studies and pleasures and to the society of his CHAP. friends. He here formed by great expense

XVI.

A. D. 1518.
A. Et. 43.

and assiduity, a collection of the ancient ma-
nuscripts of the Greek and Roman authors, A. Pont. VI.
which in point of number and value was ex-
ceeded by very few in Italy. Of these works
the greater part have since been incorporated
into the library of the Vatican. To these he
added a cabinet of coins and medals, enriched
with other ancient specimens of art.
A part
of his time was spent at his country residence
of Villa-bozza in the vicinity of Padua, where
he devoted himself to the study of botany.
The garden which he here completed and fur-
nished with plants is noticed by various authors.
In this state of independence a great part of
his writings was produced, and such was the
happiness which he enjoyed, that when in the
year 1539, he was unexpectedly nominated
by Paul III. to the rank of cardinal, he is said
to have hesitated for some time whether he
should accept that dignity.(a)
His choice
was,

T 2

(a) The pains which Bembo afterwards took to obviate the objections that had been made to his moral conduct, and his flattering letters. to Paul III. seem however to contradict the report encouraged by Beccatelli, his biographer, and others, that he reluctantly acceded to this promotion,

XVI.

A. D. 1518.

A. Et. 43.

CHAP. was, however, at last determined by his having accidentally heard, at the celebration of mass, the priest pronounce the words, Peter,. 4. Pont. VI. follow me,(a) which he chose to understand as applied to himself. He now once more repaired to Rome, where he was highly favoured by the pontiff, who conferred upon him many lucrative benefices; and where he found in the college many of his former friends, particularly the cardinals Contarino, Sadoleti, Cortese, and the English cardinal Reginald Pole, who then held a high rank both in the political and literary world. In this city Bembo terminated his days in the year 1547, being then upwards of seventy-six years of age.(b)

The

(a) Petre, sequere me. sed v. Mazzuchelli, iv. 746.

(b) Bembo was interred in thechurch of S. Maria allaMinerva at Rome, behind the great altar, and between the tombs of Leo X. and Clement VII. with the following inscription placed by his son Torquato.

PETRO BEMBO PATRITIO VENETO OB EJUS

SINGULARES VIRTUTES,

A PAULO III. PONTIF. MAX, IN SACRUM COLLEGIUM COOPTATO,

TORQUATUS BEMBUS P.

OBIIT XV. KAL. FEB.

M.D.XLVII,

VIXIT. AN. LXXVI. MEN, VII, D. XXVIII,

XVI.

The high commendations bestowed on the CHAP. writings of Bembo by almost all his contemporaries, have been confirmed by the best critics of succeeding times; nor can it be denied, that by selecting as his models Boccaccio and Petrarca, and by combining their excellences with his own correct and elegant taste, he contributed in an eminent degree to banish that rusticity of style, which characterized the writings of most of the Italian authors at the commencement of the sixteenth century. His authority and example produced an astonishing effect, and among his disciples and imitators may be found many of the first scholars and most distinguished writers of the age. It must, however, be observed, that the merit of his works consists rather in purity and correctness of diction, than in vigour of sentiment or variety of poetical ornament; and that they exhibit but little diversity either of character or subject, having for the most part been devoted to the celebration of an amorous passion. His Canzone on the death of his brother Carlo has been highly commended, and must be allowed to possess merit, without, however, exhibiting that warmth of natural feeling which such an occasion might be expected

to

A. D. 1518.

A. Æt, 43.

A. Pont. VI.

XVI.

of

CHAP. to produce.(a) In estimating with impartiality the talents of Bembo, and ascertaining the services which he rendered to the progress taste, it will be necessary to make a distinction. between the advancement of Italian poetry and the improvement of the Italian language; between the efforts of genius and the result of industry. The poetical works of Bembo consist chiefly of Sonetti and Canzoni in the style of Petrarca, and are frequently more correct and chaste, but at the same time more unimpassioned and cold, than the model on which they are formed. In the perusal of these pieces we perceive nothing of that genuine feeling, which proceeding from the heart of the author makes a direct and irresistible appeal to that of the reader; and but little even of that secondary characteristic of genius which luxuriates in the regions of fancy, and by its vivid and rapid imagery delights the imagination. On the contrary, whilst these pieces stand approved to our deliberate judgment, we feel a conviction that any person of good taste and extensive reading might, by a due portion of labour, produce works of equal merit.

A. D. 1518. A. Pont. VI.

A Et. 43.

(a) This piece is selected by Mr. Mathias, in his collection of the Poeti Lirici Italiani, vol. i. p. 86.

XVI.

A. Et. 43. A. Pont. VI.

merit. That this conviction is well founded CHAP. is proved in no unequivocal. manner, by the innumerable throng of writers who have imi- A. D. 1518. tated the manner of Bembo; and who, availing themselves of the example of this scholastic style of composition, have inundated Italy with writings which seldom exhibit any distinction either of character or of merit. That the introduction of this manner of writing was fatal to the higher productions of genius cannot be doubted. Internal worth was sacrificed to external ornament. The vehicle was gilt and polished to the highest degree, but it contained nothing of any value; and the whole attention of these writers was employed, not in discovering what should be said, but how it should be said.

One of the most intimate associates of Beazzano. Bembo, as well in his various embassies and public concerns, as in his literary occupations, was his countryman Agostino Beazzano; who, although he was only descended from a family of the order of Venetian citizens, enumerated among his ancestors Francesco Beazzano great chancellor of the republic. Agostino was a knight of Jerusalem and was frequently dispatched by Leo X. on missions of great