found an opportunity of listening to a private interview between Galeotto, and some pretender to astrological knowledge, in whom it seems he was credulous enough to place his confidence. Instead however of gaining any intelligence as to the object of her curiosity, she heard predictions and denunciations, which, as she thought, affected the safety of her father, and being unable to conceal her indignation, she broke in upon their deliberations, and reproached her husband with his treachery. Irritated by the intrusion and the pertinacity of his wife, Galeotto retorted with great bitterness, but finding himself unequal to a contest of this nature, he had recourse to more violent methods, and by menaces and blows reduced her to obedience. Bentivoglio was no sooner apprized of the ignominious treatment which his daughter had received, and of the circumstances which had given rise to it, than he resolved to carry her off from her husband by force. Taking with him a chosen body of soldiers, he approached Faenza by night, and seizing on Francesca and her infant son, brought them in safety to Bologna. This step he followed up, by preparing for an attack on the dominions of his son-in-law; but Galeotto having resorted to Lorenzo for his mediation, a reconciliation took place, and Francesca shortly afterwards returned to Faenza. Whether she still harboured in her bosom the lurking passions of jealousy and revenge, or whether some fresh insult on the part of her husband had roused her fury, is not known; but she formed and executed a deliberate plan for his assassination. To this end she feigned herself sick, and requested to see him in her chamber. Galeotto obeyed the summons, and on entering his wife's apartments, was instantly attacked

by

by four hired assassins, three of whom she had concealed under her bed. Though totally unarmed, he defended himself courageously; and as he had the advantages of great personal strength and activity, would probably have effected his escape; but when Francesca saw the contest doubtful, she sprung from the bed, and grasping a sword, plunged it into his body, and accomplished his destruction with her own hand. Conscious of her guilt, she immediately took refuge with her children in the castle, until her father once more came to her relief. On his approach to Faenza, Bentivoglio was joined by the Milanese troops, who had been engaged in reinstating the family of Riario at Forli. The citizens of Faenza, conceiving that it was his intention to deprive them of Astorgio, the infant son of Galeotto, or rather perhaps under that pretext to possess himself of the city, refused to surrender to him his daughter and her family. He immediately attacked the place, which was not only successfully defended by the citizens, but in an engagement which took place under the walls, Borgomini, the commander of the Milanese troops, lost his life, and Bentivoglio was made a prisoner. During this dispute Lorenzo de' Medici had warmly espoused the cause of the citizens, and had encouraged them with promises of support, in case they should find it necessary in preserving their independence. The success of their exertions, and the disaster of Bentivoglio, changed the object of his solicitude, and no sooner did he receive intelligence of this event, than he dispatched a messenger to Faenza, to interfere on the behalf of Bentivoglio, and if possible to obtain his release. This was with some difficulty accomplished, and Bentivoglio imme

diately

diately resorted to Florence, to return his thanks to his benefactor. Some time afterwards Lorenzo, at the request of Bentivoglio, solicited the liberation of his daughter, which was also complied with; and he was at length prevailed upon to intercede with the pope, to relieve her from the ecclesiastical censures which she had incurred by her crime. The reason given by Bentivoglio to Lorenzo, for requesting his assistance in this last respect, will perhaps be thought extraordinary-He had an intention of providing her with another husband!

CHAP. IX.

PROGRESS of the arts-State of them in the middle ages-Revival in Italy-Guido da Sienna-CimabueGiotto-Character of his works-The Medici encourage the arts-Masaccio-Paolo Uccello-Fra Filippo—Antonio Pollajuolo-Baldovinetti-Andrea da Castagna— Filippo Lippi-Luca Signorelli-Progress of Sculpture— Niccolo and Andrea Pisani-Ghiberti-Donatello-Imperfect state of the arts-Causes of their improvement— Numerous works of Sculpture collected by the ancient Romans-Researches after the remains of antiquity-Petrarca-Lorenzo de' Medici brother of Cosmo-Niccolo Niccoli-Poggio Bracciolini-Collection of antiques formed by Cosmo-Assiduity of Lorenzo in augmenting it—Lorenzo establishes a school for the study of the antiqueMichelagnolo Buonarroti-Resides with Lorenzo-Forms an intimacy with Politiano-Advantages over his predecessors-His sculptures-Rapid improvement of tasteRaffaelle d'Urbino-Michelagnolo unjustly censuredOther artists favoured by Lorenzo-Gian-Francesco Rustici-Francesco Granacci-Andrea Contucci-Lorenzo encourages the study of Architecture-Giuliano da San Gallo-Attempts to renew the practice of Mosaic-Invention of engraving on copper-Revival of engraving on gems and stones.