both sides, and the feudal service of the peasantry had ceased to be required. But in the times of the Carrara, the warlike spirit of the Italians had been rekindled by Alberic de Barbiano, a chieftain of Romagna, who formed a company composed exclusively of Italians, which soon rivalled those of the French, English, and Germans. This band, called by the name of St. George, was the school in which many of the most celebrated leaders of the following age were formed, and thenceforth Italian condottieri gradually took place of foreigners. Barbiano was succeeded in command by Braccio di Montone, a young and high-spirited commander, whose talents soon caused him to be coveted as an ally by the contending states. As soon as it became evident that Florence must consider Naples as her enemy, the republic took Montone and other condottieri into pay; and though her forces were still greatly inferior to those of Ladislaus, it was hoped that the genius of Montone would balance the deficiency of numbers. But the Florentines did not here rest satisfied. They invited Louis of Anjou once more to enter the field as the rival of Ladislaus, and courted the alliance of Sienna and Bologna. Louis, with sanguine hopes of success which his previous ill fortune could not justify, hastened into Italy, and the allied army marched to Rome, of which they ob

tained possession through the treachery of the Ursini.

This advantage was not improved as it ought to have been, owing to the poverty or indolence of Louis, and the quarrels of the condottieri. Florence, finding that she had to support the whole burden of the war, made a separate peace with Ladislaus, who was now in too great an extremity to maintain his ambitious project of subverting the republic. Louis thus lost his best ally, but at length, rousing his dormant energy, he crossed the Neapolitan frontiers at the head of twelve thousand cuirassiers. He found Ladislaus waiting for him at Rocca Secca, and assaulted his position so furiously, that the Neapolitan army was driven from the field. No sooner did Louis's soldiers perceive their advantage, than their sole object was to gain as many prisoners and as much booty as possible, and the true end of the battle was lost in the greediness of each for his share of the plunder. Ladislaus, who had saved himself by flight, finding that he was not pursued, took courage, and sent heralds to the enemy's camp, with supplies of gold, and directions to ransom as many prisoners as they could. By this means, his whole army was soon purchased back, for scarcely any one had been slain; and he was afterwards heard to remark, with a smile, that "on

the first day after his defeat, his person and kingdom were in Louis's power; on the second, his person was safe, but his kingdom still open to his enemy; but on the third, the fruits of the victory had flown." When Louis of Anjou at length collected his scattered army and advanced towards Naples, all the defiles were already secured by Ladislaus; the condottieri, unable to obtain further booty, became dissatisfied and ungovernable, and the number of their followers was daily diminished by want and sickness. Louis, finding that the tide in his affairs had turned, became dejected and desponding; he disbanded his forces, and quitted Italy, never to return. Ladislaus had now once more an opportunity of revolving his ambitious schemes; but at the period when, having ravaged the territory of Romagna, he had excited universal fear and detestation in Italy, a sudden illness hurried him to the grave. He was succeeded by his sister Joanna, whose vices are disgraceful to the page of history.

The great schism, which had so long troubled and perplexed all Europe, was brought to an end in 1418 by the council of Constance, consisting of an immense number of ambassadors, cardinals, and theologians, of various nations, who took on themselves the charge of deposing both the rival popes, and electing Martin the Fifth in their stead.

THE COUNT OF CARMAGNOLA.

A. D. 1432.

FELIPPO Maria Visconti was the second son of that Count di Vertù who was the first to obtain the title of Duke of Milan, and succeeded to the duchy on the death of his elder brother, one of the most atrocious tyrants that ever lived. He was deficient in personal courage, but on coming to the throne he displayed, for a short time, an activity and energy which no one had believed him capable of exerting, and on one occasion he led his troops to battle in person.

It was then that he had an opportunity of remarking the distinguished bravery of a young man who fought under his banners as a simple cuirassier, and of whom little more was known than that his name was Francesco Carmagnola. Struck with the promise which he gave of military talent, the duke thenceforth kept his eye on him, and soon rewarded his valour by promotion. The genius of Carmagnola only required occasion to draw it forth, and his elevation to command quickly enabled him to display his keen judgment and prompt decision. Visconti found him a useful instrument, and placed him at the head of his army. Thenceforth, the Milanese troops carried all before them, and under their young and spirited general

extended their master's territories from the shores of Genoa to the foot of Mount St. Gothard, from the frontiers of Piedmont to the confines of Romagna; the largest extent of dominion that had fallen to the share of any Italian prince since the days of the Lombard monarchs.

Carmagnola, now dignified with the title of count, had the honour of rooting out many of those tyrants who, like the giants of old story, still dwelt in their strong holds among the mountains, and exercised the most barbarous sway over the defenceless inhabitants of the open country. Among these, none were more ferocious than Gabrino Fondolo, tyrant of Cremona, who had acquired possession of that city by the murder of his benefactor and of seventy of the leading citizens, at a banquet to which he had invited them. Just before the council of Constance, Pope John the Twenty-third and the Emperor Sigismund had met at Cremona, and, after discussing their business, proposed seeing what was worthy of a stranger's notice in the city. Fondolo offered his services as an escort, and carried them up to the summit of a tower of tremendous height, to behold the beautiful prospect of the Lombard plains, watered by majestic rivers. While the pope and emperor were regarding the scene with lively admiration, Fondolo, who was "always for ill, and never for