CONTENTS. Alexander's Revision of the Authorized Version Bonar's Observations on the Character of Judas Iscariot Borrenstein's easy Method of acquiring the Arabic and Syriac Copleston's Remarks on Objections, &c. Crayon's, Geoffrey, Bracebridge Hall THE ECLECTIC REVIEW, FOR JANUARY, 1823. Art. I. 1. Histoire des Republiques Italiennes du Moyen Age. The History of the Italian Republics of the Middle Ages. By J. C. L. Simonde de' Sismondi. 16 vols. 8vo. pp. 7740. Paris. 1809, 1815, 1818. 2. Illustrations, Historical and Critical, of the Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called the Magnificent; with an Appendix of Original and other Documents. By William Roscoe. 8vo. pp. 400. Price 10s. 6d. London. 1822. THERE are some striking coincidences, both in facts and in romantic interest, between the earlier and the later periods of Italian History. We find, in the most ancient as well as in more modern times, the same division into small states, generally constituted on principles more or less popular; the same tendency to mutual dissension; and the same consequent liability to invasion and subjugation, by powers less refined and, though not more martial in their habits, more successful in their enterprises, from the single, concentrated, and persevering direction of their plans and movements. The Etruscan Lucumonies, like the Italian Republics of the Middle Ages, were eminent in arts and arms. The massive materials and gigantic proportions of their mural structures, may be deemed slender evidence of their architectural skill; but the beautiful relics of their pottery, and the various indications to be collected from history, from inscriptions, and from other monumental remains, furnish unquestionable proof of the industry, refinement, and high spirit of this remote but brilliant people. The federation in which they were united, although it was, no doubt, effectual and beneficial to a certain extent, seems, on many important occasions, to have given way before the suggestions of selfish policy, or the terror of an approaching enemy; and it ultimately dissolved under the systematic encroachment and steady aggrandVOL. XIX. N.S. B izement of Rome. But it may be inferred, even from the partial narratives of their native historians, that the Romans gained their object slowly and doubtfully; and that they were indebted for success, as much to the disunion of the League of Etruria, as to their own courage or to the skill of their officers. The valour and conduct of Lar Porsenna brought Rome to the verge of ruin his noble courtesy and liberality entitled him to the lasting honours due to its second founder. Nor were the Romans always victorious even over single states. The Veientes made a noble, and sometimes a triumphant stand for their independence; and we suspect that, if the evidence were sifted, the generals of the Consular armies might be found not to have at all times acted on the elevated principles which signalised the warfare of Camillus and Fabricius. At length, when the Etruscan Federation sank under the pressure of Roman discipline and power, it bequeathed to its illustrious rival, its Jura Fecialia, its sacerdotal rites, and its eminence in the Arts. We should find it an interesting occupation, were this the proper place for so lengthened a discussion, to enter somewhat largely into an investigation of the incidental circumstances connected with the history of this remote and, in many respects, mysterious people. Their cities and villages, flourishing with commerce and agriculture, covered with their dense population the rich tracts of the Maremma, now nearly deserted, and steaming with exhalations fatal to human life. The colossal walls of Volterra, with other remains of similar proportion, are by no means unequivocal evidences of their dexterity in architecture; since massiveness is a common character of the erections of ruder ages, while science and skill usually exhibit themselves in the diminution of labour, the economical use of materials, and the felicitous adjustment of parts to the harmonious effect and useful purpose of the whole. But the few remains of their ornamental productions which have reached us, and especially their fictile vases, shew them to have made great advances in the higher qualities of Art; and if, as is affirmed, they were in possession of the ability to direct and avert the effects of lightning, this fact would seem to prove that they were expert in some of the branches of practical philosophy; unless we are to consider it as one of those chance discoveries which are sometimes so unaccountably made by semi-barbarous nations. The history of the Sabines, the Samnites, the Latins, and other republics of Italy, most of which appear to have adopted somewhat of the federal system, is yet more obscure than that of the Etruscan League; and perhaps there are few subjects more worthy of regret, in a literary view, than the almost entire |