Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-09-22
COMMUNICATIONS.

OF L. G. l.. Simonde de Sismond, and is an inter-
esting story connected with the History of the
Italian Republicans, published by him some years
since. The incident related was in the latter
part of the fourteenth century, during the con-
tinuance of the long wars between the two rival
factions, the Guelphs and Ghebelines We thank
our young correspondent for this easy and flowing
version, and shall be happy to receive further
communications from the same source.
Sismondi is well known in the literary world for the
work above mentioned as also for his History of
Franee,-a review of the efforts and progress OF
Of nations during the last tscentyJue gears, pub
lished in the Revue Encyclopedique, a novel Of
the fifth century, called Julia Severa, some con-
tributions to the Ne,O Monthly, &c. &c.
FOR THE LANCASTER GAZETTE.
The following is an extract from the His
tory of the Italian Republick of the Middle
Ages, by M. de Sismondi, and may be read
with interest as illustrative of the manners,
the virtues, and the vices of the Italians OF
that period -
A contemporary Siomiese Historian re-
lates an anecdote of the year 1895, which
appears calculated to give an idea of the
manners of that age. The dignity of histo-
ry may sometimes descend to relate the ad-
ventures of private individuals if the inter-
est which they excite is found mingled with
instruction. The ancient family of Monta-
mini had been, during the period of several
generations, at war with that of the Salem
bini. The enmity of these two houses had
commenced at boar-hunt, in which Sa-
lembini was killed. This was followed bv
an exasperated war in the course of which
the family of Montanini was almost entirely
destroyed. All their estates were invaded
or confiscated and there remained of this
illustrious house only brother and sister.
Charles and Angelica were the children of
Thomas Montanini. They dwelt in the bal
de StroUe on small estate hardly exceeding
in value thousand forms. They had re-
duced their expenses within the revenues
of this remnant of the vast domains of their
ancestors. A neighbour was DESTROYS of
acquiring this little property in order to
round off his possessions. He was politi-
tician who possessed great influence in the
government of Sienna. He belonged to
that jealous and suspicious Oligarchy which,
under the auspices of the Salembini, seized
on the government in 1890. Charles Mon
tanini, however, rejected the repeated sol-
citations of his neighbour to sell him his
patrimony, having determined to retain it in
order to bestow it as marriage portion up
on his young and beautiful sister Angelica.
The neighbour, to revenge the refusal OF
Charles, and to render it impossible for him
to preserve his property, accused him to the
government of being concerned in conspira-
cy with the Guelphs and the mobiles against
the Salembini and the popular government.
The hereditary hatred of these two houses
gave probability to this accusation, and
the credit of the accuser confirmed it. The
life of Charles however was spared on condi-
ton OF his paying, within Is days, fine of a
thousand forms. Nevertheless the avidity OF
the accuser was disappointed for Montana
nj preferred awaiting his fate in prison to sell
ling the last remnant of the Inheritance OF
his ancestors, and thereby reduce his sister
to complete poverty. He had maternal re-
lations living, but none of them dare risk
the danger of relieving him from the fear
Of exciting the suspicious of the govern
ment, and consequently draw upon them
selves the same ruin. The women alone
went daily to the residence of Montanini to
offer consolation and to weep with the un-
fortunate Angelica. On the morning of the
18th day Anselmo Salembini, passing before
the house of Montanini on horseback, saw
these women in tears, and learnt from them
the danger that threatened the last of an
illustrions family so long a rival of his own.
He had already remarked the beauty of An
gelica, but had never addressed her or her
brother, the torrents of blood shed in the
quarrels OF their ancestors being ever pres
ent to the minds of both. Anselmo, how
ever, moved with compassion at this last
catastrophe, went Immediately to the treas
urer of the commonwealth and paid the fine.
fie then sent to the guardian of the prison
and ordered the enlargement of Montanini.
The latter, surprised and astonished at being
released at moment when he expected
nothing but death, returned to his sister
whom ne found pray to the most cruel ap-
prehenslons, but neither she nor her friends
could explain or comprehend how his liber-
ty had been obtained. The residence Of
Montanini was soon thronged with friends
and relations who come to congratulate him.