surprise and dislike the savage portraits of their forefathers. They had become less addicted to war, and fonder of the gentler pursuits of hunting and falconry. The Italians could not at first sufficiently express their astonishment at beholding hawks trained to obey the voice of a master, and bring down his prey at the word of command.

Twenty-one Lombard kings successively mounted the throne. Their reigns are distinguished by few events of interest, and the Lombard power gradually decayed till it was finally extinguished by Charlemagne. Of Luitprand, the seventeenth king of Lombardy, the following interesting anecdote is related.

Information was brought to him that two of his courtiers, in whom he reposed particular confidence, had conspired against his life. As the proofs of their guilty design were too strong to admit of doubt, he resolved to speak to them openly on the subject, and summoned them into his presence. On their appearing before him, he asked them, with some gravity, whether they had not always found him a kind friend. They answered that they had. He then inquired of them whether he had not always consulted them on all occasions, and confided to them his most secret thoughts and intentions. They replied in the affirmative. "Then," demanded Luitprand, mildly, "how comes it that

you could find it in your hearts to conspire against the life of so kind a friend? What advantage could you hope to enjoy, if purchased with my death? Should you be likely to find as gentle a master in my successor? Were you so blind as to imagine that you would be permitted to share a throne rendered vacant by so perfidious an act? Even should you have obtained it, methinks its possession would have been imbittered by the memory of your treachery, and your constant suspicions and jealousy of each other. You now perceive that the most secret thoughts of your bosoms have been as open to my eyes, as mine ever have been to yours. How can you answer for yourselves?" The guilty courtiers, filled with the most lively terror at this appeal, were unable to conceal their dismay, and fell, pale and trembling, at their master's feet. "Rise, my friends," said Luitprand, with gentleness, "I am convinced that whatever your past intentions may have been, you will henceforth be my most zealous and faithful servants. restore you to my full affection and confidence, and trust I shall never find occasion to say that it has been misplaced."

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The monarch's clemency filled the two courtiers with contrition, and their after conduct gave him no reason to repent its exercise.

Luitprand was very anxious to make himself

master of the whole of Italy, but his attempt was unsuccessful. Certain rebels against his authority having been threatened with punishment, escaped to Rome, and threw themselves on the protection of the Pope. He afforded them shelter, and refused to give them up to the King of Lombardy, or to oblige them to quit Rome. This offended Luitprand, who was glad of an opportunity to take up arms against a city which he hoped to add to his own dominions. He collected his forces, ravaged the papal territories, and laid siege to Rome.

Gregory the Third, terrified at his approach, sent messenger after messenger to the King of France, imploring assistance. His letters, messages, and presents of precious relics (among which were some filings of the chain that had bound St. Peter!) produced little effect on the French monarch, who was Luitprand's ally, and had no wish to embroil himself in the Pope's quarrels. At length Gregory, being reduced to the utmost difficulty, tempted him with a powerful bribe. He offered to bestow on him the consular dignity of Rome, and to make a solemn renunciation of allegiance to the Emperor of the West. The French king found it impossible to resist this proposal; all scruples at breaking his alliance with Luitprand melted away, and he hastily levied forces for the defence of the Pope; of which Luitprand no sooner heard than he raised the siege,

and returned to Lombardy with what convenient speed he might.

Pope Gregory, though relieved from his peril, had set a dangerous example in inviting France to intermeddle with the affairs of Italy, which, being followed by many of his successors, produced the most fatal consequences.

THE UNGRATEFUL VERONESE.

A. D. 924.

THE Lombards kept possession of their kingdom till the year 773, when Charlemagne, Emperor of Germany and France, entered their territories, sent their king prisoner to Paris, and invested himself with the iron crown of Lombardy.

This crown was regarded by the Italians with superstitious veneration, having been presented to Constantine the Great by his mother, St. Helena, who affirmed it to be made of the nails which had fastened our Saviour to the cross. It consisted of an iron ring, within a circlet of gold, and was kept in the cathedral of Monza, over the altar, guarded with the utmost vigilance. Charlemagne placed this crown on his head with his own hands, exclaiming "God has given it to me; beware who touches it!" He was afterwards crowned King of

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master of the whole of Italy, but his attempt was unsuccessful. Certain rebels against his authority having been threatened with punishment, escaped to Rome, and threw themselves on the protection of the Pope. He afforded them shelter, and refused to give them up to the King of Lombardy, or to oblige them to quit Rome. This offended Luitprand, who was glad of an opportunity to take up arms against a city which he hoped to add to his own dominions. He collected his forces, ravaged the papal territories, and laid siege to Rome.

Gregory the Third, terrified at his approach, sent messenger after messenger to the King of France, imploring assistance. His letters, messages, and presents of precious relics (among which were some filings of the chain that had bound St. Peter!) produced little effect on the French monarch, who was Luitprand's ally, and had no wish to embroil himself in the Pope's quarrels. At length Gregory, being reduced to the utmost difficulty, tempted him with a powerful bribe. He offered to bestow on him the consular dignity of Rome, and to make a solemn renunciation of allegiance to the Emperor of the West. The French king found it impossible to resist this proposal; all scruples at breaking his alliance with Luitprand melted away, and he hastily levied forces for the defence of the Pope; of which Luitprand no sooner heard than he raised the siege,