PREFACE, »® The interval comprehended between the dawn of learning after a long night of ignorance and barbarism, and the time when it attained its meridian splendour, forms a period highly interesting, no less to the philosophical than the classical enquirer. Its importance has already been fully recognized; and the splendid productions* of two classic pens, have recently served rather to stimulate than to allay the curiosity of the public. Those distinguished scholars who form the subjects of the following pages, are justly numbered among the brightest luminaries of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; and the restoration of letters, which was attended with effects so beneficial to society, is in some degree to be attributed to their efforts and example. It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the * Mr. Roscoe's "Life of Lorenzo de' Medici:" and "Memoirs of the House of Medici, &c, translated from the French of Mr. Tenhove, with notes and observations by Sir Richard Clayton, Bart." The author had not the gratification of perusing Mr. Tenhove's work before the last sheet of this little volume was in the press, consequently no reference to it occurs in the following pages. the authentic particulars of their lives and literary exertions are principally to be drawn in detached and scanty portions, from volumes of rare occurrence, and which lie concealed in situations not always easy of access. If, from the materials which have occurred to the author in his researches, he should appear to have selected too sparingly—his plea is, that he preferred this extreme, to that of entering into a minuteness of detail, which might probably fatigue rather than interest the reader. It Of the authenticity of these biographical and literary notices the intelligent reader will form an estimate from the authorities which have been carefully adduced. could afford little satisfaction to those who desire to exercise their own judgment, to peruse a collection of mere anecdotes unsanctioned by the vouchers of historic truth. Much valuable information respecting these learned men, might probably be obtained from sources which the author has not yet had an opportunity of exploring. "Videlicet hoc illud est præcipuè studiorum genus, quod vigiliis augescat-ut cui subinde ceu Aluminibus ex decursu, sic accedit ex lectione minutatim quo fiat uberius." He will continue to feel sufficient interest in such a subject, to render him desirous of doing it more justice hereafter, if his present essay should be favourably received by the candid public. + Ang. Politiani " Miscellaneor. Præfatio." 1 While Death exults Lorenzo! o'er thy bier, He turns,-when lo! a bard, with frenzied air, And snatch one victim from his drear domains. Thou too, presumptuous bard! he sternly cries, He said, and gives the wound; the golden lyre POLITIAN! glory of the Ausonian land. |