This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1852 edition. Excerpt: ... LIFE AND TIMES FRANCESCO SFORZA. BOOK FIFTH. FROM THE DEATH OP FILIPPO MARIA VISCONTI TILL THE ACCESSION OF FRANCESCO SFORZA TO THE DUKEDOM OF MILAN, 1447-1450. CHAPTER I. Position And Plans Of Francesco Sforza--Negotiations With The ParMese--Receives Intelligence Of What Is Going On At Milan.--Views Of The Different Parties In That City.--Conduct Of The Braccians-- Establishment Of A Republic--Revolt Of Most Of The Cities Of LomBardy From The Milanese.--Lodi And Piacenza Surrender To The "venetians.--Sforza Is Engaged By The Milanese--Advances To CreMona--Lays Siege To San Columbano.--Pavia Surrenders To Him-- Anger Of The Milanese--Their Difficulties--approach Of A French Army.--Sforza's Advice To The Milanese--Message To The French Commander--Invests Piacenza--Constructs A Bridge Across The Po-- Takes A Venetian Spy, Who Afterwards Supplies Him With Information --Defeats An Attempt Of The Venetians To Destroy The Bridge Of Cremona.--Affair Between The Milanese And French--Storming Of Piacenza--Surrender Of The Citadel--Pillage Of The Inhabitants. The death of Philip, following so closely upon that of Eugenius, seemed likely to be the beginning of a new epoch in the history of Italy. During the twenty-two 4 POSITION AND Book V. years that had elapsed since Sforza had taken the command of his father's troops, the peninsula had presented a strange spectacle. Wars had been undertaken without motive, pursued without vigour, abandoned without any advantage being secured by peace. Alliances had been a thousand times contracted, broken, renewed, and again violated. Treachery had become the moral of the day. Though the military art was no longer ennobled by the desire of saving one's country, every day beheld new captains elevated to...