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Article REVIEW OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. ← Page 2 of 9 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
preserved by the constant care of Lorenzo , removed , indeed , from the compact during the short remainder of his days ; but at his death it dissolved , like the work of enchantment , and overwhelmed , for a time , in its ruins even the descendants of its founder . " Vol . II . p . 4 6 , 48 . Mr . R . proceeds , in the following chanter , to examine and illustrate the different progress of Italian and classical literature ; arid with anecdotes of the respective restorers and professors of both , to give a general idea of the state
of literature in Florence , at the close of the 15 th century . 'Whilst the study of polite literature was thus emerging from its state of reptile torpor , the other sciences felt the effefts of the same invigorating beams ; and the city of Florence , like a sheltered garden in the opening of Spring , re-echoed with the earliest sounds ol" returning animation . The Platonic academy existed in mil splendor , and served as a common bond to uniteat stated intervalsthose who had signalized themselves by scientific
, , or literary pursuits . Judicial astrology was exposed , and observation and experiment substituted in place of conjecture and fraud . The celebrated Gnomon of Toscanelli was erected in the cupola of the church of St . Maria del Fiore , the noblest instrument in the world for the purpose of determining the solstices and ascertaining the feasts of the Romish Church . Volpeca constructed for Lorenzo a clock , which shewed the hour and the motions of the sun and planets , eclipses , signs of the zodiack , and the whole
revolution of the heavens . The study of geography was facilitated , by uniting it with poetry . Several treatises on metaphysics appeared . Medicine and music were reformed . Of the innumerable literary works of this period , the produSion of the Florentine authors , many yet hold a high rank , not only for practical knowledge , but for purity of diftion ; and , upon the whole , they bear the stamp of industry , talents , and good sense ; and , as they may be preferred , both in point of information and composition , to the
productions that immediately preceded them , so they are , perhaps , more truly estimable than many of those of the ensuing century , when , by an overstrained attention to the beauty of language , the importance of the subject was frequently neglected or forgotten , and the talents of the first men of the age , being devoted rather to words than things , were overwhelmed in a prolixity of language , that , in the form of letters , orations , and critical disquisitions , became the opprobrium of literature , and the destruction of true taste . ' P . 113 , 11 4 .
In his private life , Lorenzo is represented as an affe & ionate and constant husband , a kind and fond parent . Politian had the care of his three sons ; Piero , distinguished by a series of misfortunes too justly merited : Giovanni , afterwards Pope LEO X . * : and Guiliano , by alliance to the royai house qf the French , afterwards Duke of Nemours . In a following chapter is traced the rise and progress of painting and sculpture in Florence ,- the former from Cimabi . e , the latter from the Pisani . The
rise of the last is ascribed to the fondness for antient monuments , which took p lace at the revival of classical literature , a capital collection of which was begun by Cosmo , and completed by Lorenzo . The latter established a school for the study of theantiqua in his own gardens , . where was formed Michelagnolo Buouarot ti , whose works and the rapid improvement of taste are ex-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Review Of New Publications.
preserved by the constant care of Lorenzo , removed , indeed , from the compact during the short remainder of his days ; but at his death it dissolved , like the work of enchantment , and overwhelmed , for a time , in its ruins even the descendants of its founder . " Vol . II . p . 4 6 , 48 . Mr . R . proceeds , in the following chanter , to examine and illustrate the different progress of Italian and classical literature ; arid with anecdotes of the respective restorers and professors of both , to give a general idea of the state
of literature in Florence , at the close of the 15 th century . 'Whilst the study of polite literature was thus emerging from its state of reptile torpor , the other sciences felt the effefts of the same invigorating beams ; and the city of Florence , like a sheltered garden in the opening of Spring , re-echoed with the earliest sounds ol" returning animation . The Platonic academy existed in mil splendor , and served as a common bond to uniteat stated intervalsthose who had signalized themselves by scientific
, , or literary pursuits . Judicial astrology was exposed , and observation and experiment substituted in place of conjecture and fraud . The celebrated Gnomon of Toscanelli was erected in the cupola of the church of St . Maria del Fiore , the noblest instrument in the world for the purpose of determining the solstices and ascertaining the feasts of the Romish Church . Volpeca constructed for Lorenzo a clock , which shewed the hour and the motions of the sun and planets , eclipses , signs of the zodiack , and the whole
revolution of the heavens . The study of geography was facilitated , by uniting it with poetry . Several treatises on metaphysics appeared . Medicine and music were reformed . Of the innumerable literary works of this period , the produSion of the Florentine authors , many yet hold a high rank , not only for practical knowledge , but for purity of diftion ; and , upon the whole , they bear the stamp of industry , talents , and good sense ; and , as they may be preferred , both in point of information and composition , to the
productions that immediately preceded them , so they are , perhaps , more truly estimable than many of those of the ensuing century , when , by an overstrained attention to the beauty of language , the importance of the subject was frequently neglected or forgotten , and the talents of the first men of the age , being devoted rather to words than things , were overwhelmed in a prolixity of language , that , in the form of letters , orations , and critical disquisitions , became the opprobrium of literature , and the destruction of true taste . ' P . 113 , 11 4 .
In his private life , Lorenzo is represented as an affe & ionate and constant husband , a kind and fond parent . Politian had the care of his three sons ; Piero , distinguished by a series of misfortunes too justly merited : Giovanni , afterwards Pope LEO X . * : and Guiliano , by alliance to the royai house qf the French , afterwards Duke of Nemours . In a following chapter is traced the rise and progress of painting and sculpture in Florence ,- the former from Cimabi . e , the latter from the Pisani . The
rise of the last is ascribed to the fondness for antient monuments , which took p lace at the revival of classical literature , a capital collection of which was begun by Cosmo , and completed by Lorenzo . The latter established a school for the study of theantiqua in his own gardens , . where was formed Michelagnolo Buouarot ti , whose works and the rapid improvement of taste are ex-