a native of Poland, was originally a wheelwright and the son of Cosifco, a citizen of Cracow. He flourished in the year 830, when on the extinction of the family of Popiel great disputes arose about his successor, and Cracow was afflicted with a severe famine. During this extremity, when the people were dropping down in the streets, two angels in human forms, as the story is told, took up their residence with Piastus, who was celebrated for his piety and extensive charity. He had nothing left but a small cask of the common liquor of the country, and this he presented to his new guests, who, charmed with his hospitality, promised him the crown of Poland. The faith of Piastus was equal to his other virtues: he implicitly believed the word of his guests; he piously followed their directions in every particular. He was ordered to distribute the liquor out of his little cask to the multitude: he did so, and found that it was inexhaustible. The people were astonished; all cried out, "A miracle!" and the electors determined to choose a person in whose favour Heaven had so visibly declared: Piastus was accordingly taken from his shop, and raised to the ducal dignity.

Such is the relation of the canon of Cracow, which differs in many particulars from the account given by Guagnini, and several other historians. According to them, Piastus had prepared a small collation, to entertain some friends who were assembled at the birth of a child. Two pilgrims, Paul and John, afterwards murdered at Rome, came about this time to Cracow. They begged charity at the door of the election-hall, and were rudely repulsed; upon which they stumbled on the house of Piastus, and were kindly received. The miracle we have mentioned was wrought by them; and the two pilgrims, and not angels, were the instruments of the elevation of the hospitable wheelwright. Though we pay but little regard to the marvellous means by which Piastus ascended the ducal throne of Poland, it would be presumptuous entirely to omit a fact attested by all the writers upon this subject: it was proper, therefore, to take notice of it, and we leave the rest to the reader's judgement.

Being now raised to the supreme dignity, he was not intoxicated with his prosperity. His natural charity, benevolence, and sweetness of disposition, remained: nothing was altered but his power of doing good. He was truly called the father of his people: the injured never returned unredeemed, nor merit unrewarded. Piastus wiped the tear from the eyes of the widow; and was himself the guardian of the orphan, and the general patron of the poor and distressed. His excellent inclinations served him in the room of great abilities; and the happiness that his people enjoyed made them forget that their prince was not born a statesman and a warrior. Several intestine commotions arose during his administration, all which he quelled by the mildness and clemency of his nature: his nobility were ashamed Piafus ashamed of rebelling against a sovereign who devoted his whole life to render his people happy. He removed the court from Cracow, a city which he detested, because it was the scene of Piafus's crimes and tragic end, and fixed his residence at Gniezno, where he died beloved, esteemed, and even adored by his subjects.

It is in memory of this excellent prince, that all the natives of Poland, who have been since promoted to the ducal or regal dignity, were called Piafus, in contradiction to the foreigners.

Piafus associated his son Ziemowit with him in the government before his death; a circumstance of much benefit to the people.