ITALIAN ACADEMIES. In Italy the number of aca demical institutions increased with such rapidity, that they are said to have amounted in a short time to 550. In the city of Milan alone, Jarckius reckons 25, of which he has given the history. The names of many of the Italian academies are curious and expressive : Thus we find the academy of the Abbandonati, Accrbi, Afflati, fettuosi, Acuti, Agitati, Lunatic!, Insipidi, Ombrosi, meal, Inquieti, and above an hundred others of a similar kind, an account of which will be found in Muz:uchellf.r Scrittori D'Italia. Instead therefore of attempting to give a particular account of all the Italian academies, we shall confine our attention to sonic of the most re markable.
So early as the year 1345, an association was formed by the painters of Venice, under the protection of St. Luke, for the improvement of their own art. Anothc of the same kind, called the society of St Luke, was established at Florence in 1350, under the particular patronage of the house of Medici. These early insti tutions, though they had not then obtained the name of academics, were yet the same in their nature, and served as a model for many other academical institutions, which afterwards arose in different parts of the continent.
In the. 15th century, an academy had been established at Naples, in the reign of Alphonso I. by Antonio Bec• catclli, and several other eminent men, whom that patron of letters had attracted to his court. After the death of Beccatelli, the charge of the academy devolved upon Pon tano, under whose direction it rose to a considerable degree of respectability. It not only contained the chief literati at Naples, but had associated to itself for honora ry members, the most eminent scholars in other parts of Europe. The place where it met was & nominated the Portico. We are informed by Apostolo Zeno, that Ber nardo Christoforo, a learned Neapolitan, had written the history of this early institution, in a work intitled, Acade mia Pontani; she lit.( illustrium virorum, qui cum Jo. Joviano Pontano, Neupoli floruere: But the manuscript is now lost. Sec Roscoe's Life of Leo X.
A new academy was established at Naples in 1787, tin de• the title of Beall Academia dale et Belle Lettere di Napoli. The first volume of their Transac tions was published at Naples in 1788. in 4to.
In the 15th century, under the pontificate of Paul II. an attempt was made to establish in Rome an academy for the study of antiquities : but the jealousy of that haughty and ignorant pontiff defeated the plan by dcom ing to imprisonment and death, some of the most emi nent scholars of that time. Under the auspices of Leo X. the plan was carried into execution, and the acade my continued long in a flourishing state. It, however, fell gradually into decay, but gave birth to others of greater celebrity.
About the of the follov ing century, an acade my was established at Rossano, in the kingdom of Na ples, called La Society Scientilica Rohsunense Deg!' In -uriosi.
About the year 1560, an academy was formed at Na ples, in the house of Baptista Porta, called, Academia Se retorum Xtrurce, which had for its object the investiga tion of physical science. Its founder having recently returned from his travels, communicated the informa tion which he had collected to his fellow-members, who, in their turn, imparted the knowledge which they bad individually obtained. The church of Rome, how ever, becoming jealous of this flourishing association, put an end to its meetings, lest the diffusion of know ledge should undermine the foundation of the Catholic faith.
The Academy of Secrets was succeeded by the Aca demia Lyncei, established at Rome in the beginning of the 17th century, by prince Frederick Cesi, for the ad vancement of physical science. It was composed of the most eminent philosophers of the age, among whom was the illustrious Galileo.
About the close of the same century, another academy .vas formed at Rome, for reviving the study of poetry and belles !cures. It was named ..ircadi, from a regu lation that required all the members to appear masked like shepherds of Arcadia. Ladies were admitted to this academy, and in the space of ten years its mem bers amounted to the number of 600. They held their meetings seven times a-year in a meadow or grove, or in the garden of some nobleman of distinction. All the members of the academy assumed, at their admission, new pastoral names, in imitation of the ancient Arcadians. There were different branches of this institution through out Italy, which were regulated after the same manner.