Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-05

Formafia'r ofthe Kingdoms of Modern En-
rofe, otter the tail IF the Roman En-
| fire-Continued
ITALY.
The country of Italy is, without contra
| dicton, the most interesting of Europe on ac
count OF its history. its extraordinary works
| and Its soil; it possesses one OF the most de,
licious temperatures of the earth and it ha.
| been the cradle of the arts, the school Of
4 taste, the repository of the master-works o
| antiquity and of modern beauties. Ancicntly
I Italy vanquished and subiugated the universe
| bdt, as II she were doomed to expiate in The
| most cruel manner so elevated fortune, she
| has since been trodden under feet by all ma
| tions.
10 the anarchy produced in Italy by the
dismemberment of the empire of Charlie
| magne, succeeded by conquest, the DONNA
ton OF the emperors of Germany. Their
power was absolute during the times of the
family of SAKE; but it was greatly shaken
under that of Franconia, and totally destroy
ed under that of Suabia, by the intrigues and
| the policy ofthe Popes who, dreading such
powerful neighbors, contrived to keep them
In state of perpetual embarrassment at
home and abroad. This famous quarrel be-
tween the EInpcrors and the Popes, known
under the name of the war of the Priesthood,
or of the Guelphs and Ghi5bcllines, contin
ued three centuries, during which Italy, af-
ter experiencing all the miseries and hor-
rors of fanaticism, of confusion, and of intes-
tine broils, finally took the form which, in
great measure, it has preserved to our
days.
This form embraces variety of subordi-
nate principalities. Of Naples / have alrea-
dy spoken. Tuscany, after innumerable re-
voutions and troubles without end, together
with Florence, found repose and happiness
under the administration of the Medici who
reigned a long time by the reputation of their
virtues before they reigned under the au-
thority of a title. Alexander, the first duke,
was created by Charles V. in 1881. Plus W
elevated Cosmo to the dignity ofgrand duke
in 1869. This country, on the extinction of
the house of Medici, passed to that of Lor-
raine in 1897, ON condition that it should ne
yer be united 70 the Austrian Monarchy. In
1902 it passed, by treaty, from the house of
Lorraine to the Bourbons of Parma, who
possess it at this time under the appellation
of the kingdom of Eturia.
Parma and Placenza, after having been
given by the Popes to the house of Farnesc,
passed, on its extinction, to-G- branch of the
Bourbons of Spain, who, not long ago, ceded
it to France in exchange for the Kingdom of
Etruria.
Medena, possessed for long time by the
house of Este, was merged by late changes
in the modern kingdom of Italy. Its sover-
eign, the last male of the family, received
the Brisgaw as an indemnity.
Milan and Mantua, by various political
circumstances, passed to the house of Aus
tria, in IVA and 1908. This division of tia
ly has disappeared under recent arrange
Doc Of b., L, of
ly.
Genoa, after multitude ofrevolutions, be-
came, in 1923, by the courage of the famous
Andrew Doria, a celebrated ariStocratcal
republic. which lost its constitution by the
late revolutions of Europe, and was united
to France in 1905.
Piedmont and Montferrat accrued to the
house of Savoy by marriage, by the favor, or
grant of the emperors. The revolutions
which affected so many other states, annex
ed these also to France.
Venice, which had formed itself in lapse
of time, into an aristocratical republic, and
which has existed until our days, displaying
much of wisdom, of glory, of policy, and of
power, has disappeared amidst the convuI-
SionS of modern times, and at present COM
poses great part of the kingdom ofItaly.
The possessions of the Popes, whose tenn
JOIdi DOWGI was CIlCHJ Oy fcDIn
and Charlcmagne, and which were eonsid-
erably increased by papal policy and the in
huence of spiritual authority, have been en-
tirely wrested from the Holy Father Part
of these possessions have been Incorporated
with the Kingdom Of Italy, and part have
been politically united to the French empire.
AS consolation to the Romans for the loss
of their Pontiff, Napoleon has proclaimed
Rome the second imperial city of his domi-
mons, and is now exerting himself to cleanse
and cmbellish that ancient mistress of the
world.
Besides these divisions of Italy, whose des-
tiny have briefly traced, there are others
ct less importance and as political views
change, there will doubtless be alterations
made in the political geography of that pc
niusula. Of particular sovereignties which
now exist there, Benevento has been given
to Talleyrand; and Ponte-C orvo was lately
tho property of Marshal Bernadotte The
latter having been recently elected heir-ap-
parent to the crown of Sweden, 1t is not GER
tain that he will continue to hold MS Italian
principality. 1t is worthy Of remembrance,
that the little republic of San Marine, which
does not contain more than seven thousand
inhabitants, and can boast of thirteen centu-
ries OF existence, is still suffered to remain
independent.
The painter who should pretend to define
ate on tie map Of Italy, the marches and tho
conflicts of the various armies which, at diff
ferent periods, have harassed its population
and stained its soil with blood would soon
find his pallet exhausted of colors and his
tablet devoid OF intelligence. shall, there
fore. not attempt to pourtray in words what
would be so difficult for The pencil and, a
bandoning the military tracks Of Bonararte,
Of SuWgrrONv. of Oh auuiouef an,r IS ~ I'll, =