Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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ding the publication of any facts of its history ; and
the same reserve and
withdrawal from all active concern for the national honor, was even more
marked as the eighteenth century came and passed." Such are the histor-
ical facts in the light of which the honors of the Diodatis during this period
are to be interpreted. The generalship under Charles III. of Spain is also
significant, as showing that one of the family, at that time, was ready to
sacrifice even what little remained of the life of his country to the will of
the alien oppressor. The second Lorenzo of this branch (12th gen.) had
also, already, allied himself with Spain ; for his wife was Isabella daughter
of a noble Catalan named Bellet, Lieut.-General of the army of the King
of Spain. This branch of the family became extinct in the last century.
In this connection it may be mentioned, farther, that
" there is in the possession of the family [in Geneva] a superb folio, bound in
crimson velvet, of 14 pp. of vellum, with the imperial seal of Joseph II. [1765-90]
hanging from it in a gilt box. ... It recites the dignities of the Diodati family
in magnificent terms, and confirms to it the title of Count of the Empire. One of
the pages is occupied with a fine illumination of the family-arms, the shield being
placed on the imperial eagle." "
" Sismondi's Hist. d. Republ. Ital., ut supra, xvi. 207 if., 220, 274, 284 ff.
" Letter of Rev. Dr. L. W. Bacon, Februar)' 18, 1875. A beautiful photographed cop}' of this Patent
is now in our possession, through Dr. Bacon's kindness. The substance of it is that, in consideration of
the ancient nobility of the Diodati family, and its distinguished public services and dignities, both in
the old Italian home and in foreign lands, as well as of the recognition of their high position by the
King of France in 1719, and in consideration, farther, of the high personal distinction and claims of
merit of John Diodati, great great great grandson of Pompeio, grandson of Gabriel, and son of
Abraham, the Emperor confers a countship of the empire, with the amplest dignities and privileges,
upon him and upon all his children and direct descendants, bemg legitimate, of both sexes. It is dated at
Vienna, October 4, 1783. This John is the same who has been named above (p. 381), as the last in the
line of direct descent from Pompeio. Attached to this Patent is a blazon of the Diodati arms, introduced
as follows : " Ut autem eo luculentius de collata hac Sacri Romani Imperii Comitatis Dignitate omni
Posteritati constet, non solum antiqua Nobilitatis ejus Insignia clementer laudamus et approbamus, ac
quatenus opus est de novo concedimus, sed ea quoque novis accessionibus exornata sequentem in
modum omni posthac tempore gestanda ac ferenda benigne elargimur. [Here follows the description
of the arms given at the head of this monograph.] Prout haec omnia propriis suis coloribus in medio
hujus Nostri Caesarei Diplomatis accuratius depicta sunt."
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