The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci; With a Critical Account of His Works

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. This digression has obliged us, for the moment, to lose sight of Leonardo. Ludovico il Moro, at whose request he went to the court of Milan, although only nominally Regent, governed that state with absolute authority; for his nephew Giovan Galeazzo possessed merely the title, and enjoyed the pageantry of sovereignty, without the slightest power. Ludovico Sforza, surnamed II Moro, not from his darkness of complexion, as is erroneously stated by Gibbon, but from his having taken a mulberry-tree, in Italian Moro, for his device, was a prince of great talents, and one of the first politicians of the age. Although the The Signore Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, adopted a mulberry-tree, Moro, as his device, from its more noble qualities of his mind were obscured by ambition, he was greatly beloved by all who were about his person, and admitted to his intimate society. He was frank and pleasing in his manners, easy of access, and liberal even to profusion to those who possessed his confidence. To a very handsome and prepossessing exterior he united the most powerful eloquence. He successfully cultivated the Arts of Peace, and lost no opportunity of drawing to his court those who had most distinguished themselves in the arts and sciences. It was his opinion that much more might be done by council than by arms; and that the pen was frequently of more weight than the sword; he was therefore averse to warlike enterprises, and always being considered wiser than all other trees, as it buds later, and does not flower until it has escaped the injuries of winter, when it immediately bears fruit: thereby demonstrating itself of a nature to do nothing hastily, but rather maturely to reflect, and then promptly execute. This wise prince made use of this de...