all Italian writers molds his sentences and makes
them difficult of translation.

There have been few translations made of his book; none (published) as
yet, of any literary value; and Castiglione has not been much known
out of Italy. One of the few mentions of him in English literature is
to be found in Donne, Satire v., and it touches on a characteristic
page of his book, for it notes:--

"He which did lay
Rules to make courtiers (he, being understood,
May make good courtiers, but who courtiers good?)
Frees from the sting of jests all who in extreme
Are wretched or wicked."

In his own country Castiglione's fame has always been considerable.
Ariosto--to whose brother Alfonso, "Messer Alfonso carissimo," the
four books of 'Il Cortegiano' are dedicated and at whose desire it was
written--Ariosto in his great poem speaks of Castiglione more than
once; but a passage in Tasso's dialogue 'Della Corte' does him fit
honor:--"I do not deem that Castiglione wrote for the men of his own
day only:... the beauty of his writings deserves that in all ages they
should be read and praised; and as long as courts shall endure, as
long as princes, ladies, and noble gentlemen shall meet together, as
long as valor and courtesy shall abide in our hearts, the name of
Castiglione will be valued."

OF THE COURT OF URBINO

From 'Il Cortegiano'

On the slopes of the Apennines, towards the Adriatic Sea, almost in
the centre of Italy, there lies (as every one knows) the little city
of Urbino. Although surrounded by mountains, and rougher ones than
perhaps some others that we see in many places, it has yet enjoyed
such favor of heaven that the country round about is very fertile and
rich in crops; so that besides the salubrity of the air, there is
great abundance of everything needful for human life. But among the
greatest blessings that can be attributed to it, this I think to be
the chief, that for a long time it has ever been ruled by the best of
lords; insomuch that in the universal calamities of the wars of Italy,
it still for a space remained exempt. But without seeking further, we
can give good proof of this in the glorious memory of the Duke
Federigo, who in his day was the light of Italy; nor is there lack of
credible and abundant witnesses, who are still living, to his
prudence, humanity, justice, liberality, unconquered courage, and
military discipline; which are conspicuously atteste