Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/319

295 CHAPTER II. ITALIAN WARS. — RETREAT OF CHARLES VIIL — CAMPAIGNS OF GONSALVO DE CORDOVA. — FINAL EXPULSION OF THE FRENCH. 1495—1496. Impolitic Conduct of Charles. — He plunders the Works of Art. — Gon- salvo de Cordova. — His Brilliant Qualities. — Raised to the Italian Command. — Battle of Seminara. — Gonsalvo's Successes. — Decline of the French. — He receives the Title of Great Captain. — Expul- sion of the French from Italy. Charles the Eighth might have found abun- chapter dant occupation, during his brief residence at Na- '- — 1 • 1 ., 1 1 • J •. c Conduct of pies, in placing the kingdom in a proper posture oi charies. defence, and in conciliating the good-will of the inhabitants, without which he could scarcely hope to maintain himself permanently in his conquest. So far from this, however, he showed the utmost aversion to business, wasting his hours, as has been already noticed, in the most frivolous amusements. He treated the great feudal aristocracy of the coun- try with utter neglect ; rendering himself difficult of access, and lavishing all dignities and emolu- ments with partial prodigality on his French sub- jects. His followers disgusted the nation still further by their insolence and unbridled licentious- ness. The people naturally called to mind the