capital of the island of Chili, on the coast of Chili in South America. W. Long. 82. S. Lat. 43.

Castro is also the capital of a duchy of the same name in the Pope's territories in Italy, situated on the confines of Tuscany. E. Long. 12. 35. N. Lat. 42. 30.

Castro (Pietro de), a celebrated painter, who flourished about the middle of the 17th century. The subjects which this great artist chose to paint, were what are distinguished by the name of still life; vases, shells, musical instruments, gems, vessels of gold, silver, and crystal, books, and rich bracelets; and in these subjects his choice and disposition were elegant, and his execution admirable.

Castruccio (Castracani), a celebrated Italian general, was born (nobody knows of whom) at Lucca in Florence in 1284, and left in a vineyard covered with leaves, where he was found by Dianora a widow lady, the sister of Antonio, a canon of St Michael in Lucca, who was descended from the illustrious family of the Castracani. The lady having no Castruccio children, they resolved to bring him up, and educated him as carefully as he had been their own. They intended him for a priest; but he was scarcely 14 years old when he began to devote himself to military sports, and those violent exercises which suited his great strength of body. The factions named the Guelfs and Ghibelines then shared all Italy between them; divided the popes and the emperors; and engaged in their different interests not only the members of the same town, but even those of the same family. Francesco, a considerable person on the side of the Ghibelines, observing Castruccio's uncommon spirit and great qualities, prevailed with Antonio to let him turn soldier; on which Castruccio soon became acquainted with everything belonging to that profession, and was made lieutenant of a company of foot by Francesco Guinigi. In his first campaign he gave such proofs of his courage and conduct as spread his fame all over Lombardy; and Guinigi, dying soon after, committed to him the care of his son and the management of his estate. Still distinguishing himself by his exploits, he filled his commander-in-chief with such jealousy and envy, that he was imprisoned by stratagem in order to be put to death. But the people of Lucca soon released him, and afterwards chose him for their sovereign prince. The Ghibelines considered him as the chief of their party; and those who had been banished from their country fled to him for protection, and unanimously promised, that if he could restore them to their estates, they would serve him so effectually that the sovereignty of their country should be his reward. Flattered by these promises, he entered into a league with the prince of Milan. He kept his army constantly on foot, employing it as best suited his own designs. For services he had done the pope, he was made senator of Rome with more than ordinary ceremony; but while there, received news which obliged him to hasten back to Lucca. The Florentines entered into a war with him, but Castruccio fought his way through them; and the supreme authority of Tuscany was ready to fall into his hands, when a period was put to his life. In May 1328, he gained a complete victory over his enemies, who amounted to 30,000 foot and 10,000 horse; in which 22,000 of them were slain, with the loss of not quite 16,000 of his own men; but as he was returning from the field of battle, tired with the action, and covered with sweat, he halted a little, in order to thank and comfort his soldiers as they passed; when, the north wind blowing upon him, he was immediately seized with an ague, which he at first neglected, but it carried him off in a few days, in the 44th year of his age.

Machiavel, who has written the life of Castruccio, says, that he was not only an extraordinary man in his own age, but would have been so in any other. He was of a noble aspect, and of the most winning address. He had all the qualities that make a man great; was grateful to his friends, just to his subjects, terrible to his enemies. No man was more forward to encounter dangers; no man more careful to escape them. He had an uncommon presence of mind, and often made repartees with great smartness. Some of them are recorded, which discover a singular turn of humour; Castruccio and, for a specimen, we shall mention three or four of them.—Passing one day through a street where there was a house of bad fame, he surprized a young man, who was just coming out, and who, upon seeing him, was all over blushes and confusion: "Friend, you should not be alarmed when you come out, but when you go in."—One asking a favour of him with a thousand impertinent and superfluous words: "Hark you, friend; when you would have anything with me for the future, send another man to ask it."—Another great talker having tired him with a tedious discourse, excused himself at last, by saying, he was afraid he had been troublesome. "No indeed," replied he, "for I did not mind one word you said."—He was forced to put a citizen of Lucca to death, who had formerly been a great instrument of his advancement; and being reproached by somebody for having dealt so severely with an old friend, replied, "No, you are mistaken, it was with a new foe."—One of his courtiers, desirous to regale him, made a ball and invited him to it. Castruccio came, entertained himself among the ladies, danced, and did other things which did not seem to comport with the dignity of his rank. One of his friends intimating that such freedoms might diminish the reverence that ought to be paid him: "I thank you for your caution; but he who is reckoned wise all the day, will never be reckoned a fool at night."