The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-16

| sion for those who were living, and the contin-
| nal dread of death, which had itself become 0
1 new and powerful cause of the extension of
disease. 1t is not to be wondered at that
| mortality increased in this species OF prison TO
such degree as to assn me the appearance end
deserve the name of pestlence. The number
of deaths in the lazaretto soon amounted to
hundred daily.
Whilst within these wretched walls, grief,
fear, anguish, and rage prevailed in the Fri
bunal of Provision, shame. astonshment and
irresolution were equally apparent. They
consulted, and now listened to the advice of
the Tribunal of Health finding they could do
no better than to undo what they had DONE at
SO much expense and trouble, they opened the
doors of the lazaretto, and released all who
were we'll enough to leave it. The city was
thus again filled with it's former cries, but fee
bier, and more interrupted the sick were
transported to Santa Maria della Stella, which
was then the hospital for the poor, and the
greater part persisted there.
However, the felds began to yield the har-
vest so long desired, and the troops of peasants
left the city for their long prayed for and ac-
eustomed lsbors. The Ingenious and mex
exerted itself; he made present of giulio.
"a coin worth about 3d. and q sickle to each
peasant, who solicited it at the palace.
With plentiful harvest, sc srcity ceased to
Q greater or less degree. until the middle of
Antnmn. 1t was on Tire point of oeasing,
when a new scuurge overwhelmed the city and
country.
Many events of high historical Importance
had occurred in this interval of time The
Cardinal Richeleu, after having taken RI
chelle. and made treaty of peace with E1g-
land, had proposed, Effected by his powerful
Influence in the councils of the French king,
that effcacious aid should be sent to the Duke
of Nevers he had also persuaded the king to
lead the exposition in person. Whilst the
preparations were in progress, the Count of
Nassau, imperial commisssry, suggested to
the new duke in Mantua the expediency of re-
placing bis states in the hands of Ferdinand /;
-: kInH - r1fa
would be Immediately sent by the emperor to
occupy them. The duke. who in the most
desperate circumstances had rejected 30 hard
condition, encouraged now by the promised
succors from France, was determined still lon
Ter to defend himself. The commissary de-
parted, declaring that force would soon decide
the matter.
In the month of March, the Cardinal Richie
lieu with the king, at the head of ar army, de-
manded free passage from the Duke of Sa-
voy he entered into treaties for the purpose,
but nothing was concluded. After rencoun-
ter in which the French obtained the advau-
tage, q new treaty WAS entered into. in which
the duke stipulated that Don Gonzalo de Cor
dova should raise the seige of Casale, engaH-
ing, in case of bis refusal, to unite with the
French, and invade the ducby of Milan. Don
Gopzalo raised the seige of Casale, and body
of French troops entered it, to reinforce the
garrison. The Cardinal Richelieu decided to
return to France, on business which he regard
ed as more urgent but Girolamo Sorat y,
envoy from Venice, offered the most powerful
reasons to divert him from this resolution. To
these the king and the cardinal paid no alton
ton they returned with the greatest part of
the army, leaving only six thousand men at
suza to occupy the passes and maintain the
treaty.
Whilst this army departed side, that
| eff Ferdinand, commanded by the Csnnt of
Colato, advanced on the other. 1t had inva-
| ded the country the Grisons, and the Valtel-
| line, and was preparing to come down on the
Milanese. Besides the usual terrors which
such an expectation was calculated to excite,
the report was spread, that the plague lurked
in the imperial army. Alessandro Tadino, one
| of the conservators of the public health, was
| charged by the tribunal to state to the COVER
nor the frghtful danger which threatened the
| country, if this army should obtain the pass
| which opened on Mantua. 1t appears from all
| the actions of Gonzalo, that he was possessed
| by desire to occupy great place in history
but, often happens, history has failed to
register Que of his most remarkable acts, the
answer he returned to this Doctor Tadino
| which was, that he knew not what could be
done that reasons of interest and honor
| which had induced the march of the army
| were of greater wei ght than the danger repre-
ssnted that he would, however, endeavor tC
act for the best, and that they must trust tc
Providence"
In order, then, TO act for the best, their two
ply siciaus proposed to the tribunal to forbid
under the most severe penalty, the purchase o
any articles of clothing from the soldiers wh'
were about to pass. AS to Don Gonzalo, hi
reply to Doctor Tudino one of his last act
at Milan, as the i'll success of the war, which
had been instigated and directed by him
caused him to be displaced in the course of TIN
summer. He was succeeded by Marquis Am
hrosio Spinola who had already acquired tn
military celebrity III the war of Flanders whicl
still eudnres.
Mean while the German troops had receive
definite orders to march upon Mantua, and i
the month of Septem Der they entered the Ouch
of Milan.
AT this epoch armies were composed for TIL
l greater part, of adventureTs, enlisted by COZ
| no hold hair pDliaS inn rnT m
prince, aud who sometimes pursued the occr
patton on their own account so as to be able
. sell themselves and followers together. Me
1 were drawn to this vocation much less by tt
: pay which assigned to them, than by tt
. hors OF piUage, and tho charms of licenc
J There was fixed or general discipline; an
as their pay was very uncertain, the spoils
n the countries which they over ran were tacitl
g accorded to them by their commanders.
/. 1t was a SAYING of the celebrated Waller
8, STEMS that il easier to maintain an arm
!, of 100 600 men than one of $4,000. And tn
army of which we are now speaking was part
s that which in the thirtyye war had desolatt
all a wa dad hu prn