493 Monthly Observations. 494 densum, lucens, & crispum; Flat-lus; Flowering Rush, Butomus umstalked Pondweed, P. compressum; bellatus; Yellow Bird's Nest, MonoMouse-ear Scorpion Grass, Myosotis trapa hypopitys; Marsh Andromeda, scorpioides; Common Alkanet, An- A. polifolia; Red-berried trailing Archusa officinalis; Common and green- butus, A. uva ursi; Hairy Saxifrage, leaved Hound's-tongue, Cynoglossum Saxifraga stellaris; London Pride, S. officinale & sylvaticum; Borage, umbrosa; Alpine Brook Saxifrage, S. Borago officinalis; Blue Viper's Bu- rivularis; Tufted Alpine Saxifrage, gloss, Echium vulgare; Small Bu- S. cæspitosa; Musky Alpine Saxigloss, Lycopsis arvensis; Bird's-eye frage, S. Moschata; Mountain Pink, Primrose, Primula farinosa; Buck- Dianthus caesius; Berry-bearing Chickbean, Menyanthes trifoliata; Feather-weed, Cucubalus vaccifer; Variegatfoil, Hottonia palustris; Moneywort, ed Catchfly, Silene quinque vulnera; Lysimachia nummularia; Scarlet Pim- Nottingham Catchfly, S. nutans; Moss pernel, Anagallis arvensis; Small Campion, S. acaulis ; Glaucous Marsh Bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis; Ja- Stitchwort, Stellaria glauca; Bog cob's Ladder, Polemonium coeruleum; Stitchwort, S. uliginosa; Alpine StitchIvy-leaved Bellflower, Campanula he-wort, S. cerastoides; Sea Sandwort, deracea; Sheep's Bit, Jasione mon- Arenaria peploides; Thyme-leaved tana; Deadly Nightshade, Atropa Sandwort, A. serpyllifolia ; Sea Spurbelladonna; Woody Nightshade, So- rey Sandwort, A. marina; Fine-leaved lanum dulcamara; Garden Night- Sandwort, A. tenuifolia; Common shade, S. nigrum; Woodbine, Loni- Navelwort, Cotyledon umbilicus; cera periclymenum; Black Saltwort, Greater Yellow Navelwort, C. lutea; Glaux maritima; Small and Great Thick-leaved Stonecrop, Sedum daHartwort, Tordylium officinale & maxi-syphyllum; Wallpepper, S. acre; Inmum; Small Bur Parsley, Caucalis sipid Stonecrop, S. sexangulare; daucoides; Wild Carrot, Daucus ca- Hairy Stonecrop, S. villosum; Corn rota; Hemlock, Conium maculatum; Cockle, Agrostemma githago; Ragged Sea Sulphurwort, Peucedanum offi- Robin, Lychnis floscuculi; Alpine cinale; Sulphurwort Water Drop- Chickweed, Cerastium alpinum; Broad wort, Enanthe peucedanifolia; Cori-leaved rough Chickweed, C. latifoander, Coriandrum sativum; Water lium; Common Agrimony, Agrimonia Hemlock, Phellandrium aquaticum; eupatoria; Irish Spurge, Euphorbia Shepherd's Needle, Scandix pecten hyberna; Meadow Sweet, Spiræa uliveneris; Garden Chervil, S. cerefo- naria; White Dog Rose, Apple Rose, lium; Rough Chervil, Chærophyllum Downy-leaved Dog Rose, and Sweet temulentum ; Masterwort, Impera- Briar, Rosa arvensis, villosa, tomentoria Ostruthium; Carraway, Carum tosa, & rubiginosa; Hiptree, R. cacarui; Water Elder, Viburnum opu- nina; Dewberry, Stonebramble, and lus; Common Elder, Sambucus nigra ; Cloudberry, Rubus cæsius, saxatilis, Bladdernut Tree, Staphylea pinnata; & chamamorus; Shrubby CinqueBlue Flax, Linum perenne; Purging foil, Silverweed, Strawberry-flowered Flax, L. catharticum; Chive Garlic, Cinquefoil, Hoary Cinquefoil, and Allium schænoprasum; Spiked Star common Creeping Cinquefoil, Potenof Bethlehem, Ornithogalum pyre- tilla fruticosa, anserina, rupestris, arnaicum; Mountain Spiderwort, An- gentea, & reptans; Common and trailthericum serotinum; Narrow-leaved ing Tormentil, Tormentilla officinalis Solomon's Seal, Convallaria verticil- & reptans; Water Avens, Geum rilata; Sweet Flag, Acorus calamus; vale; Marsh Cinquefoil, Comarum Curled Dock, Rumex crispus; Moun- palustre; Long rough-headed, and tain Sorrel, R. digynus: Common smooth-headed Poppy, Papaver argeSorrel, R. acetosa; Sheep's Sorrel, mone & dubium; Corn Poppy, P. R. acetosella; Star-headed Water Rhæas; Yellow Poppy, P. CambriPlantain, Alisma damasonium; Al- cum; Ledum-leaved Cistus, C. ledipine Willow Herb, Epilobium alpi- folius; White Mountain Cistus, C. num; Whortleberry and Cranberry, polifolius; Field Larkspur, DelphiVaccinium vitis idæa & oxycoccus; num consolida; Alpine and Lesser Heath, Erica vulgaris; Irish Heath, Meadow Rue, Greater Meadow Rue, E. dabeoci; Snakeweed, Polygonum Thalictrum alpinum, minus, & majus; bistorta; Alpine Bistort, P. vivifa- Lesser Spearwort, Ranunculus flamrum; Black Bindweed, P. convolvu- mula; Pale Hairy Crawfoot, R. hirsu 495 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. 496 beard, C. biennis; Swine's Succory, Hyoseris minima; Smooth Cat's-Ear, Hypochæris glabra; Long-rooted Cat's-Ear, H. radicata; Nipplewort, Lapsana communis; Spear Thistle, Carduus lanceolatus; and three other kinds; Carline, Carlina vulgaris; Mountain Cudweed, Gnaphalium dioicum; Inelegant Ragwort, Senecio squalidus ; Marsh Groundsel, S. aludosus; Marsh Fleawort, Cineraria palustris; White Oxeye, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum; Yellow Oxeye, C. scgetum ; Common Feverfew, Pyrethrum parthenium; Corn and Stinking Chamomile, Anthemis arvensis & cotula; Milfoil, Achillea millefolium; Black Knapweed, Centaurea nigra; Butterfly Orchis, O. bifolia; Dwarf Orchis, O. ustulata; Spotted Palmate Orchis, O. maculata;__Aromatic Orchis, O. conopsea; Frog Satyrion, Satyrium viride; White Satyrion, S. albidum; Coral-rooted Ophrys, 0. corallorhiza ; Ovate Ophrys, Ò. ovata; Musk Ophrys, O. monorchis; Greenman Ophrys, O. anthropophora; Fly Ophrys, O. muscifera; Ladies' Slipper, Cypripedium calceolus; White Hellebore, Serapias grandiflora ; Narrow-leaved Helleborine, S. ensifolia ; Purple Helleborine, S. rubra; Three species of Duckweed, Lemna; Lesser Reedmace, Typha angustifolia; Flea Carex, C. pulicaris; and fifteen other species; Plantain Shoreweed, Littorella lacustris; Roman Nettle, Urtica pilulifera; and small and great Nettle, tus; Creeping Crowfoot, R. repens; | beard, C. tectorum; Rough Hawk's Upright Meadow Crowfoot, R. acris; Corn Crowfoot, R. arvensis; Corn Mint, Mentha arvensis; Yellow Rattle, Rhinanthus crista galli; Marsh Lousewort, Pedicularis palustris ; Pasture Lousewort, P. sylvatica; Yellow Toadflax, Antirrhinum linaria; Least Snapdragon, A. minus; Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea; Greater Broomrape, Orobanche major; Cress Rocket, Vella annua; Gold of Pleasure, Alyssum sativum; Narrow-leav'd Pepperwort, Lepidium ruderale; Penny Cress, Thlaspi arvense; Common Hairy Mithridate Mustard, T. campestre & hirtum; Alpine Shepherd's Purse, T. alpestre; Swine's Cress, Coronopus ruellii; Lesser Wart-cress, C. didyma; Sea Rocket, Bunias cakile; Water Cress, Sisymbrium nasturtium; Creeping Water Rocket, S. sylvestre; Annual Water Rocket, S. terrestre; Great Water Rocket, S. amphibium; Dwarf Sea Rocket, S. monense; Hedge Mustard, Erysimum officinale; Alpine Rock Cress, Arabis hispida; Perfoliate Cabbage, Brassica orientalis; Field Cabbage, B. campestris; White and Common Mustard, Sinapis alba & nigra; Wild Radish, Raphanus raphanistrum; | Hemlock Stork's Bill, Erodium cicutarium; Muscovy, E. moschatum; Wood Geranium,G. sylvaticum; Crowfoot-leaved Geranium, G. pratense; Small-flowered Geranium, G. pusillum; Round-leaved Geranium, G. rotundifolium; Long-stalked Geranium, G. columbinum; Dwarf Mallow, Mal-U. urens & dioica; Bryony, Tamus via rotundifolia; Ramping Fumitory, Fumaria capreolata; Whiteclimbing Fumitory, F. claviculata; Milkwort, Polygala vulgaris; Restharrow, Ononis arvensis; Kidney Vetch, Anthyllis vulneraria; Yellow Lathyrus, L. aphaca; Hairy-flowered Yellow Vetch, Vicia hybrida; Smooth Tare, Ervum tetraspermum; Hairy Tare, E. hirsutum; Saintfoin, Hedysarum onobrychis; Sweet-milk Vetch, Astragalus glycyphyllos; Purple Mountain Milk Vetch, A. hypoglottis; Sulphur-coloured Trefoil, Trifolium ochroleucum; and six other species; Lucerne, Medicago sativa; Hairy St. John's Wort, Hypericum hirsutum; Yellow Goat's Beard, Tragopogon pratensis; Bristly Oxtongue, Picris echioides; Marsh Dandelion, Leontodon palustre; Stinking Hawk's beard, Crepis foctida; Smooth Hawk's communis; Spreading halberd-leaved and narrow-leaved Orache, Atriplex patula & angustifolia; Forty species of Grass, (Phalaris, Panicum, Phleum, Alopecurus, Milium, Agrostis, Aira, Holcus, Melica, Poa, Dactylis, Festuca, Bromus, Avena, Lagurus, Elymus, Hordeum, & Triticum genera) come into blossom in June. MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND TIMES (Continued from col. 426.) In these circumstances, the cardinals experienced great difficulty, in determining what steps it would be most advisable to take. If they declined the election, they had reason to dread sedition on the part of the Roman populace, and deceit on the part of Benedict; and if they proceeded 497 Memoirs of Leonardo Aretino. 498 to nominate a pontiff, they were pain- | honour and integrity. On weighing fully uncertain as to his future deter- the merits of each member of the minations. At length, they adopted sacred college with these views, their the opinion of that party who advised choice, at length, unanimously fell on them to elect a pontiff, but to bind Angelo Corrario, a Venetian, and a him, by a most weighty obligation, to man of ancient strictness and sancvacate the pontifical chair in case of tity, who had been a little time bethe abdication of his rival. When fore, by the influence of the late Ponthey had entered the conclave with tiff, promoted from the patriarchate this intention, there arrived in Rome of Constantinople to the dignity of Giovanni dei Dominici, the ambas- Cardinal. On leaving the conclave, sador of the Florentine republic. At Angelo, who had adopted the name of his request, the window of the con- Gregory XII. renewed, in his ponticlave was opened, contrary to all pre-fical capacity, the promise, vow, and cedent, and he was permitted to address the fathers. The substance of his speech was, that he was sent by the Florentine people to exhort the cardinals to forbear from proceeding to the election, as such forbearance was the most certain way of effecting an union. This practised orator, enlarging upon the above-mentioned topic with great eloquence, appeared to make a considerable impression upon the fathers, who were of themselves much inclined to his opinion. They, however, answered, that as they had entered the conclave, they would proceed to the election, but would make sufficient provision, that whosoever should be elected, he should un-nardo derstand that he was not appointed as pontiff, but merely as a procurator to abdicate the papal dignity. oath, which he had uttered, when but a private ecclesiastic, and spoke upon the subject of union in such terms, as to induce his auditors to believe that he would spare no pains to obtain so desirable an end.* The conference between these learned dignitaries being thus terminated, the fathers returned to their business, and adopted the following precaution: Each of them solemnly promised and vowed to God, and took a sacred oath, that if he should be nominated to the vacant chair, he would write to invite the Antipope to concur with him in abdicating the pontifical dignity; that he would use his utmost endeavours to promote the unity of the church; and that he would in honest truth, and without fraud, as soon as possible, communicate by letter to all Christian kings and princes, this his solemn promise, vow, and oath, to the end that they might be witnesses of the serious obligation which he had imposed upon himself. When they had fully and particularly entered these proceedings in a register, and had individually signed them, they next began to consider whom it would be advisable to elect. They stood in need of a man, not so much qualified by his skill in business, as by his This important occasion, presented Leonardo with another opportunity of distinguishing himself as a scholar, and a man of business. The task of drawing up the letter, inviting Benedict to concur in the proposed abdication, being assigned to several of the most learned and able members of the Roman chancery, each of whom was desired to draw up an epistle to that purport; the composition of Leo was unanimously acknowledged to be the best, and it was accordingly adopted by the new Pontiff. The satisfaction which he experienced, in the flattering testimony thus paid to his merits, induced him to listen with indifference to a proposal which was about this time made to him by Nicolo Nicoli, to stand candidate for the office of Secretary to the Florentine republic, which was then vacant in consequence of the death of the successor to Colucio Salutati. To obviate certain suspicions which Nicolo seems to have intimated, that his official engagements would preclude him from the cultivation of literature; he adverted, in his reply, to the above-mentioned triumph, and at the same time communicated to him a translation of one of the Philippics of Demosthenes, promising that this should soon be followed by a version of the famous Oration for Ctesiphon.+ Leonardo was confirmed in his preference of the pontifical secretaryship to that of the Florentine republic, by * Leon. Aret. Epist. lib. ii. ep. 3. 499 Benefit derived from Learning, the Arts, &c. 500 his sanguine hopes, that, in conse- | strength decline, he was distressed by quence of the steps taken by the the reflection that his son Salutati was sacred college in the late election, an precluded, by a weakness of sight, end would be put to the schism which from promoting his own success in had so long distracted the Christian the world by any active occupation. community.* But these hopes were He had therefore recommended him soon frustrated. A very satisfactory to the particular attention of Leonardo, at the time when he took his last leave of him, on his departure to the Roman court. Nor had Leonardo been unmindful of the interest of his young ward. He had frequently solicited both Innocent and Gregory to appoint him to some eligible ecclesiastical living; but so great was the number and so vigilant the eagerness of expectants, that he had hitherto been disappointed. At length, finding his petitioned in the name of another, he determined to solicit on his own behalf two vacant benefices; namely, a Canonicate of Florence, and the Priorship of the monastery of Fiessole. Having obtained these gifts from the liberality of his master, he took an early opportunity of resigning them in favour of his youthful friend.|| answer to the letter of the Roman Pontiff was indeed received from Be nedict; and Savona was appointed as a proper place for the definitive meet- | ing of the rival Popes, and of the Cardinals, who, by a new election, were to restore peace to the church. But the relations of Gregory, looking with eager eyes upon places of power and emolument, endeavoured to divert him from his resolution to abdicate the papal chair. Their entrea-wishes constantly frustrated, when he ties and insinuations were powerfully seconded by the intrigues of Ladislaus, king of Hungary, who was apprehensive, that should the choice of the conclave fall upon a Frenchman, his claims upon the kingdom of Naples would be invalidated in favour of the duke of Anjou. The proposed meeting at Savona was therefore declined, to the great disgrace of Gregory, who began still more to suffer in the public estimation, in consequence of a sudden and unprovoked attack which was made by the troops of the king of Hungary, upon the city of Rome, as it was thought not without his connivance. During the tumults occasioned by this act of violence, the Pontiff took refuge in the castle of St. Angelo; and the Hungarian troops being at length repulsed, with considerable loss, by Odo Colonna, he soon found himself so obnoxious to the public resentment, that he determined to quit his capital, and repair to Siena.§ During the residence of the pontifical court in that city, Leonardo was happily enabled to testify his grateful remembrance of the kindness of his old preceptor Colucio Salutati, by conferring an important benefit upon one of his sons. Colucio had left several children, concerning whose future destiny he was little anxious, from the cheerful confidence that they would be able to provide for themselves, by the exercise of their respective talents. But, as he felt his *Leon. Aret. Epist. lib. ii. ep. 4. + Leon. Aret. Epist. lib. ii. ep. 7. § Ibid Epist. ix. About this time, Leonardo appears to have employed, or rather abused, his leisure hours, in composing an oration, supposed to be spoken by Elagabalus to the common strumpets of Rome.¶ This composition was published by Aldus Manutius, in an edition of the minor writers of the Augustan History, printed at Venice, A. D. 1516, and 1519. Leon. Aret. Epist. lib. ii. ep. 11. (To be continued.) THE BENEFIT DERIVED FROM LEARN- Ingenuas dedicisse fideliter artes 501 Benefit derived from Learning, the Arts, &c. ing increases, so much the better will be their condition. In the first place, it adorns human nature. Man, although inferior in this state of being, is capable of grasping high attainments. We have had many instances of this, both in our own country, and in other regions. We are compelled to admire the searching talents of a Locke: and we are thunderstruck, but at the same time proud, at the almost super-human abilities of a Newton. Thomson singing of Britain's worthies, says of the great philosopher, "Let Newton, pure Intelligence! whom God "To mortals lent, to trace his boundless works "From laws sublimely simple, speak thy fame "In all philosophy." 502 which it might derive from other stu- morem, Parcere subjectis, et debellare superbos. blessing; she rises in the scale of dignity, and is better able to accom→ plish the great ends of civil society. The man, whose attainments are What an ornament to the nation, vast and useful, carries with him a are the fine arts! What utility do the kind of nobility. The barren waste mechanical arts yield! When a nawhich overspreads his mind, is culti- tion is replete with learning and learnvated and become fruitful; the re-ed men, it is indeed an incalculable wards of his labour and industry fully satisfy him. "He that can comprehend the regulations by which the heavenly bodies are held, who can If then a nation is so much benephilosophically search out the works fited by learning, ought it not to be of Nature, not only enjoys and rea- encouraged? Undoubtedly. First, lizes a pleasure unknown to the igno- then, a free circulation ought to be rant, but is enabled with more rap-given to books. The people of Eng ture and admiration to adore the Au- land enjoy this privilege. Undue rethor of all those wondrous works." straint creates fear; and learned persons could hardly venture on the task of publication, if attempts to check knowledge by this method existed. A full circulation ought to second every attempt to do good; and when a man is released from fear, he will tear off reserve in his literary endeavours. When the Arts and Sciences are to be seen in a nation, what a difference do they cause, if properly directed, between that nation and one which is overwhelmed by the darkness of ignorance, by luxury and folly? They render mankind sensible of their situation they exhibit to their view an extensive surface, on which is depicted their real circumstances, and the point upon which their prosperity depends. They order their affairs, provide for the different conveniences of life, and in a great measure bestow happiness. Even those arts which are not absolutely necessary to society, but which are ornamental and ingenious, ought to be praised and coun tenanced. In public life, what advantages do good oratory and public speaking possess! of what vast importance are expertness in the art of government and learning, and great information in a minister of the State! There is reason to differ from the ancient Romans in this respect. They separated the art of government from any ornament Learning ought to be encouraged by patronage. Literary societies ought to be supported. Confidence and perseverance in the pursuit of an object, are the effects of support, especially if it come from high authority. Learned and ingenious men ought to be stimulated by rewards, to further labour in their praiseworthy occupation; and rewards should not be bestowed indiscriminately. There must be a scale of merit; and the recompense ought to correspond with the situation an individual holds in that scale. This will cause emulation; -a great assistant to excellence. Such men should be looked up to, and consulted on difficult subjects. They have, as it were, a legislative authority in matters of learning and science. They possess something |