varied from three hundred to five hundred in a day; and, "since the destruction of Jerusalem, and the fall of Troy," says Gataro, "never was earthly city so overwhelmed as the unfortunate Padua."

The assault from without was carried on with the utmost fury; and the Venetians shot upwards of three hundred notices into the city to this effect:-" Paduans! the signory gives notice, that if within ten days you do not surrender, every thing shall be given up to fire and sword, and the fate of Zara* and Candia become the fate of your city." These warnings added to the grief of the people, who were already sufficiently troubled at beholding the seed-time lost, the live stock destroyed, and the ravages of war, pestilence, and famine. They rose tumultuously against Carrara, crying vehemently for peace; and he was forced to promise to treat with the Venetian generals. He accordingly sent to demand a safe-conduct; and, having obtained it, repaired to the enemy's camp, and made known to the generals his wish to surrender on equitable terms. They replied, that they had not power to treat with him; but that they would send to ascertain the pleasure of

* Zara, on the coast of Dalmatia, deemed in that age one of the strongest cities in the world, had been sacked by the Venetians in the year 1202.

K

the signory; and if he would in the meanwhile resign to them the city and castle, in token of submission, they would pledge their word to restore them to him, if the accommodation was not effected. Trusting to their honour, Francesco with a heavy heart complied; and they then urged him to hasten to Venice, and throw himself on the generosity of the signory. Francesco communicated this proposal to his son, who earnestly entreated him not to go without a safe-conduct; saying, it would be better to shut themselves up in their castle, and set fire to it, than trust to the mercy of Venice. He added, "Father, if we go, we go to death; nevertheless, if you are resolved to set out, I cheerfully obey." The signor saw no better alternative; and, relying on the honour of the Venetian generals, he embarked with his son in a covered boat, which carried them to Venice. Surrounded by an immense multitude, they proceeded to the hall of the great council, where they threw themselves at the feet of the doge, who commanded them to rise, and addressed to them a long and bitter speech, enlarging on the kind offices which the Carrara had received from Venice, and the ungrateful return they had made. The unfortunate nobleman, without seeking to extenuate the charge, only besought forgiveness and mercy. Without receiving any answer to his

entreaties, he and his son were removed from the doge's presence, and conducted into the prison where Giacomo was confined. On meeting in such mournful and unexpected circumstances, they abandoned themselves to their long-repressed emotions; and their embraces and tears would have melted a heart of adamant. They were allowed to remain several days together, and were then placed in separate cells.

The council, meantime, were deliberating on what was to be the fate of the unhappy prisoners. No sentiments of honcur prevailed to induce them to keep the pledge which their generals had given of restoring them the city. Padua was now in their hands, no matter by what means, and they intended to keep it. With regard to the Carrara family, they thought of imprisoning them in an iron cage, as an awful warning to all that should dream of disputing the authority of Venice. The cage was made; but Del Verme, the implacable enemy of the Carrara, urged so many reasons for putting them to death, that the council of Ten acceded to his wishes; and Benedict, an aged monk who had frequently acted as Francesco's confessor, was despatched to announce his sentence. The poor old man sorrowfully fulfilled his mission; and, having confessed the signor, and administered the sacrament, took

leave of him with many tears. No sooner was he gone, than the executioners of the hard sentence, with four of the council to see it performed, entered the dungeon. Francesco, impetuous and high-spirited to the last, resolved not to submit unresisting to what he considered so unjust a decree, and put himself in a posture of defence. For some time his strength and agility enabled him to keep them off; and yielding at length only to numbers, he met his death.

The friar then went on his mournful errand to the sons. They were allowed to take leave of each other; and the most cruel of the bystanders wept at beholding the tenderness of their last farewell. Francesco Terzo was then separated from his brother, and taken to the scene of his father's death, where he met the same fate. On the return of the executioners to Giacomo, he asked them, in a hoarse voice, if all was over with his beloved brother. They answered in the affirmative; upon which he raised his eyes to heaven with a deep sigh, and prayed God to have pity on his soul. He then entreated permission to write a few lines to his wife, the Lady Belfiore, to whom he had only been married a few months. They brought him writing materials; and, with a shaking hand and eyes brimful of tears, he traced his last farewell to his young bride, and having finished it,

committed it to the care of one of his guards. Then, flinging himself on his knees, he exclaimed, "Into thy hands, O! Lord, I commit my spirit!" and was immediately strangled.

There yet remained two younger sons of Francesco Novello; of whom, Ubertino, who greatly resembled his brother Giacomo in virtue, mildness of manners, and personal beauty, died at the age of eighteen at Florence; and Marsilio, the youngest, having made an ineffectual attempt to recover Padua, was seized by the Venetians, and beheaded in the Place of St. Mark. Thus ended the house of Carrara, which, if its annals are allowed to contain occasional instances of barbarism, is more distinguished for public virtue, and private excellence and affection, than any contemporary house in Italy. Compare the Carrara with the Visconti or Gonzaga, and how venial appear their failings, how brilliantly shine their virtues !

THE FALL OF PISA.

A. D. 1406.

HAD Florence interposed between the vengeance of Venice and the weakness of Padua, the unfortunate Carrara might have been saved; but, at the