Norwich bulletin., 1916-06-28
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society

Bassano, ltaIy-Bassano, one of the picturesque towns of Northern Italy, lying in the direct path of invasion of Venetia, should tho Austrians ever succeed in. their drive down the Su- gana Valley, is the subject of the war geography bulletin of the National Geographic Society issued today from it's Washington headquarters. The bulletin gives the following interest ing historical and commercial data concerning this town of about 7,500 people situated on the turbulent Bren- ta River, twenty miles south of the Tyrolean border and 11irty miles north of Padua:
 For sentimental rather than strate- gic reasons, tfe Austrian forces would be overjoyed if the fortunes Of war should cause Bassano to fall into their hands, for it was before this city that Napoleon achieved his first signal Suc- cess in his remarkable campaign of September 1796, when his infantry covered istance of IA miles in six days besides winning three battles from the Austrian troops.
 Thirteen years after his victory al Bassano Napoleon raised the town to ductly and conferred the 6ukedom upon his devoted secretary of state Maret, the French journalist and di- plonlat who shares with Daru the dis tinction of having been one of the hardest workers in the service of the great Corsican.
 ties of Northern Italy, judged by the age standards of Vicenza, Venice Padua and other municipalities o1 Venetfa. although it was six hundred years old when the first permanent English settlement was made 1T America. A few years after it was founded in the eleventh century the l district was given as a rief to Eccelin a German follower of Conrad II, Ec. celin founded the famous Ezzelin family which dominated this town ana neighboring cities from time to tim, during the middle ages. The mos powerful of these feudal lords, and thu most notorious, on account of his say. 1 age cruelty, was Ezzelini da Romano a staunch supporter Of Emperor Fred erick II and one of the most sIccessfu of the Ghibelline adherents in tIae | great civil wars which deyasted Ital, during the thirteenth century HI not only held Bassano, but, with tn, aid of the emperor, extended his swa, l over Verona, VicenZa, Padua and Ire viso. Eventually Pope Alexander IN declared crusade against him
 Whereupon he made an attempt to in vest, Milan. Here he was woundet and captured. Enraged at his ill-for tune in falling into the hands of hi enemies, he tore the bandages iron his wounds and refused all food, thu
 coming to a much more tragic enl than did his compatriot in arms. Fn zio, natural son of Emperor Fred
 erick, who was captured in 1249 an,
 held a prisoner in Bologna for th
 remainder of his life Enzioss 9 years of confinement were solaced b,
 the devotion of Lucia da viadagoIa. T gentlewonan of Bologna who is sal,
 to have endeavored unceasingIy to Be cure her lovers release. There is
 legend to the effect that on one occa
 sion the famous prisoners escape Ina,
 almst been accomplished when a. loc;
 of his golden hair, hanging over tn ! top of a kine sack in which he va concealed, betrayed him.
 Bassano is beautifully situated a
 the foot of the Venetian Alps Tt 1
 famous for its potteries, especially if
 majolicas and for an extensive print ing establishment It's trade is large ly in silks, feathers, wines, oils and as
 paragus.
 Few are the medieval Italian cite which cannot beast the name of great artist or sculptor as a favorit son. Bassano's contribution to th gallery of fame is the Da Pone fami
 ly of painters. Ntao adopted the nam
 of their birthplace as a surname. Tn
 most distinguished member of tn house was Jacopo da Ponte Bassan. d1sc1pls of the Titan school.