. count of Savoy, arose to that dignity in the year 1285. In him it appeared, that mental excellence can rise superior to riches or extent of territory; for although his dominions were by no means extensive, nor his riches great, yet, in consequence of his wisdom and prudence, he obtained the surname of Great. The cautious prudence of Amadeus, however, enabled him greatly to increase his territory by means of marriage, purchase, and donations. In this situation, with extended dominion, and distinguishing for wisdom and prudence, he rose to such eminence among the European powers, that he was constituted their umpire to settle their differences; and in that station acquitted himself with much reputation and general Amadeus neral utility. In his character valour and wisdom were combined; for when the Turks attempted to retake the isle of Rhodes from the knights of St John of Jerusalem, he boldly defended it, and acquired great renown. A Maltese cross with the letters F. E. R. T. in future became the arms of Amadeus and his successors, in memory of this signal victory. The explanation of this motto is said to be, Fortitudo ejus Rhodium tenuit.—“His valour kept Rhodes.” For this important service the grandmaster conferred on him the grant of a palace at Lyons. Andronicus the emperor of the east had married his daughter; and in order to promote the views of his son-in-law, Amadeus took a journey to Avignon to persuade Pope John XXII. to breach a crusade in favour of Andronicus. In the year 1323 the famous Amadeus died at that place. Deep penetration, keen discernment, consummate prudence, great valour, together with no small portion of the religious superstition of his time, appear to have been the reigning features in his character. (Mod. Univ. Hist.)

Amadeus VIII, count of Savoy, in 1391, succeeded his father Amadeus VII. With the large sum of 45,000 florins of gold he purchased the country of Genevois from its last earl. Anxious to extend his territories, he purchased the city of Rumilly, upon the lake of Geneva, from the widow of the count of Genevois, and thus the house of Savoy became so illustrious that the emperor Sigismund erected Savoy into a duchy in the year 1426. Historians relate, that he assisted John Paleologus against the duke of Milan, who endeavoured to wrest from him the duchy of Montferrat. Deeply sensible of the services which he had received, Paleologus not only resigned to the duke, Chivas, Brandis, and several other estates, but submitted to hold all the marquisate of Montferrat as a fief from the house of Savoy. These fortunate acquisitions of territory were not yet limited; for upon the marriage of his daughter with Philip Maria, duke of Milan, he received Vercelli, and about the same time the count of Crecentino submitted to become his fief. In his ambitious pursuit, he laid claim to the sovereignty of the city of Geneva; but that claim, though enforced by the pope, was rejected by the citizens with disdain, and the emperor Sigismund taking it under his protection, declared it an imperial city. After such an extensive acquisition of dominion, and amassing such sums of money, he formed the singular scheme of abandoning his throne and family; and for that purpose retired to a religious house at a place called Ripaille. But although he resigned the dukedom of Savoy to his eldest son Lewis, and made his youngest son Philip, count of Genevois; yet their honours were merely nominal, for he constrained them to live on a very scanty allowance, while he in his retirement received all the revenues, and collected such sums of money, that he is said to have purchased the papal honours. During the previous part of his life, having adopted great sanctity of manners, the motives for his retirement were generally reckoned religious; but what was the astonishment of mankind to behold the seat of his hermitage become the habitation of every rare delicacy, and of the most refined luxury! The local situation of the place was truly delightful, and was enriched with every thing that could afford gratification to the senses; and his retinue consisted of some of his most intimate friends, along with 20 faithful servants, who were the guardians of his voluptuous secrets. Neither did he assume a religious habit, but wore purple robes, and upon his mantle was embroidered a golden cross. His table groaned under the weight of luxurious dainties, and the most excellent music cheered the daily feats; in short, such was the voluptuosity of that place, that in the French language the phrase, faire ripailles, signifies to make exquisite good cheer.

He instituted a secular knighthood in that place under the appellation of St Maurice. The brethren assumed the name of hermits, wore beards, and excluded women from their community; and in other respects composed the character of decent epics.

When he obtained the papal dignity, and was crowned by the cardinal of Arles at Basil, all Europe was filled with astonishment in consequence of his elevation; for he had never entered into holy orders. But he had found means to remove every objection, the council confirmed his election, and with pretended reluctance he put on his pontifical ornaments, and was consecrated in the church of St Maurice. It seemed good to Amadeus to assume the title of Felix V. As might naturally be expected in such circumstances, the papal dignity was severely contested between him and Eugenius; and notwithstanding all the importunities of the council, the emperor refused to acknowledge his elevation. This religious dispute involved all Europe in contention. Historians relate that Germany remained neutral, and France, England, Italy, Spain, and Hungary, declared for Eugenius; but Arragon, Poland, and Bretagne, recognized the council only; at the same time that Savoy, Switzerland, Basil, Strauburg, Pomerania, and one of the duchies of Bavaria, recognized Felix. The emperor Frederick III. held a council at Frankfort, before which both the popes urged their respective rights by means of deputies. This attempt, however, to regain peace to Europe was unsuccessful; therefore the emperor repaired to the vicinity of Basil, and had a personal interview with Felix. The mind of Amadeus was now so confirmed in the enjoyment of pleasure, that he had again returned to his favourite retreat; and after the fathers of the council had frequently solicited him in vain to reside at Basil, he prevailed upon them to remove to Lyons, which was near the seat of his pleasures. During the contest, Eugenius had excommunicated Felix, the council, and several of the German princes, so that the whole church was then filled with confusion and disorder. The death of Eugenius, however, terminated the struggle; for upon his death the cardinals at Rome elected Thomas de Sarzane, who assumed the name of Nicholas V. In this situation of affairs, Amadeus deemed it prudent to enter into a negociation for the resignation of his papal crown. In this transaction he displayed the profoundest policy and address, which induced Nicholas to annul all that Eugenius had done to his dishonour, or that of his associates; to confirm the determination of the council of Basil to appoint him perpetual apostolical legate in Savoy, Piedmont, and the other places of his own dominions, and even added to these the honour of being bishop of Basil, Laufanne, Strauburg, Amadeus Strasbourg and Constance. Nor did his vanity forsake him even in this political transaction, for he provided that he should continue to wear the pontifical dress unless in a very few particulars. In order to gratify the same haughty disposition, he stipulated that he should not be obliged to go to Rome to attend any general council; and that when he had occasion to approach the pope, he should rise to receive him, and instead of killing his toe, he should be permitted to kiss his cheek.

Amadeus retired to Lauffagne, and died there at the age of 62, in the year 1451.

As the time in which he lived is fertile in memorable events, so the character of Amadeus was one of the most distinguished of his time. The versatility of his genius has led writers to differ in the delineation of his character. Some have represented him as a person of singular sanctity of manners, and possessed of uncommon moderation and virtue; others have represented him as a confirmed bigot, and a violent enthusiast; and a third class of authors have magnified his talents far above the general standard, and extolled him as one of the most accomplished princes in Europe. His real character appears to be a compound of extravagancies, in which virtue, genius, caprice, and vanity, were blended. (Mod. Univ. Hist.)

Amadeus IX., count of Savoy, succeeded his father Lewis, in his dominion and honours. The prince who exerts his talents to promote the happiness of his subjects, is worthy of more fame than the prince who increases the number of his subjects by unjust and unnecessary wars. In this view Amadeus IX. deserves a place in the annals of his nation. His bodily constitution was weak, and he was afflicted with the falling sicknesses, yet, in consequence of his piety, virtue, benevolence, and justice, he was surnamed the Happy. The clemency of his temper was such that he readily pardoned those who offended him, and in few instances was he induced to punish. In his character, however, the virtue of benevolence shone with peculiar splendour among the other virtues of the Christian. A foreign minister one day used the freedom to inquire at Amadeus, if he kept any hounds. The duke replied, "a great number, and you shall see them to-morrow at noon." The minister attended at that hour in expectation of seeing a numerous pack of hounds; but the duke led him to a window which looked into an extensive square, and directing his view to a multitude of poor people eating and drinking, he exclaimed, "These are my hounds, with whom I go in chase of heaven." In all these pious and benevolent labours he was seconded by his wife Isolande of France. When one of his parlimonious courtiers reminded him that he would spend all his revenues, he generously replied, "Here is the collar of my order, let them sell it and relieve my people." In the seventh year of his reign, and the thirty-seventh of his life, he died universally lamented by all his loyal subjects, in the year 1472. In high esteem for his virtuous qualities, his subjects conferred on him the appellation of The Blest. (Mod. Univ. Hist.)