Lorenzo did not long survive the publication of this testimony of esteem. On the twenty-third of September, 1440, he paid the great debt of nature. In him Poggio was at once deprived of a father, a brother, and a friend—of one who was always ready to sympathize in his cares, and to assist him in his distresses.[335] Whilst Lorenzo lived he was free from anxiety with regard to pecuniary affairs, as in his liberality he constantly found the most copious resources in the hour of need. By the death of this generous benefactor, he was deeply affected; and as soon as his grief would permit him to collect his scattered thoughts, he hastened to celebrate the virtues of his deceased friend, in an eulogium on his character, which he addressed to Carlo Aretino. From this effusion of affectionate esteem, we learn that Lorenzo was endued with the elegance of taste, the liberality of spirit, and the urbanity of manners, which for so long a period distinguished all the branches of his renowned family. His kinsmen no doubt deemed his memory highly honoured by the respectful attendance of Eugenius IV. at his funeral obsequies.[336] But they were probably little aware, that the duteous zeal of an humble secretary would be more conducive to the diffusion and the permanence of his fame, than the splendour of a pontifical procession, or the grandeur of monumental memorials. CHAP. IX. _War between the Florentines and the duke of Milan—Treachery and death of Vitelleschi—The duke of Milan makes peace with the Florentines—Death of Niccolo d’Este—Character of his successor, Lionello—Correspondence between Lionello and Poggio—Remarks on the price of books—Eugenius endeavours to drive Sforza from the Marca d’Ancona—He quits Florence—Death of Nicolao Albergato, cardinal of Santa Croce—Poggio’s funeral eulogium on the cardinal—Memoirs of Tommaso da Sarzana—Poggio dedicates to Tommaso his dialogue On the Unhappiness of princes—Analysis of that dialogue—Death of Leonardo Aretino—Funeral honours paid to Leonardo—Gianozzo Manetti’s oration on that occasion—Poggio’s eulogium on Leonardo—Character of Leonardo—Account of Leonardo’s successor, Carlo Marsuppini—Death of cardinal Julian—Poggio’s eulogium on the cardinal._ CHAP. IX.