BRACCIOLINI, Pocoto, a celebrated restorer of literature in the fifteenth century, was born in the year 1380, at Terra Nuova, a small town in the ter ritory of the republic of Florence. From his father, Guiccio Bracciolini, he inherited no advantages of rank or fortune ; but for those literary attainments, in which he afterwards became so eminent, the cir cumstances of his birth were peculiarly favourable. The writings of Petrarca and Boccacio were now read with avidity ; and the zeal of these great men for the revival of literature had kindled throughout Italy an ardent spirit of emulation. The city of Florence was particularly distinguished by the enthu siasm, with which its principal inhabitants cultiva ted and patronised the liberal arts. It became, of course, the favourite resort of the most learned men of the time ; some of whom were induced, by consi derable salaries and rewards, to undertake the task of public instruction. Among other eminent scholars, whom these advantages attracted to Florence, were Giovanni Illalpaghitio, better known by the name of John of Ravenna ; and Manuel Crysoloras, who had been deputed by Paltrologus, emperor of the East, to soAcit the assistance of several European states against the growing power of the Turks ; but who, tired of a commission so troublesome and unprofita ble, had exchanged the office of ambassador for the humbler occupation of reading lectures on the Gre cian classics. Poggio studied, under Malpaghino, the admired productions of ancient Rome. Cryso loras was his preceptor in the Grecian language ;— that divine language, which, as Mr Gibbon finely ex presses it, "gives a soul to the objects of sense, and a body to the abstractions of philosophy." The li terary fame, which Poggio afterwards acquired, is the best proof of the proficiency which he made under these celebrated masters.
After completing his studies, he repaired to Rome, probably about the year 1402, and was introduced to the notice of Boniface IX., who appointed him writer of the apostolic letters. Ile was then about 22 years of age ; of a lively fancy, and an ardent constitution. The scantiness of his revenue, how ever, preserved him from the dissipation and licenti ousness which prevailed at the Roman court ; and his leisure hours were either devoted to study, or spent in the company of learned men, from whose conversation he could derive improvement and de light. He was soon deprived of the patronage of Bonifacc, who died about two years after Poggio's arrival in Rome ; but was fortunate enough to pro cure the favour of Innocent VII., who succeeded
Boniface on the Papal throne. The most gratifying fruit of his influence with Innocent was, the oppor tunity of advancing the fortune of his friend Leon ardo Aretino, whom he introduced to the notice of the pope, and whose abilities obtained for him, in de fiance of competition, the dignity of apostolic scribe.
During the violent dissensions which followed the death of Innocent, Poggio removed from the scene of contention, to enjoy, at Florence, the society of his literary friends. On this occasion he was ho noured with particular regard by Nicolo Niccoli, an eminent scholar, and a distinguished patron of litera ture. Notwithstanding his retreat from the pontifi cal palace, Poggio still seems to have retained his office in the chancery, and continued to act as apos tolical scribe, both to Alexander V., and to his suc cessor John XXII. The death of Manuel Cryso loras, who was a member of the council of Con stance, called forth a warm funeral panegyric from his accomplished pupil, who likewise perpetuated his praises in an appropriate Latin epitaph.
When John was deposed by the council, and his household was of course dispersed, Poggio remained at Constance, with the view of embracing any oppor tunity that might occur, of promoting his own in terest, or that of his friend Leonardo Aretino. The mortification which all the adherents of John ex perienced in Germany rendered him extremely dissa tisfied with his situation, and seem even to have re laxed the vigour of his mind. Literary pursuits ceased to afford him amusement, and for a time his studies were totally suspended. From this uneasy and listless state of mind, he sought relief in an ex cursion to the baths of Baden ; his description of which, in a letter to Niccolo Niccoli, exhibits a most interesting picture of what a fashionable watering place was in the fifteenth century. Soon after his return to Constance, he witnessed the trial and execution of Jerome of Prague, which he describes with a degree of feeling, highly creditable to his candour and hu manity. So deep was the interest which he felt and expressed for this great, unfortunate man, that his friend Leonardo became concerned for his safety, and advised him to speak and write more guardedly on that subject in future.