DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.55699#0157
THE LIBRARY OF SAINT MARK.
123
was received appear to have produced an impression
upon his mind highly favourable to the Venetians. Visit-
ing the city on another occasion, he announced his in-
tention of bequeathing to the republic his library, in the
following letter addressed to the council:—“Francesco
Petrarca desires to bequeath to St. Mark the Evangelist,
the books which he now possesses, or which he shall in
future possess. He would impose this condition only,
that they shall be neither sold, alienated, nor dispersed,
and that some place, secure from water and fire, may be
assigned for the preservation of the library, in memory
of the donor, to the glory of the patron saint, and for
the consolation of studious men, who may frequent it
with pleasure and advantage. In forming this wish he
does not forget that the books are neither very precious
nor very numerous, but he indulges a hope that the col-
lection may increase under the auspices of this glorious
republic. The illustrious nobles, the patriotic citizens,
and even strangers may in future enrich it by bestowing
upon it portions of their own collections, so that at
length it may rival the most famous libraries of antiquity.
The least enlightened persons will perceive that this
monument will not be useless in forwarding the glory of
their country 5 that he has laid the first foundations of
the edifice will ever be a source of happiness to the
donor.” The Venetians gratefully accepted this inesti-
mable present, which became the foundation of the
Library of St. Mark. Amongst the manuscripts collected
by Petrarch were one of Homer, presented to him by
Nicholas Segoros, ambassador from the Emperor of the
East j a Sophocles, which he had received from Leontius
123
was received appear to have produced an impression
upon his mind highly favourable to the Venetians. Visit-
ing the city on another occasion, he announced his in-
tention of bequeathing to the republic his library, in the
following letter addressed to the council:—“Francesco
Petrarca desires to bequeath to St. Mark the Evangelist,
the books which he now possesses, or which he shall in
future possess. He would impose this condition only,
that they shall be neither sold, alienated, nor dispersed,
and that some place, secure from water and fire, may be
assigned for the preservation of the library, in memory
of the donor, to the glory of the patron saint, and for
the consolation of studious men, who may frequent it
with pleasure and advantage. In forming this wish he
does not forget that the books are neither very precious
nor very numerous, but he indulges a hope that the col-
lection may increase under the auspices of this glorious
republic. The illustrious nobles, the patriotic citizens,
and even strangers may in future enrich it by bestowing
upon it portions of their own collections, so that at
length it may rival the most famous libraries of antiquity.
The least enlightened persons will perceive that this
monument will not be useless in forwarding the glory of
their country 5 that he has laid the first foundations of
the edifice will ever be a source of happiness to the
donor.” The Venetians gratefully accepted this inesti-
mable present, which became the foundation of the
Library of St. Mark. Amongst the manuscripts collected
by Petrarch were one of Homer, presented to him by
Nicholas Segoros, ambassador from the Emperor of the
East j a Sophocles, which he had received from Leontius