The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-23

themes etc became universally studied in the
schools. Debating clubs, such as exist az oxford
and Cambridge, we're established at the univer-
sities for the discussion of controversial points.
Medals, inscriptions, statues, antiques OF every
description, were eagerly sought for. The
foundation was thus laid for valuable museumg
and rare collections, private as well as public
Great progress in mathematics and astronomy
was followed by the introduction OF algebra and
of the mariners compass.
A point which cannot fail to strike the obser-
want reader is the protection which the princes
OF Italy accorded to men OF letters. Popes, en-
perors, kings, aud princes eagerly sought the
society of, and awarded the place OF honor to-
men Of genius, whose friendship they courted.
The sovereign power Of intellect was acknow-
ledged, and the hereditary nobility of rank held
out iraternal hand to the self-created nobility
OF talent Amongst the princes of the fourteenth
century who distinguished themselves as
patrons OF literature, Robert, King OF Ma
pies, holds prominent place. His court
the most brilliant, but one of the most learned,
of the age; he was the Mecenas of the four
teenth century. Two OF the nobest patrons Of
literature that Italy ever possessed were Pope
Nicholas the Fifth and Pope Leo the Tenth.
The post of apostolic secretary, looked upon as
the highest homer, was repeatedly conferred
upon men of letters.
The Roman University had fallen into decay.
The primary cause of this was the long sojourn
of the popes at Avignon. Innocent the Seventh
conceived the idea of re-establishing il. In the
midst of the turmoils of the great schism, limo.
consequence of tho unsettled times the schools
of learning at Rome had become neglected,
he announced that he had appointed learned
professors in all the branches of the sciences
and in the Greek tongue. HIS praise worthy en-
deavoIs did not, however, succeed in re.esta-
blishing it on permanent footing. The merit
for achieving so desirable an end was reserved
to Pope Eugenius the Fourth; but the univer-
sity especially fourished under Nicholas the
Fifth.
The University Of Bologna had gradually
fallen, Off In the, middle OF the fourteenth CEN
tury, but, towards the close of the century, was
resuming its pristine high reputation. At the
commencement Of the fifteenth century it was
in high repute, numbering among its professors
some of the most learned scholars In Italy, as
Guarino, Filelto, and Aurlspa. Filelio relates
that when he went there to assume his duties as
professor, in l42s, such large number of pro-
fessors came to welcome him that nothing more
honorable can be imagined. The Cardinal of
Aries the legate at Bologna, sent for him imme-
diately on his arrival, and received him with
every mark of distinction. He was allowed a
salary of tour hundred and fifty scudi, namely,
three hundred from the city, and one hundred
and fifty from the private purse OF the legate,
who, moreover, presented him with purse OF
fifty scudi and other valuable presents. In the
same year a revolutionary movement took
place at Bologna, and for the three following
years the university was deserted. 10 l450 the
university was rebuilt by Cardinal Bessarlone.
He offered high salaries to the most learned pro-
fessors and aroused the emulation for study
amcng the youth of Bologna by prizes aud
rewards. Nicholas the Fifth conferred various
privileges upon the university. Students from
all parts of Europe hocked to Bologna. Chris
tlan, King of Denmark, visited 1t in 1474. De-
sirous that two of his courtiers should receive
diplomas-one Of law, the other of medicine-
the ceremony took place in the church of San
P1etro. Elevated seats having been prepared
for the professors who had to confer the diplo-
mas, more elevated seat was raised for the
king, who, out of respect for the university,
declined taking possession of it, declaring that
he should deem 1t the highest honor to be
seated side by side with men whom all the
world held in such high esteem.
Whilst under the rule of the lords of Carrara.
the University of Padua was in fiourishng
condition. Having fallen to Venice, in l4O6,
the Venetians voted the sum of four thousand
ducats for the benefit of the URiyersity-a sum
A papal bull, issued by Pope Eugenius the
Fourth, IN 1439, conferred various privileges
upon the University. The Venetian Senate, in
its desire to render the University as fourishing
as possible, prohibited the establishment of
public schools in other cities of the republic
an impoltic and arbitrary act, which led to the
emigration of many of her sons. Venice, the
capital, was an exception to the act. The Uni
versity of Venice was in such high repute that
it did not fear rival. The Senate decreed
however, that the degrees OF philosophy and
whilst Padua mad the exclusive right Of confer
ring those of divinity and law.
At the commencement of the fifteenth Gen.
tnry, the University of Pisa has greatly fallen
off. The city was annexed 10 the Florentine
republic in l4O6, The university had nearly
peen sWamrSSII by that of Florence. The Flo.
+SmtInes, aware of the advantages which Pisa
offered as a place Of study, and well under
standing that two universities could not co-eXist
60 near each other in the same state, turned all
their attention to Pisa. The University of
Florence had gone through many changes; at
one time well attended, at another deserted,
supported or neglected by turns by the autho-
rites. Guarino and Aurispo gave lectures there
in 1923. Filelio went there from Bologna, and
his lectures seem to have been well attended.
Under Lorenzo di Medici the University of
Florence reached the height of its prosperity.
In l472 a decree of the Senate transferred the
University of Florence to Pisa. papsl brief
of Pope S2tus the Fourth, issued, in l475, en-
powered the Flerentines to levy tax OF i've
thousand ducats tor five years upon the church
property for the benefit OF the new university.
In 147s, IL consequence Of the devastations of
the plague the university was transferred to
Pistoja, but only for one year. The plague
having again made its appearance at Pisa IN
l4Sl, the classes migrated to Prato, but after
three months the lectures were resumed at
Pisa. In 14s5, from a similar cause, the classes
W ere again opened for time at Prato.
Florence and Pisa were not the only cities of
Tuscany that boasted universities. The Uni
VeIsity of Siena stood in high repute in the ff-
teenth century. Flelfo, who appears to have
been ubiquitous, held a course OF lectures there
when compelled TO leave Florence in 1895. For
two years he received the annual salary of two
hundred and fifty forms.
The University OF Arezzo had fallen into
decay, and when the city was annexed to Flo
renee the students all lett for Pisa.
The University Of PaYia stood in good repute
in the fifteenth century, both as regards the
eminenCe of the professors and number OF
students In the chronicles of Piacenza men
tion is made of Cardinal Branda Castighane,
a Milanese and bishop of that city, who at the
commencement OF the fifteenth century founded