the character of the celebrated Girolamo Savonarola; with whose eventful bistory most of our readers are probably acquainted.

The subject of the ninth chapter is the arts; of which Mr. Roscoe has deduced the history from their first rude beginnings in Italy, to the commencement of the golden age of Leo.

The tenth and last chapter contains an account of the death, and a review of the character, of Lorenzo; a narrative of the expulsion of his son from Florence, and of the convulsions which agitated that repub. lic; and a brief history of his descendants, till the house of Medici at length acquired the sovereign authority in that country of which they had been so long the first citirevolution which was ac

zens;

complished by Cosmo de' Medici, who became the first grand duke of Tuscany.

We have now presented to the public such ample extracts from this valuable work, that they will be able to form their own opinion both of its general excellence and its distinguishing qualities.

It must be no inconsiderable consolation to the lovers of literature, to observe that, in the midst of those furious political animosities which threatened to banish every mild sentiment and elegant pursuit from among us, there should still remaina sufficient portion of calm literary taste to render a work like the present so generally acceptable and popular. Solid and permanent reputation the intrinsic merit of the work itself must in time have secured: but it was scarcely to have been hoped that it should have acquired such rapid fame, without treating any temporary topic, or adopting any temporary fashion; without stooping to the meretricious allurements of style which seduce a depraved taste; and without either flattering or provok-! ing any of the passions which divide an agitated public. It is not often at any time, but it is very seldom in such times as the present, that the means of obtaining early popularity are the same with those of securing a lasting reputation.-We congratulate the author on having combined both these objects, without having debased the dignity of histo ry so far as to minister to any of the reigning prejudices of the age. He has obtained public applause, without any sacrifice either of the purity of his taste or of the independence of his principles. He has paid no court to the prepossessions of that body of Englishmen, among whom

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