1083 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. commonly received theory of light. If these objections should be removed by any gentleman present, I shall think myself in no small degree happy in having introduced them. 1. Then is not the transmission of rays, or particles of light, from the sun, for instance, contrary to the known laws of attraction and gravitation? According to those laws, should we 1084 fill up its pores, and it becomes transparent. Is not this a fact, which bears hard upon the supposition, that rays of light pass through the pores of bodies; for as the paper is the most porous before it is oiled, ought it not also to be then most transparent? LEONARDO ARETINO. not suppose that distinct material MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES OF particles, instead of proceeding with such velocity from the sun, would sink upon his surface? 2. If the sun is, from all points of his immense sphere, continually throwing off such floods of material substance, is it not clear, that in the course of time the sun must waste away; and so will be verified the poet's prediction, "The sun himself shall grow dim with age!" Dr. Priestley made some experiments, the result of which was, that the sun is in reality wasting; and that its diameter is already diminished six or seven inches. I, who am of opinion that He who made the sun, originally designed it to shine its appointed season, think there is something dark, and chilly, and freezing, in this waning, wasting, dying sun! 3. If two rays of light, proceeding in right lines from two luminous bodies, come in contact with each other, is it not plain that they must discommode and interrupt, and alter each other's course. But think what innumerable multitudes of such rays are propelled from the fixed stars; and how they must come in contact with each other at every possible angle! How is it, on this supposition, that their order is not disturbed? How is it that they reach us at all? 4. A small taper alight in open air, is visible at a distance of two miles. An eye moving round the circumference of a circle, of which the flame is the centre, meets the light at every point. It will follow that a flame, whose magnitude is not sensibly diminished, fills with positive, material substance, a hemisphere, whose longest diameter is four miles! Is not this incredible? (Continued from col. 1053.) The situation of John was indeed most critical. Whilst he was negociating with the King of the Romans, Ladislaus had occupied the papal territories with a numerous and well appointed army, and threatened to lay siege to Bologna, which was then the residence of the pontifical court. In these circumstances, the most steady adherents of the Pope were seized with a panic. Some fled to Ferrara, and others to Venice. John was about to follow them, when his fears were relieved by the intelligence that Ladislaus had been obliged to suspend his march in consequence of a violent access of fever. This news was soon followed by tidings of his death, which event took place in the month of August, in the year 1414.* Being thus freed from the pressure of a formidable enemy, and no longer standing in need of the assistance of the Emperor, John was strongly inclined to evade the holding of a general council, and to repair to Rome, which city was ready to receive him with open arms. To this step he was incited by the admonitions of his relatives and friends, who warned him to take care lest, though he went to the council as Pope, he should return as a private man. But he was deterred from following their advice by the remonstrances of the Cardinals, who unanimously represented to him the scandal which he would excite throughout the whole of Christendom, should he, by a violation of his solemn engagements, defeat the measures which were in progress for putting an end to the schism, and for enforcing the reformation of the church. Yielding to their importunity, he set out from 5. Take a piece of paper, which, as every one knows, is porous to a great degree, admitting water with profusion; but it is opake, allowing but Me light to pass through it. * L'Enfant's Council of Constance, vol. ii. aper in oil, or in other words, p. 4–9. Dip 1085 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. Bologna on the 1st day of October, 1414, and entered the city of Constance in great state on the 28th of the same month. Before the termination of his journey, circumstances occurred which his conscious mind interpreted as omens of ill luck. As he was passing through the city of Trent, a jester, who composed a part of his retinue, repeated to him a proverb, which intimates, that every Pope who passes through Trent is undone. As he was crossing one of the Tyrolese mountains, his carriage was overturned, which accident drew from him an observation in which more was meant than met the ear, namely, “By the devil, I am down, I had better have staid at Bologna;" and then looking towards the city of Constance, he exclaimed, "I plainly see yonder the trap where foxes are caught."* Leonardo did not accompany his master to Constance, but followed him in the course of a few weeks. On the last day of December, 1414, he wrote to Nicolo Niccoli the following animated and interesting account of his journey. "If I thought you were at all interested in what is doing here, I would communicate to you the acts of the council, and a diary of its proceedings. But if I am not mistaken in your character, you are so far from entertaining any curiosity concerning these matters, that you think your welfare is concerned in knowing nothing of what you are pleased to call the tiresome follies of the public. As, then, it is the duty of a host to provide refreshments suitable to the palates of his guests, so it is incumbent on a friend writing to a friend to dwell upon topics which are agreeable to the taste of his correspondent. Since, then, your taste is rather delicate, since you dislike ordinary viands, I shall comply with your humour, and treat you with foreign dishes. To drop the metaphor, I presume that you will at this time prefer to all other subjects, a description of my travels. I will then give you an account of my journey, not indeed of the whole of it, (for that were inexpedient,) but of that portion of it which extended beyond the confines of Italy. 1086 "I arrived at Verona on the 27th of November, at an early hour in the morning, and spent the remainder of the day in examining the curiosities of the place, which are well worthy of attention, on account of their antiquity and their beauty. At day-break on the following day I crossed the Adige, and proceeded towards the Alps. When I reached the place where the Adige flows into the plains of Italy, my eyes were gratified by a wonderful spectacle. A deep and narrow road winds between two lofty mountains, hollowed out as it were by nature. It is truly an alpian spot, and by the murmur of its waters, and the roaring of its floods, affords no unapt type of the rude and savage manners of the people through whose territory it flows. Between the river and the mountain on the right, the way is so narrow, that single carriages, and even single horsemen, find much difficulty in passing along it, whilst on the left a rapid torrent washes the foot of the crags along the side of which it is extended: "On each hand rugged rocks and pointed cliff's Rise towering to the sky." "For a considerable extent of way, this road maintains the same character, being overhung with impending rocks, through which runs a deep and rapid stream. The cliffs approach each other so near, that the sky is only just perceptible as through a narrow opening-the mountains are bare and craggy, and composed of the hardest species of flint. In point of capacity of defence, the Cilician straits and the Candine forks, renowned for the slaughter of the Roman army, must yield to this formidable gorge; for I am persuaded that a single man, by rolling down stones from above, might hold in check a whole army of French or Germans, should they attempt the passage. "Having spent two days in passing through this valley, we arrived at Trent, a town pleasantly situated in a tolerably extensive plain, and beautitifully skirted by the river. It is a circumstance worthy of observation, that the inhabitants of this place, though contained within the same walls, speak different languages, some the German, and others the Italian, * L'Enfant's Council of Constance, vol. i. according as the quarter in which they p. 12, 18. respectively reside looks towards Ger 1087 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. many or Italy. I believe that this variance of dialect prevails even in the discussions which take place in their public assemblies. When we had proceeded a few miles beyond Trent, we were much alarmed by a custom truly worthy of barbarians. On the rocks which overhang the river, there are many castles, which are held by the nobility of the country. When travellers in any extraordinary number wind their way beneath these fortresses, horns are suddenly sounded from their towers, and as great a multitude of men as can be mustered show themselves on the walls and bulwarks, and shout and howl like so many enemies and barbarians. Travellers who are unaccustomed to this uproar are alarmed; and it requires uncommon strength of nerve not to be terrified on the occurrence of such a hostile demonstration, especially in places which seem to be most aptly chosen for the perpetration of robbery. They have adopted this barbarous and savage custom with the view of preserving their property, as thinking that travellers will abstain from depredations, when they receive this notice that their proceedings are vigilantly watched. For my part, I thought I was marching through an enemy's country, and was strongly reminded | of these lines of Virgil, 1088 standing their opulence, are destitute of fortifications, on account of the rocks by which they are overhung. Advancing from Meran beyond the Adige, we arrived on the third day at a ridge of hills. Here the road runs with a gentle acclivity between two peaks, terminating at the summit of the ascent in a plain, in which are two lakes, at no great distance from each other. From this spot the waters flow in different directions: for from the one of these lakes rises the Adige, which runs towards the south; and from the other, a river called the Inn, which, flowing towards Germany, falls into the Danube. The descent from this ridge is much more difficult than its ascent, for the road is steep and narrow, and in some places it is directed by human art through long windings by the side of steep rocks into a deep ravine. On the right impends a lofty mountain; on the left are precipices, down which the traveller cannot look without dread. Above and below there is an incredible multitude of firs, wild pines, cypresses, ash, beech, and other species of trees. Having proceeded from this ridge through deep and difficult valleys for the space of two days, we came to another, which the natives call the Eagle's Mount. Our passage over this mountain was most difficult and rough; for, besides the fatigue of encountered snow, which in many places lay to the depth of twenty feet, and through which we found only a single track of not more than a foot in breadth. Along this path, the men, stepping lightly, made their way readily enough; but the horses were wretchedly embarrassed. They were led by the bridle; and if they stepped with either foot out of the track, they plunged into the snow, from which they could not be extricated without the utmost hazard and difficulty. With these embarrassments we struggled for the length of three miles, till we had crossed the ridge and begun to descend. This I can truly say was the most perilous and difficult part of our journey. From the gorge of the Adige, which I have described above, to the plain country on the other side the Alps, is a distance of about two hundred miles. In the course of this tract there rise such lofty mountains, such craggy rocks, such numerous “When from Laurentum's towers the sign of climbing its steep acclivities, we here war Turnus unfurl'd, and loud the clarion blew." "But to return:-from Trent we proceeded to the delightful and wealthy village of Tramen, situated beyond the river on a mountain to the left, and overhung in a picturesque and striking manner by a stupendous rock. This village is celebrated for the multitude of its vineyards, which surpass, in number, all that I have seen in any other place. The soil in which the vines are planted is as white as snow, which phænomenon is occasioned by the washing down of the particles of limestone, of which the overhanging rock is composed. At Tramin is made a quantity of wine, sufficient to supply an export into the countries beyond the Alps. Hence we proceeded to Meran. I am in doubt whether to call this place a city or a village. It is large enough to be styled a city; but it has no walls. I suppose that both Tramen and Meran, notwith 1089 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. ridges, such mighty masses of wildness, that the mind is led to wonder what could be the object of their creation. As for myself, when I contemplated these immense wonders of nature, which seem to have subsisted from all eternity, I was struck with a sensation of awe, which still recurs at the recollection of this sublime scenery. "At the distance of twenty miles from the foot of the Alps, we came to an opulent town called Feldkirk, abounding in handsome edifices, vineyards, and orchards. On the following day, at seven miles' distance from Feldkirk, we crossed the Rhine, which rises in the Alps, not far to the left of the place where we crossed it. But soon after its rise it turns to the right, and being increased by many tributary streams, it rolls a large body of water in a north-easterly direction. Its water is of a bluish-green colour, its course is rapid, its channel sandybut the sand is so hard that it does not yield to the pressure of the feet. Having been ferried over the river, we left it on our right, and traversed a long and marshy plain till we arrived at a fortress called Rheineck. Here we found ourselves again on the bank of the Rhine, which here having changed its course flows towards the north-west, and forms a stagnant lake a little below the fortress. Having made the requisite inquiries as to the best mode of proceeding from hence, I sent my horses and servants by land, and went myself in a fishing-boat which I had hired, down theriver, and across the lake to Constance. The lake is most beautiful. Its banks are studded with castles and villages. Its gravelly bottom is clearly discernible through its pellucid water. It contains a variety of species of fish; but in point of numbers, not so great plenty as might be expected from the extent of its waters. It is twenty-five miles in length; in breadth it varies from ten to fifteen miles. Constance is situated at its lower extremity. This city is not large, but opulent and beautiful. Near its walls, the Rhine emerges from the lake, and resumes the character of a river. Over it is thrown a bridge, extending from the city gate to the German territory. Beyond the bridge, on the other side of the river, are a considerable number of buildings. 1090 "I have made many inquiries among the citizens concerning the antiquity and origin of Constance; but I have not hitherto met with any one who could give me an account of his own grandfather, much less of his native city. On making diligent search, however, I found a marble slab, containing an inscription in ancient characters, from which it appears that this city, which was formerly called Vitudura, derived its present name from Constantius, the father of Constantine, who was declared Cæsar by Dioclesian and Maximian. This inscription, no one of the citizens of Constance can read; and the populace are persuaded that it is a valuable relic, containing the names of ancient saints. Hence the women and the ignorant rabble, have almost worn out the letters of the inscription by rubbing it with their hands and faces, whereas it is so far from recording the names of the saints of Christ, that it was intended to preserve the memory of the persecutors of the Christian faith. "I will now say a few words respecting the manners and institutions of this little state, which are matters well worthy of a traveller's attention. A chief magistrate is yearly elected by the suffrages of the citizens; but he does not reside during his office in any public palace, but in his own private house. Whenever he walks abroad, he is attended by officers armed with wands. His dress, however, is not different from that of his fellow citizens. He takes cognizance of all charges of murder, theft, robbery, poisoning, adultery, and other crimes. In the trials of offenders he is assisted by a jury, appointed by the citizens. The culprits are brought before him in chains; but free liberty of speech is allowed, both to the prosecutors and the criminal or his advocates. When the pleadings are ended, the verdict is given; and if the prisoner is convicted, the appropriate punishment is inflicted by the officers of the chief magistrate. The same process is used in the determining of civil causes. This liberal mode of trial tends much to the improvement of eloquence, since ability in pleading is consequently the means of attaining to dignity and influence. 1091 On Natural and latter gain their livelihood by commerce and trade; the former maintain their dignity by living upon the income of their patrimonial estates. No plebeian, on becoming rich, is allowed by the gentry to rank amongst them; hence the two orders have long been kept distinct, since the gentry deem it beneath them to be employed in business, and the trades-people have no means of rising to a superior rank in society. The state is, however, jointly governed by both these orders. Farewell."* essential, the product of natural talents? I therefore conceive that Iven is strictly correct in asserting, that natural abilities "lie at the very foundation of acquired," because man forms no conception, without natural abilities, that those are essential which are acquired. Having thus struck the balance on the first, I now proceed to offer a few remarks on the second reasons of your correspondents. Iven asserts, that natural abilities are most valuable, “because they are derived from a higher source:" Philomathes puts into the other scale, that acquired abilities are most valuable, "because they promote his honour and welfare through life." I admit the treasures of learning are unexhausted. But what induces man to work the mine in search of them, but natural abilities? It is their possessor who is desirous to improve them: he feels it necessary to polish them, by acquisition. We may instance a diamond. I ask, Which is most valuable,-a diamond in its rough state; or the dust, which is the product of cutting and polishing? The value of natural abilities is much increased, if we consider the high origin from which they are derived. Without natural abilities, I contend, man does not acquire any; therefore it is the source from which his "honour and welfare through life" must flow. With respect to the third class of reasons, I conceive both of them are applicable to natural abilities. The remarks of Philomathes militate against himself; for how can man acquire morality? It is the Holy Spirit which produces an holy life; it is the omnipotent Jehovah that furnishes us with talents, whereby we may promote the comfort of others, and teach them to "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God;" therefore they involve a greater degree of responsibility.' 66 The grounds of the fourth and last class of reasons of your correspondents are so widely different, that I conceive any remarks are unnecessary; enough having been said, I have the vanity to think, to induce your readers to go along with me in deciding in favour of Iven, and awarding to him the laurel of victory. ELIA. London, 17th October, 1821 |