Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VIII. Lucrezia's Court In Ferrara. Luorezia's Joy at her Husband's Escape--He restores Confidence in Ferrara--The Pope's Army retires from the Ferrarese Territory--Death of the Pope--Leo X.--Peace in Ferrara--Great Distress in Ferrara--Alfonso pledges his Plate to relieve the Distresses of the Poor--Lucrezia's Jewels--Lucrezia's Letters--Her Court--Her Patronage of Men of Letters and Artists--Vanozza--Death of Don Alessandro, Lucrezia's Youngest Son--Lucrezia's Death. t DEGREES RE AT indeed was Lucrezia's joy at again beholding her husband, for terrible had been her anxieties during his absence; not solely from the great solicitude she had been in for his personal safety, but also--though in a minor degree--from her desire to receive his advice and instruction as to the domestic government of Ferrara, which, as stated in the last chapter, had been left entirely in her hands. Although she had managed it with great discretion and admirable justice, it was a task requiring far greater strength of constitution--though neither of will nor mental ability--than she possessed to carry it out to her own satisfaction. Not only did the management of her children require her frequent superintendence--for it is indisputable that Lucrezia exercised over her offspring a far stricter surveillance, and took a greater personal interest in them, than at the present day is the fashion for princesses to exercise over their nurseries--but her health was in a very delicate condition, being continually subject to those attacks of low fever which seemed invariably to seize her with more or less severity whenever she attempted permanently to reside in Ferrara. Yet, notwithstanding these impediments, she appears to have been indefatigable in superintending