Many touches in this concluding passage bear a strong resemblance to what seems to have been the teaching of the contemporary German mystics. It would be interesting to inquire how far Dante can have been acquainted with any of the writings of that school. If any connection can be traced, it may throw light on several obscure points.[39] It remains to be added that the _Commedia_ was first printed at Foligno in 1472. Editions followed in quick succession from Jesi, Mantua, and Naples. The first Venetian edition is that of Vindelin of Spires, in 1477; the first Florentine, that with Landino’s commentary, in 1481. It was printed several times more before 1500, and constantly in the sixteenth century. We have several commentaries dating from a period only later by a few years than Dante’s death. FOOTNOTES: [28] Not only this allusion, but the occurrence, in this and other parts of the poem, of several words used in that district makes it almost certain that Dante was very familiar with the country round about Trent. Doubtless he would visit it from Verona. [29] See p. 79. [30] See p. 36. [31] It seems never to have been noticed that, as every line from the surface to the centre is perpendicular, a descent by _slopes_, such as is represented, would really be impossible. [32] See p. 34. [33] A late legend, to which some eminent writers have given too easy credence, does actually assert that Dante did go to Genoa, in the suite of Henry VII., about the end of 1311, and there was ill-used by some of Branca d’Oria’s friends or domestics. But none of the early commentators knows anything of this tale. [34] But see p. 42. [35] See pp. 48-51. [36] See p. 38. [37] See p. 70. [38] Note that _cupidigia_ is, in Dante’s scheme, the vice opposed to _giustizia_, that which debases nations as righteousness exalts them. [39] See also p. 46. CHAPTER VII. THE MINOR WORKS The _Commedia_ is, for many readers perhaps, the only book distinctly identified with Dante’s name. Yet it must be remembered that, as a matter of fact, it represents less than half of the total bulk of his writings; and, further, that the remainder comprises several works which, though not attaining to the pre-eminent position which all the world now recognises the great poem as occupying, are very remarkable monuments of mediæval literature. Of the youthful work, the _Vita Nuova_, we have already spoken. It may be sufficient here to add that--though there is some controversy on the point--the name probably means only “Early” or “Fresh Life.” The book was pretty certainly written not much after 1290, though the last chapter, in which the author’s design to compose a greater work is alluded to, may have been added when the scheme of the _Commedia_ was more developed. The _Vita Nuova_ was not printed till 1578.