About this time he had the honour to be appointed preceptor to the children of Lorenzo de Medici, a trust which he discharged with the highest credit to himself and advantage to his pupils. He had the happy art of making his instructions pleasant; and having engaged the affections of those under his care, he made them love learning by his example.

With the charge of superintending the education of his patron's children, he afterwards combined that of a public professor of the Greek and Latin languages in the University of Florence, and his lectures were attended by numerous disciples from all parts of Europe, and particularly from England. He lived on terms of the greatest intimacy and confidence with his generous benefactor,

and his correspondence was eagerly courted and cherished by the lovers of learning in different countries. Of his friendship with the celebrated and virtuous nobleman, Picus, of Mirandula, we have had occasion to speak; and the amiable character of both appears to the greatest advantage, when it is considered, that notwithstanding the eminent talents of each, they were always disposed to ascribe to each other the superiority of mental talent. This is the pure and genuine friendship of exalted minds, which can alone spring from virtue and religion.

Politian died at Florence in 1494, aged only 41. His Latin and Italian poems are still held in high estimation;

as also are his

critical observations upon classic

authors.

FABIUS URSINUS.

Letter from Angelus Politianus to Picus of

"I

Mirandula.

I SINCERELY wish you had been of our party to day, at the table of Paulus Ursinus, who is a gentleman not only of distinguished military fame, but very fond of letters, and of the society of the learned. He has a child of the name of Fabius, a youth of eleven years of age, and of singular beauty and endowments. His fine auburn hair falls gracefully on his shoulders. Ile has an eye sparkling with intelligence, an open

countenance, a person elegantly formed, and a most graceful carriage, which inclines a little to the military. When the party had taken their seats, this child was desired to accompany some persons of skill, in singing several airs set to music, which he did with so melodious a voice, that for my own part I listened with ecstacy. He afterwards. recited an heroic poem in praise of my pupil Piero de Medici, of his own composing; for that it really was so, and not the work of another, (as I at first suspected), had afterwards an opportunity of ascertaining by undoubtable evidence. And what kind of a composition do you think it was? Really such an one as I myself should not

I

need to be ashamed of. His tones

were not merely those proper to reading, nor altogether modulated as in singing; but formed by a pleasing inflection of voice between both. As the subject required, they were uniform or varied, with exact regard to to connexion and pause acute Or emphatical quick or always correct, distinct, and agreeable. His action was neither indolent and unanimated, nor yet bold and forward. You would have vowed another little Roscius stood before you, He was suddenly requested to turn the verse into prose, and repeat the same thoughts unconfined by measure. Accord

or grave: easy or slow yet

ingly, after a short interval of consideration, he began again in a manner perfectly unassuming and