ACCOUNT OF BOOKS. 
posed to accomplish. The effectu- 
al defence of the Florentine domi- 
nions 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 ob- 
ject which he had in view. In these 
transactions we may trace the first 
decisive instance of that political ar- 
rangement, which was more fully 
developed and more widely extend- 
ed.in the succeeding century, and 
which has since been denominated 
the balance of power, Casual al- 
liances, arising from consanguinity, 
from p#rsonal attachment, from vi- 
cinity, or from interest, had indeed 
frequently subsisted among the Itali- 
an states ; but these were only par- 
tial and temporary engagements, 
and rather tended to divide the 
country into two or more powerful 
parties, than to counterpoise the in- 
terests of individual governments, 
so as to produce in the result the ge- 
neral tranquillity. 
The sixth chapter to which these 
remarks form the introduction, is 
employed in details of the public 
conduct of Lorenzo; and it cone 
cludes 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, ina 
great measure, Owed to the wisdom 
and honesty of his counsels. 
In the 7th chapter our attention 
is again directed to the more attrac- 
tive subject of the progress of litera- 
ture. From the crowd of interest- 
ing passages which obtrude them- 
selves on us we shall select one which 
will tend to console the vanity of 
the unfortunate inmates of the gare 
[*167 
ret, by the recollection of the greats 
ness and importance which their 
predecessors enjoyed in former times. 
“« Such were the causes that in the 
fifteenth century concurred to pros 
mote the study of the ancient lan- 
guages in Italy; but one circum- 
stance yet remains to be noticed, 
which was perhaps more efficacious 
than any other im giving life and 
energy to these pursuits. An ace 
quaintance with the learned lan- 
guages was, at this period, the most 
direct path, not only to riches and 
literary fame, but to political emi- 
nence ; and the most accomplished 
scholars were in almost every go- 
vernment 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 pub- 
lic affairs, without an habitual ac- 
quaintance with that language; but 
this was more particularly exeme 
plified in Florence, where the most 
permanent officers were uniformly 
selected on account of thejr learn- 
ing, During along course of years 
the place of secretary, or chancel- 
lor 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 Jearned.” 
He was succeeded by Leonardo 
Aretino, whose services to the re- 
public were repaid by many privi- 
leges and favours conferred on him- 
seif and his descendants. After the 
death of Leonardo, this office was 
[*L 4] given 
