order to commemorate the clemency of Lorenzo de' Medici towards his enemies on that occasion, a medal was struck, of which a copy is here given from an original specimen.

XVII.

v. 4to. ed. vol. i. p. 217. 8vo. ed. vol. i. p. 292.

"The other division of the Florentine troops was not equally successful."

M. DE SISMONDI has thought proper to express his surprise that Lorenzo de' Medici did not accompany the army in person on this occasion. (a) If M. de Sismondi had not suffered himself to be misled by his prejudices, he would have perceived that in the situation in which Lorenzo stood, in which it was requisite not only to preserve the attachment, and secure the support of his fellow citizens, but at the same time to carry on important negociations with foreign states, nothing could have been more impolitic than to have quitted his proper scene of action to pass his time in the long delays of military operations; which he had the good sense to confide to others more conversant with them

(a)" On ne peut se defendre de quelque surprise en voyant que Laurent de Medicis ne parut point dans le camp Florentin, pendant le cours d'une guerre où sa patrie n'étoit engagée que pour lui," &c.-Hist. des Rep. cap. 86. vol. ii. p. 121.

than himself. M. de Sismondi has sufficiently answered his own observation, in relating that at this precise period, Lorenzo called together a council of three hundred of his fellow-citizens, and expressly stated to them his willingness to submit to exile, to prison, or even to death, provided it might relieve them from the dangers with which they were threatened; to which generous proposition, as M. de Sismondi is compelled to call it, they replied by devoting their fortunes and their lives to his defence. (a)

XVIII.

v. 4to. ed. vol. i. p. 227. 8vo. ed. vol. i. p. 304.

"Lorenzo, who had arrived at Naples not merely

an unprotected stranger, but an open enemy, left that place at the end of three months, in the character of an ally and a friend.”

Ir is remarkable that this event, the visit of Lorenzo to Naples, should have afforded the

(a) "Les Florentins appelés à ce conseil, répondirent à cette interpellation généreuse, en s'engageant à consacrer leurs fortunes et leurs vies à la défense de Laurent de Médicis.”—Hist. des Rep. vol. xi. p. 122.

subject of an Epic Poem to a nobleman of high rank and celebrity, in the very place to which such visit was paid. A few years since, the Marquis di Montrone, chamberlain to the king of Naples, impressed with the idea of the singularity of the attempt, the persevering courage with which it was executed, the success with which it was attended, and the effect it produced in the general pacification of Italy, conceived that if combined with other circumstances in the life and character of Lorenzo, it would afford materials for a poem, novel in its kind, deeply productive of interest, calculated to inculcate sound principles of political conduct, and to sanction and promote that appeal to justice and reason in the dissensions of rival states, which it was the principal object of the life of Lorenzo to establish and recommend.

The journals of Italy have spoken of this work in terms of great commendation. From these we learn that the author had already distinguished himself by several poetical productions, published at Milan and Bologna, which had established his reputation throughout Italy; but if we may assent to their judgment, the present poem has greatly excelled all his former works. The unity of the subject, which concentrates the attention of the reader, and con

fines his anxiety to a single result, by no means prevents the author from adverting to other circumstances, and enlivening his poem with various interesting episodes, which, whilst they incidentally bear upon, and promote the general object, serve to diversify and enliven the work. The period of time in which Lorenzo was placed, between that of his grandfather Cosmo de' Medici, and of his son Leo X., when the sciences and the arts were recalled to life, and permanently established in Europe; the evident alteration produced in the opinions and conduct of the Italian states, who struck with the magnanimous conduct, and convinced by the representations of an individual, seemed to have dismissed their jealousies, and if not broken in upon by the unfortunate irruption of Charles VIII., would in all probability have carried the maxims of Lorenzo more fully into effect; the cruel and unsparing character of Ferdinand of Naples, remarkable for his breach of faith to such of his refractory nobles as had confided in his clemency; the difficulties with which Lorenzo was surrounded, when after having escaped from the hands of the assassin, he found himself attacked by adjacent states, much more powerful than that of Florence, and not only in imminent danger himself, but likely to bring down destruction upon his fellow citizens; and lastly, the magnanimous resolution to terminate