CHAPTER I.

BEGINNINGS OF HUMANISM. COLUCCIO SALUTATI AND POGGIO BRACCIOLINI. THE BOOK TRADE.

Contrast between Mediæval Culture and Humanism—Character and Significance of Humanism—Florentine Education—Lapo da Castiglionichio and Luigi Marsigli—The University—Greek Studies—Manuel Chrysoloras—Early Study of Greek Learning in Florence—Poggio Bracciolini and his Discoveries—The Manuscript Business of the Fourteenth Century—Ancient Book Trade—Copyists in the Universities and Monasteries—Scarcity of Books and their High Prices—Increase of the Trade in Manuscripts—Paper Manufacture 425