The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-30
III.

A change now occurred In the career OF the
House Of Savoy. Instead Of pursuing the path
OF progress and development it entered upon
a course OF retrogression and abasement which
continued for a century and a half down to the
times OF Philibert H.. surnamed the Fair. and
Charles I'LL. miscalled the Good. This period
OF decay began under Louis, the son OF ANA
deus VIII. a mar Of an indolent temperament,
wholly given up to pageants and amusements.
His wife. Anna OF Cyprus. celebrated for her
beauty. her luxurious tastes and her intriRues.
was In no way fitted to make good the short
cominRs Of her husband. One of the prin-
cipal charges brought against Louis is that
he neglected an opportunity to add the
duchy Of Milan to Savoy. The chance oc-
CURED in 1447. when Philippe Maria. the
last Of the Visconti. died without leaving
Ia legitimate heir. The dukedom had been
conferred on the Visconti in male succession
only. the exclusion Of any female or Of any de-
scendant through the female line being rigor-
Gus and emphatic. Several pretenderS. most
Of them through female lines. came forward.
the chief among them being the Duke OF Sa-
voy and the Duke of Orleans. other claimants
being Alfonso. King Of Sicily. and the Emperor
OF Germany. 1t is we'll known that Francesca
Sforza ultimately obtained the duchy, and that,
through Louis's neglect ofthls and another OPP
portunity OF asserting his claim. the Savoyard
dynasty lost for 400 years a chance OF creating
a great power north OF the Pc. Most OF Its histor-
ians have maintained that q kingdom Of united
Italy might, at that time. have been created.
Another act fraught with damage to Savoy was
the abortive expedition against Cyprus. under
taken to please the Duchess Anna. The only
gain that could be set against the heavy loss in
men. money and prestige. was the empty title
of King of Cyprus. Jerusalem and Armenia.
Louis died in 1895 In France. where he had
gone to implore the aid Of his SON in law. Louis.
XI.. against his own son. Philip. Count de
Bresse. He was succeeded by his son. Amadeus
IL, who was as helpless in the hands OF his
wife, Yolande OF France. as his father had been
in those OF Anna. Yolande. however. strove to
repair the injuries done to the State by her
husbands parents and faithfully supported the
rights OF her adopted country against the en-
croachments Of her brother. Louis XII. of
France. When her son. Philibert l.. who sur
vived her only q few years. died In 1882, his
brother. Charles l.. succeeded him. As tho
young duke was but IA years old, his uncle,
Louis XII. Of France. took possession Of
the Government. but. on Louis's death, the
following year. Charles assumed control Of
the State. and gave promise OF extraordinary
power Of mind. Tho hopes aroused by his
ability were. however, bligbted by his early
demise, which occurred in 1870. His only son,
Charles H.. being but nine months old at the
time. the Duchess Dowager, Blanche Of Mont
ferrat. was named guardian and regent. Dur
Ing her regency occurred the invasion of
Italy by Charles VIII. OF France. to whom
Blanche opened the passes Of the Alps. Her
rule came TO an end in 1895. when. the little
duke having died, his great-uncle, Philip de
Bresse, nfth son Of Louis and OF Anna Of Cy-
year. The %revoits which he had headed against
his n9FentS and against the regents. Yolande
but the hand Of time. had quelled his spirit,
and instead OF the restlessness OF former days
no evineed u desire Tor his country's good, His
reign. gave general satisfaction. but. unhap-
PLY. Il was short. After intriguing and bat
| Ting for power during forty years he enjoyed
i during only eighteen months; He died. In
l4HI, leaving tho succession to his son. Phili-
bert H.. surnamed the Fair. NEW policy was
now ~i1AuGurated. Hitherto the Princes, OF
Savoy had been suhservient 10 France. This
attitude was henceforth abandoned. and Aus
tria began TO be considered rather as an ally
Il, attributed 70 the Dukes second marriage
with Margaret OF Austria. daughter OF the Em-
bsrt's half brother and successor. Charles