Harford, John Scandrett: The life of Michael Angelo Buonarroti: with translations of many of his poems and letters : also memoirs of Savonarola, Raphael,, and Vittoria Colonna (Vol. 1) (London: Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans, & Roberts, 1858)

158 LIFE OF MICHAEL ANGELO.

CHAPTER VIII.
PART SECOND.
SPECIMENS OF SAVONAROLA'S ELOQUENCE AND POWER AS A
PREACHER. -INDIGNATION OF THE PAPAL GOVERNMENT ON
HEARING OF THE FREEDOM WITH WHICH HE EXPOSED THE
CORRUPTIONS OF THE CHURCH AND THE CLERGY. — VAIN
ATTEMPTS TO WIN HIM OVER TO ITS INTERESTS_INFAMOUS
CHARACTER OF POPE ALEXANDER VI. -CONSPIRACY TO RE-
STORE THE MEDICI, AND CONSEQUENT TRIAL AND DEATH OF
FIVE LEADING CITIZENS. -REFLECTIONS ON THIS ACT. -
THE CARNIVAL CONVERTED INTO A RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL BY
SAVONAROLA. -CENSURE ON THE EXTRAVAGANCES ATTEND-
ING IT. -HTS POLITICAL INFLUENCE DECLINES. -EXCOMMU-
NICATED by the pope. — SAVONAROLA'S exposure of the
pontiff's VICES.-ADDRESSES LETTERS TO THE POTENTATES
OF EUROPE DECLARING HIM TO BE NO TRUE POPE. — ORDEAL
OF FIRE. — PUBLIC COMMOTIONS. -TRIAL, CONDEMNATION,
DEATH, AND CHARACTER OF SAVONAROLA.
1494 to 1498.
In preaching, Savonarola was as indefatigable as
ever, and as impressive. Many volumes of his Ser-
mons have been published, chiefly taken down from
his lips, between the years 1494 and 1498. The
art of reporting was then in its infancy, but imper-
fect as they must be deemed, these Sermons convey
a very high idea of the learning and ability, the lofty