BASSANO.

ASSANO is beautifully situated on the Brenta, at the foot of the Trentine Alps. The history of this place can be traced no farther back than to the thirteenth century, at which period it was a town of the Trevisano, a district under the government of the Ezzelini family. In the early part of the fourteenth century, it was included in an extensive principality possessed by the Della Scala; and in a few years afterwards it fell into the power of Venice. The Venetians lost possession in the war of Chiozza, but subsequently regained it, and they continued thenceforward to hold the place until the dismemberment of their republic by Napoleon. The battle of Bassano was the last great contest by which Napoleon endea. voured to sustain his power in Italy.

Bassano is seldom visited by tourists, owing to its not lying in the direct routes ordinarily taken by travellers; the beauty of its scenery might, notwithstanding, claim more extensive regard. The approach to the city, by the road from Trent to Venice, is so picturesque as to be scarcely rivalled even in Italy.

VICENZA.

HE history of Vicenza offers few events sufficiently remarkable to demand especial notice. As the ancient Vicentia, or Vicetia, it is classed amongst the municipal towns by Tacitus. On the fall of the empire it suffered from the barbarians; and at a subsequent period it incurred the displeasure of Frederick II. for its attachment to the Guelphic cause. After having for some time formed part of the Venetian territories on terra firma, it was apportioned by the League of Cambrai, to pope Julius II. The republic afterwards recovered possession, and Vicenza continued under the government of Venice until the French invasion in 1798. When the power of Napoleon was annihilated in Italy, this city, with its dependencies, was annexed to the Austrian territory.

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