propensities, and whose gross ignorance disgraced the high station which he occupied. The anecdote is mentioned by Squarzafichi; as it is likewise by one of the oldest editors of the poems of Petrarch, in the preface to the Venice edition, 1473: though the latter writer erroneously names the Pope Urban V. who did not ascend the papal chair till some years after the death of Laura. This uncertainty with regard to the person is not, however, sufficient to discredit the fact itself, that the Pope, whoever he was, might, from favour to Petrarch, have earnestly desired to see him united to the object of his passion.

The clerical character of Petrarch ought not to be considered as affording any objection to the supposition, that he ardently wished to be united to Laura in marriage. Though enjoying ecclesiasti

cal preferments, he had never accepted of any charge which conferred a care of souls. He had frequently been solicited with earnestness to accept of a bishopric; but constantly refused it, either from a sense of his own demerits, when weighed against the qualities he thought requisite for that sacred character, or, more probably, (as he himself indeed hints) from a desire to preserve his liberty, and follow, without restraint, that course of life which he found most congenial to his taste. It is probable, therefore, that his views with regard to Laura had their influence on this determination; since he was thus at liberty, merely by the sacrifice of some slender pecuniary emoluments, to change his condition at any time he might think proper. Examples of this kind were at that time extremely common; and

the story above related, if true, is a proof that the Sovereign Pontiffs were even in use to dispense with the resignation of benefices to their particular favourites in those circumstances.

But, whatever weight we may be inclined to give to this anecdote, it is, on the whole, sufficient to our purpose, if, while, on the one hand, we have shewn that there is not the smallest solidity in all that elaborate fabric of argument, which has been brought to prove that Laura was a married woman, we have proved, on the other, from the whole tenor of the writings of Petrarch, the only evidence that applies to the matter, that his affection for Laura was an honourable and virtuous flame. On this subject the reflection of M. de la Bastie is equally beautiful, as a sentiment of morality, and

just as an observation on human nature: "Il n'y a que la vertu seule qui soit capable "de faire des impressions que la mort n'efface

POSTSCRIPT

OF THE PORTRAITS OF PETRARCH AND OF

LAURA.

IN

In the age of Petrarch, painting was yet in its infancy. Among the earliest names recorded in the history of the art, are Cimabue and Giotto, the latter of whom is mentioned by Petrarch as his cotemporary and acquaintance. In the poet's testament, he bequeaths to Francesco di