Papinian should deliver an apology for this murder; but the upright civilian, so far from imitating the weakness of Seneca under similar circumstances, exclaimed, “It is much easier to commit a crime so atrocious, than to excuse it." This intrepid reply was the sentence of his death.

Caracalla, now become master of the empire, soon manifested himself unworthy of his new dignity. He began by marching a considerable force into Gaul, which he treated as an enemy's country, rather than as an allied and submissive province. The Germans armed against him, and compelled him to make a disgraceful peace.

The people of Alexandria having uttered some sarcasms on the murder of Geta, he entered it with his army, and put all the inhabitants to the sword. In the year 217, he was slain at Edessa, by one of his guards. He had reigned six years. The senate and the people exulted in their deliverance, and loaded his memory with their maledictions.

CASTIGLIONE.

BALTHAZAR, or BALDASSARE, CASTIGLIONE, was born at Casatico, in the duchy of Mantua, on the sixth of December, 1478. His father was of distinguished birth, and his mother descended from the illustrious house of Gonzaga. He attached himself, at an early period, to occupations that appeared but little compatible. He was desirous, at the same time, to be thought a courtier, an author, a soldier, and a politician; and his success justified his assurance. Sent, by Duke Urboni, upon an embassy, to Henry VIII. king of England, he had the good fortune to render himself pleasing to that ferocious monarch, and was invested by him with the order of the Garter. Julius II. Leo X. Louis XII. Charles V. and Clement VII. gave him, alternately, proofs of their friendship and esteem. Leo X. conceived the idea of decorating him with a cardinal's hat. Clement VII. appointed him his plenipotentiary to the court of Charles V. He was afterwards named, by the emperor, Bishop of Avila. Charles had, previously, placed unlimited confidence in Castiglione, by declaring that he should have chosen him for his second, had his duel with Francis I. taken place. It may be, however, doubted, whether this fortunate adversary of the king of France had seriously formed the intention of fighting him en champ clos; but this anecdote proves, at least, that Castiglione had acquired considerable reputation in the use of arms.

Before he entered into orders, Castiglione had married Hippolyta Torella, so celebrated for her beauty and political talents. This union was, in the highest degree, happy, but it was dissolved, after four years, by the death of Torella. The affliction which Castiglione experienced at this calamity, did not a little contribute to make him embrace the ecclesiastical profession.

Castiglione has left behind him several poetical pieces, both in Italian and Latin, which were greatly applauded on their appearance. We must not entirely subscribe to the judgment of Scaliger, who, no less extravagant in his encomiums than in his criticism, affirms that Castiglione combined the vigour of Lucan with the purity of Virgil; but we cannot avoid being charmed at the noble and delicate turn he has given to his thoughts. In short, he was one of the good poets who did honour to the commencement of the XVIth. century, when the Italian muses shone with peculiar lustre.

Castiglione has written, in prose, the Cortegiano, which the Italians called a golden book. Had the author been only known by this character of his production, we might easily conceive that he was fully capable of treating such a subject. The work exhibits a series of deep and refined conceptions, expressed with uncommon elegance and precision. Castiglione died at Toledo, in the year 1529, at the age of 51.