ory, induced by the necessity of the case, of which they were
previously aware, and further encouraged by the advice of those who now
addressed them, gave authority to fifty-six citizens to provide for the
safety of the republic. It is usually found that most men are better
adapted to pursue a good course already begun, than to discover one
applicable to immediate circumstances. These citizens thought rather of
extinguishing existing factions than of preventing the formation of
new ones, and effected neither of these objects. The facilities for the
establishment of new parties were not removed; and out of those which
they guarded against, another more powerful arose, which brought the
republic into still greater danger. They, however, deprived three of
the family of the Albizzi, and three of that of the Ricci, of all the
offices of government, except those of the Guelphic party, for three
years; and among the deprived were Piero degli Albizzi and Uguccione
de' Ricci. They forbade the citizens to assemble in the palace, except
during the sittings of the Signory. They provided that if any one were
beaten, or possession of his property detained from him, he might bring
his case before the council and denounce the offender, even if he were
one of the nobility; and that if it were proved, the accused should be
subject to the usual penalties. This provision abated the boldness of
the Ricci, and increased that of the Albizzi; since, although it applied
equally to both, the Ricci suffered from it by far the most; for if
Piero was excluded from the palace of the Signory, the chamber of the
Guelphs, in which he possessed the greatest authority, remained open to
him; and if he and his followers had previously been ready to ADMONISH,
they became after this injury, doubly so. To this pre-disposition for
evil, new excitements were added.

CHAPTER II

The war of the Florentines against the pope's legate, and the causes
of it--League against the pope--The censures of the pope disregarded in
Florence--The city is divided into two factions, the one the Capitani di
Parte, the other of the eight commissioners of the war--Measures adopted
by the Guelphic party against their adversaries--The Guelphs endeavor to
prevent Salvestro de Medici from being chosen Gonfalonier--Salvestro de
Medici Gonfalonier--His law against the nobility, and in favor of the
Ammoniti--The _Collegi_ disapprove of the law--Salvestro addresses the
council in its f