SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS OF POGGIO. BRACCIOLINI POGGIO was the liveliest writer, and one of the most learned men of the fifteenth century. He was born at Terra Nuova in the territory of Florence. His learning recommended him to the patronage of the court of Rome, and he was secretary to seven successive popes. In 1414 some cardinals and nobles of Rome sent him to Constance, during the sitting of the General Council, in search of ancient authors; which commission he executed with the success his talents seemed to promise. Among other authors, a copy of Quintilian was found at the bottom of a tower in the monastery of St. Gal. The works of Poggio most known and admired consist of an History of Florence, in Latin, from 1350 to 1455, republished by Reconati at Venice in 1715, with notes, and a life of the author; and of some Funeral Orations delivered at the Council of Constance. Poggio died secretary to the republic of Florence in 1459, at the age of 79. That honourable situation had been held by him during the space of six years. POGGIANA. CARDINAL ANGELOTTO. THIS man, notorious for the weakness of his intellect, and the meanness of his disposition, was very fond of detracting from the merit of others. One day when Pope Eugenio IV. was at Florence, a lad of ten years old was introduced to his Holiness in the presence of the Cardinal. The youth addressed the Pope in a speech, which, for gravity and wisdom, much exceeded his years. "It is common," observed Angelotto, when the rest of the audience praised the oration," for young persons endowed with premature talents to fall into early decay of parts."" Then my Lord Cardinal,” replied the lad, " you must have had very extraordinary talents when you were young." |