 minutely on
     political or historical subjects—Antiquity of Ancona—Its
     reputation under the Roman Empire—Its celebrated resistance
     to the Emperor Frederic Barbarossa—Stratagem employed
     by its deliverers—Continues to be a free city till
     1532, when it is surprised by Gonzaga, General of Pope
     Clement VII., and subjected to the Holy See—Flourishes
     under Napoleon—Restoration of the Papacy—Pontifical
     possessions—Explanation of the terms, legations, and
     Romagna—Bologna conquered in 1506, by Julius II., but retains
     a separate form of government—Ferrara, Urbino, &c.—Dates of
     their annexation.


The foregoing pages were written solely with the view of describing
the social and domestic condition of a part of Italy little visited by
travellers, but which presents features of quaintness and originality
not easily met with in this era. Even in the Marche these peculiarities
risk speedy annihilation. Should they be fortunate enough to be
included in the emancipation from Pontifical government, of which the
neighbouring Legations now seem secure, these sketches in ten years'
time will be looked upon as monstrous caricatures. Should they on the
contrary undergo no change of _régime_, what I have said will be as
applicable a hundred years hence as it was six months ago.

The fear of compromising my friends was one great motive of my
avoidance of political subjects, further than in the exact measure
necessary to illustrate the life and conversation of the Ancona and
Macerata _società_. I have been guilty of no breach of confidence
in quoting their sentiments or anecdotes; for even if the veil of
fictitious names were seen through, the expressions attributed to
them are to be found in the mouths of every man or woman in the Papal
States, who combines intelligence with honesty. It is no want of
charity to say that no member of the anti-liberal party unites _both_
these qualities. I know and esteem a great many _Codini_, but their
mental capacity is unden