ABSTRACT
Machiavelli has been the object of much argument, founded on the motives that impelled him to write his celebrated treatise of the “Prince,” which he declares to be a manual for sovereigns, and Rousseau has named the manual of republicans. The family of Machiavelli carried back its origin to the ancient marquesses of Tuscany, and especially to a marquis Ugo, who flourished about the year 850, who was the root whence sprung various nobles, who possessed power over territories, which the growing state of Florence speedily encroached upon. The Machiavelli belonged to that portion of the Guelph party which abandoned their native town in 1260, after the defeat of Monteaperti. The disposition of Machiavelli was observing and industrious; his ambition was under the rule of judgment, and his hopes fixed on the favour he might secure from the heads of government.
