按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that the new method would press heavily upon the powerful classes；
they used their utmost endeavors to prevent it from becoming law。
Giovanni de' Medici alone declared himself in favor of it； and by his
means it was passed。 In order to determine the amount each had to pay；
it was necessary to consider his property in the aggregate； which the
Florentines call /accatastare/； in which in this application of it
would signify TO RATE or VALUE； and hence this tax received the name
of /catasto/。 The new method of rating formed a powerful check to the
tyranny of the great； who could no longer oppress the lower classes；
or silence them with threats in the council as they had formerly done；
and it therefore gave general satisfaction； though to the wealthy
classes it was in the highest degree offensive。 But as it is found men
are never satisfied； but that the possession of one advantage only
makes them desire more； the people； not content with the equality of
taxation which the new law produced； demanded that the same rule
should be applied to past years； that in investigation should be made
to determine how much； according to the Catasto； the rich had paid
less than their share； and that they should now pay up to an equality
with those who； in order to meet the demand unjustly made； had been
compelled to sell their possessions。 This proposal alarmed the great
more than the Catasto had done； and in self…defense they unceasingly
decried it； declaring it in the highest degree unjust in being laid
not only on immovable but movable property； which people possess
to…day and lose to…morrow； that many persons have hidden wealth which
the Catasto cannot reach； that those who leave their own affairs to
manage those of the republic should be less burdened by her； it being
enough for them to give their labour； and that it was unjust of the
city to take both their property and their time； while of others she
only took money。 The advocates of the Catasto replied； that if movable
property varies； the taxes would also vary； and frequently rating it
would remedy the evil to which it was subject； that it was unnecessary
to mention those who possessed hidden property； for it would be
unreasonable to take taxes for that which produced no interest； and
that if it paid anything； it could not fail to be discovered： that
those who did not like to labor for the republic might cease to do so；
for no doubt she would find plenty of loving citizens who would take
pleasure in assisting her with both money and counsel： that the
advantages and honors of a participation in the government are so
great； that of themselves they are a sufficient remuneration to those
who thus employ themselves； without wishing to be excused from paying
their share of taxes。 But； they added； the real grievance had not been
mentioned： for those who were offended with the Catasto； regretted
they could no longer involve the city in all the difficulties of war
without injury to themselves； now that they had to contribute like the
rest； and that if this law had then been in force they would not have
gone to war with King Ladislaus； or the Duke Filippo； both which
enterprises had been not through necessity； but to impoverish the
citizens。 The excitement was appeased by Giovanni de' Medici； who
said； 〃It is not well to go into things so long past； unless to learn
something for our present guidance； and if in former times the
taxation has been unjust； we ought to be thankful； that we have now
discovered a method of making it equitable； and hope that this will be
the means of uniting the citizens； not of dividing them； which would
certainly be the case were they to attempt the recovery of taxes for
the past； and make them equal to the present； and that he who is
content with a moderate victory is always most successful； for those
who would more than conquer； commonly lose。〃 With such words as these
he calmed the disturbance； and this retrospective equalization was no
longer contemplated。
The war with the duke still continued； but peace was at length
restored by means of a legate of the pope。 The duke； however； from the
first disregarded the conditions； so that the league again took arms；
and meeting the enemy's forces at Maclovio routed them。 After this
defeat the duke again made proposals for peace； to which the
Florentines and Venetians both agreed； the former from jealousy of the
Venetians； thinking they had spent quite enough money in the
aggrandizement of others； the latter； because they found Carmignuola；
after the defeat of the duke； proceed but coldly in their cause； so
that they thought it no longer safe to trust him。 A treaty was
therefore concluded in 1428； by which the Florentines recovered the
places they had lost in Romagna； and the Venetians kept Brescia； to
which the duke added Bergamo and the country around it。 In this war
the Florentines expended three millions and a half of ducats； extended
the territory and power of the Venetians； and brought poverty and
disunion upon themselves。
Being at peace with their neighbors； domestic troubles recommenced。
The great citizens could not endure the Catasto； and not knowing how
to set it aside； they endeavored to raise up more numerous enemies to
the measure； and thus provide themselves with allies to assist them in
annulling it。 They therefore instructed the officers appointed to levy
the tax； that the law required them to extend the Catasto over the
property of their nearest neighbors； to see if Florentine wealth was
concealed among it。 The dependent states were therefore ordered to
present a schedule of their property against a certain time。 This was
extremely offensive to the people of Volterra； who sent to the Signory
to complain of it； but the officers； in great wrath； committed
eighteen of the complainants to prison。 The Volterrani； however； out
of regard for their fellow…countrymen who were arrested； did not
proceed to any violence。
CHAPTER IV
Death of Giovanni de' MediciHis characterInsurrection of
VolterraVolterra returns to her allegianceNiccolo Fortebraccio
attacks the LuccheseDiversity of opinion about the Lucchese war
War with LuccaAstore Gianni and Rinaldo degli Albizzi
appointed commissariesViolence of Astorre Gianni。
About this time Giovanni de' Medici was taken ill； and finding his end
approach； called his sons Cosmo and Lorenzo to him； to give them his
last advice； and said； 〃I find I have nearly reached the term which
God and nature appointed at my birth； and I die content； knowing that
I leave you rich； healthy； and of such standing in society； that if
you pursue the same course that I have； you will live respected in
Florence； and in favor with everyone。 Nothing cheers me so much at
this moment； as the recollection that I have never willfully offended
anyone； but have always used my utmost endeavors to confer benefits
upon all。 I would have you do so too。 With regard to state affairs； if
you would live in security； take just such a share as the laws and
your countrymen think proper to bestow； thus you will escape both
danger and envy； for it is not what is given to any individual； but
what he has determined to possess； that occasions odium。 You will thus
have a larger share than those who endeavor to engross more than
belongs to them； for they thus usually lose their own； and before they
lose it； live in constant disquiet。 By adopting this method； although
among so many enemies； and surrounded by so many conflicting
interests； I have not only maintained my reputation but increased my
influence。 If you pursue the same course； you will be attended by the
same good fortune； if otherwise； you may be assured； your end will
resemble that of those who in our own times have brought ruin both
upon themselves and their families。〃 Soon after this interview with
his sons； Giovanni died； regretted by everyone； as his many
excellencies deserved。 He was compassionate； not only bestowing alms
on those who asked them； but very frequently relieving the necessities
of the poor； without having been solicited so to do。 He loved all；
praised the good； and pitied the infirmities of the wicked。 He never
sought the honors of government； yet enjoyed them all； and never went
to the palace unless by request。 He loved peace and shunned war；
relieved mankind in adversity； and assisted them in prosperity； never
applied the public money to his own uses； but contributed to the
public wealth。 He was courteous in office； not a man of great
eloquence； but possessed of extraordinary prudence。 His demeanor
expressed melancholy； but after a short time his conversation became
pleasant and facetious。 He died exceedingly rich in money； but still
more in good fame and the best wishes of mankind； and the wealth and
respect he left behind him were not only preserved but increased by
his son Cosmo。
The Volterran ambassadors grew weary of lyi