[Footnote 92: On this subject modern testimonies cannot be trusted. The original passages are collected by Ducange, (Gloss. Latin. tom. i. p. 675, _Bombarda_.) But in the early doubtful twilight, the name, sound, fire, and effect, that seem to express _our_ artillery, may be fairly interpreted of the old engines and the Greek fire. For the English cannon at Crecy, the authority of John Villani (Chron. l. xii. c. 65) must be weighed against the silence of Froissard. Yet Muratori (Antiquit. ItaliÊ Medii ∆vi, tom. ii. Dissert. xxvi. p. 514, 515) has produced a decisive passage from Petrarch, (De Remediis utriusque FortunÊ Dialog.,) who, before the year 1344, execrates this terrestrial thunder, _nuper_ rara, _nunc_ communis. * Note: Mr. Hallam makes the following observation on the objection thrown our by Gibbon: "The positive testimony of Villani, who died within two years afterwards, and had manifestly obtained much information as to the great events passing in France, cannot be rejected. He ascribes a material effect to the cannon of Edward, Colpi delle bombarde, which I suspect, from his strong expressions, had not been employed before, except against stone walls. It seems, he says, as if God thundered con grande uccisione di genti e efondamento di cavalli." Middle Ages, vol. i. p. 510.--M.] [Footnote 93: The Turkish cannon, which Ducas (c. 30) first introduces before Belgrade, (A.D. 1436,) is mentioned by Chalcondyles (l. v. p. 123) in 1422, at the siege of Constantinople.] Chapter LXVI: Union Of The Greek And Latin Churches.--Part I. Applications Of The Eastern Emperors To The Popes.--Visits To The West, Of John The First, Manuel, And John The Second, PalÊologus.--Union Of The Greek And Latin Churches, Promoted By The Council Of Basil, And Concluded At Ferrara And Florence.--State Of Literature At Constantinople.--Its Revival In Italy By The Greek Fugitives.--Curiosity And Emulation Of The Latins.