New-York daily tribune., 1865-10-26


The. recent celebration Of the elxth centenary
e,orn the birth of Dante has called forth
se,h interest throughout the civilized world in the
history OF the ustrous Florentine poet and states
MAN. Among the contributions which have beon
suggested by that event, the monograph Of Profess
.or Bots win be found TO possess in an eminent de-
gree themerits of cleaness, happy arrangement OF
letails and singular adaptation to the main intent
of its production. The author has not aimed at
adding to the burdenscme mass of theories with re-
gard 20 the design and significance of Dante Won
sierful poems; he has not been studious of novelty
in his collection of materials for the Illustration oil
Dante's life; nor hes he INDUCED his own rare ap
aitude for refined literary and philosophical discus
s5on. His purpose has been of Il humber, pn'
not less useful character. HIS work has been coi"-
posed not especially for scholars nor even for stu.
dents of Italian literature, but for the gehera! VI
rnaders, who wish 10 obtain precise ana "'''
information concerning name "hicn nus oO '''e
a space in political as woll as literary niS'o'''
The essay commences with an explanation oi uie
roints of distinction between the Gueiphs ana LIZ
Lh;ho,;ro which places in an unusually clear hght
a. ,o1a,iva nosition Of those two famous antag-
ni.,oo.rties in Italian policy. In the tenth cen
,uyv. the Italian people invoked the protection OF
<rho the Great Of Germany, and from that time,
for the most part; remained in union with the Ger
man Empire The King Of the Romans was chosen
nv the electors Of Germany and after being crowned
Nv the Pore was recognized as the head Of the En-
pire; the Pope in his turn, was confirmedin power
by the Emperor, TO whom, up to the thirteenth CEN
tnrv. he ACKNOWLEDGED allegiance. Under Gregory
fad rs iudpOpudpUCe
Empire. and claimed control the civil govern
lent. In the regns Of Henry ~ and OF Henry V"
(O56-ll25 the ducsl families of Welt and WEB
hncen rose TO power and their descendants, Con-
rad and Henry the Proud, became rival claimants
for the imperial dignity, the one supporting the
papal power, the other the imperial. The contest
was transferred to Italy, where the waTcres of the
sontending parties Wef and Wiebhngen, were
naturalized into Guelph and Ghibelini. The
Guelph party was devoted TO the cause of
the Church; the Ghibelins maintained the
rights Of The Empire. The Guelphs were at
first the advocates Of popular liberty; OPP
posed to the anstocratie and imperial power,
.bev became the natural allies of the popCs.
The Ghibelins, on the other hand, were in favor
ef strong government and supported the claim
Of the cmpcros and their vassals. While oppos-
ing the papsey they aimed at the political consoli-
Gaton of the Peninsula. The Guelphs finally
trumphed, the aristocracy was defeated, and the
emperors were mostly confined TO their German
dominions. At the same time, change OF prn-
siples began toappearin both parties. The Guelphs
secure in the possession Of local freedom ceased TO
oppose the nobility and the Emperor though they
remained faithful to the cause of the popes, 10
whom they were indebted for the establishment OF
their power. The GhIbelins, on the other hand,
opposed TO the papGcy, abandoned the cause OF the
arstocracy but continued their devotion to national
unity.
1t was in this age Of transition that Dante was borI
aud nurtured; II was by these influences thet hl'
Senics was inspired Early thrown INTO ihe tprhon .
yubnc hfe he played prominent part in Inc gfca
drama Of his century, as soldier, sthtesmaD au EN-
bassador n supreme magistrate In the most nourslnnt
and advanced Republic OF the plddie ages. Anpoasl
partisan writers have often pofaney nisTepresente
his sentiments, ana the intellectual despotsm WIlc
snce bis time has presided over Italian literature "a
often concealed the Phiiosophic and pohueai lde9s
which form the basis Of bis writings beneath legenGs
idle interpretations, questions of language and pros
ody his irenscendant genius has scared irumphan
over all; and be stands forth the philosopher who's
intellect embraced ell the knowledge Of his time; ID
tbeologian who expressed in popular language the spec
Nlatons Of the divine science the 1eOrin,r who frs
boldly attacked the paps Institutions bsDeful 70 III
welfare OF Italy, well TO the progress OF the huma
mind the statesman Who expounded an entire sytteI
of government corresponding TO the highest exigei
cies Of human society; the patriot who sacrificed b
life TO the good OF his country and, finally. the pos
who sang the destiny OF Italy ana Of humanity, mad
Christianity the subject OF sublime epic and Cbtsti1
virtne the object Of all action he experienced evel
reverse Of fortune. He was fagitiye and wandeI'
IN his native laUd and died Oh exile from tie Guy Of
birth and Of bis love. He E0Ie The crown Of tLtT1
which, from Socrates TO Milton. has been the lot Of
who have siIiYen TO elevate the race But lie Iei
his poem work enduring literature itself wlic
while II echoed the moars OF Pas, that dying 70
ever, saluted In sublime strains The morning Cf lie
Civilization.
On the death Of his father, Dante was entruste
10 the care Of Brunette Latiui, philosopher hi
torian, poet, and statesman who held the Office
Secretary to the Florentine Republic. His educ.
tion was Of the most liberal character, embracing
vide range of the arts and studies of his day.
1t was under the guidance OF this eminent tina
Dante received his early education aud his hTs lesson
in the OF government. He acquired the knOwledg
Of several langnages-Latn. French and Proyele a.
and made himself acquainted with the various ltaka
dialects. He studied the Latin poets and. above Gl
Virgil whom be loved TO address the famous sag
bis sweet and true father and 10 him. next 10 Beatrice
he gave the most prominent piece in the COnmedia
Nor did he eonfne himself 10 poetry. Grammar. rheto
fic history. diaeccs. geometry music. and astronomy
tn occupd his attention, and he represented
the most powerful orator Of his time Contemporary
with Cmsbue and Giotto living in the dawn OF modern
nature so broad and sympathetic ss that Of DantE
could not fail 20 be greatly affected by its potent ntu
ence. Many OF the most magnificent structures O
Florence erected IN his time; and the traveller
today may stand on the spot indicated BY the inserip
tlon Sosso di DGnts inserted In the noighbOrng wall
where according to tradition, 1t was bis delight 20 eli
and watch from day to dsy the growing beauty of the
Duomo. Leonardo OF ATeZzo. bis second biogTBpLeI
after Boccaccio. tells us that be was an excellent
dIaughtsmap and be himself relates in bis Pia Mora
that on certain occasion he occupied himself In draw