period of the Italian republics, and of the | regiano, and a host of other famous men. His father bound him apprentice to a goldsmith, and he soon distinguished himself by his extraordinary abilities. Driven from Florence by a fray, he repaired to Rome, where he obtained much patronage, and afterwards to his native city. Here he was a second time obliged to fly, having nearly killed one of his rivals in art. Again he returns to Rome, where he was soon taken notice of by the pope, and employed in many important commissions. It was a most exciting period; the Constable of Bourbon was just about to besiege Rome, and Benvenuto, while engaged in a skirmish without the walls, declares that he was the individual who shot the Constable as he scaled the wall of the city. He was now shut up with the pope in the Castle of St. Angelo, where he performed a notable and Munchausenlike feat of skill. revival of art; he mixes with that galaxy He was born in Florence in the year 1500, and was contemporary with Michael Angelo, Raffaelle, Baccio Bandinello, Tor "I now gave my whole attention to firing my guns, by which means I did signal execution, so that I had in a high degree acquired the favor and good graces of his Holiness. There passed not a day that I did not kill some of the army without the castle. One day amongst others, the pope happened to walk upon the round rampart, when he saw in the public walks a Spanish colonel whom he knew by certain tokens; and understanding that he had formerly been in his service, he said something concerning him, all the while observing him attentively. I who was above at the battery, and knew nothing of the matter, but saw a man who was employed in getting the ramparts repaired, and who stood with a spear in his hand, dressed in rose-color, began to deliberate how I should lay him flat. I took my swivel, which was almost equal to a demi-culverin, turned it round, and charging it with a good quantity of fine and coarse powder mixed, aimed it at him exactly; though he was at so great a distance, that it could not be expected any effort of art should make such pieces carry so far, I fired off the gun, and hit the man in red exactly in the middle; he had arrogantly placed his sword before him in a sort of Spanish bravado, but the ball of my piece hit against his sword, and the man was seen severed into two pieces. The pope, who did not dream of any such thing, was highly delighted and surprised at what he saw, as well because he thought it impossible that such a piece could carry so far, as by reason he could not conceive how the man could be cut into two pieces. Upon this he sent for me, and made an inquiry into the whole affair: I told him the art I had used to fire in that manner; but as for the man's being split into two pieces, neither he nor I were able to account for it. So falling upon my knees I entreated his Holiness to absolve me from the guilt of homicide, as likewise from other crimes which I had committed in that castle in the service of the church. The pope lifting up his hands and making the sign of the cross over me, said that he blessed me, and gave me his absolution, for all the homicides that I had ever committed, or ever should commit, in the service of the apostolical church.” After these passages of arms, we find Cellini, in the pursuit of his profession, again dividing himself between Florence and Rome. The pope still continued his fast friend and patron, but some of the cardinals being his enemies, he was often embroiled in disputes with them, and through them with his Holiness himself. "The pope set out for Bologna, leaving Cardinal Salviati, his legate, in Rome, and ordered him to hurry me on with the work, expressing himself in these words: Benvenuto is a man that sets but little value upon his abilities, and less upon me; so be sure that you hurry him on, that the chalice may be finished at my return.' This stupid cardinal sent to me in about eight days, ordering me to bring my work with me; but I went to him without it. As soon as I came into his presence he said to me: 'Where is this fantastical work of yours? Have you finished it?' I made answer, 'Most reverend sir, I have not finished my fantastical work, as you are pleased to call it, nor can I finish it, except you give me wherewithal to enable me.' Scarce had I uttered those words, when the cardinal, whose face was liker that of an ass than a human creature, began to look more hideous than before, and immediately proceeding to abusive language, said, 'I'll confine you aboard a galley, and then you will be glad to finish the work.' As I had a brute to deal with, I used the language proper on the occasion, which was as follows: 'My lord, when I am guilty of crimes deserving the galleys, then you may send me thither; but for such an offence as mine, I am not afraid: nay, I will tell you more: on account of this ill treatment, I will not finish the work at all; so send no more for me, for I will not come, except I am compelled by the city guard.' The foolish cardinal then tried by fair means to persuade me to go on with the work in hand, and to bring what I had done, that he might examine it: in answer to all his persuasions I said, “Tell his Holiness to send me the materials, if he would have me finish this fantastical work;' nor would I give him any other answer, insomuch that, despairing of success, he at last ceased to trouble me with his importunities. The pope returned from Bologna, and immediately inquired after me, for the cardinal had already given him, by letter, the most unfavorable account of me he possibly could. His Holiness being incensed against me to the highest degree, ordered me to come to him with my work; and I obeyed. During the time he was at Bologna, I had so severe a defluxion upon my eyes, that life became almost insupportable to me that was the first cause of my not proceeding with the chalice. So much did I suffer by this disorder, that I really thought I should lose my eyesight; and I computed how much would be sufficient for my support when I was blind. In my way to the palace, I meditated within myself an excuse for discontinuing the work; and thought, that whilst the pope was considering and examining my performance, I might acquaint him with my case; but I was mistaken; for as soon as I appeared in his presence, he said to me, with great asperity, ‘Let me see that work of yours. Is it finished?' Upon my producing it, he flew into a more violent passion than before, and said, 'As there is truth in God, I assure you, since you value no living soul, that if a regard to decency did not prevent me, I would order both you and your work to be thrown this moment out of the window? Seeing the pope thus inflamed with brutal fury, I was for quitting his presence directly, and as he continued his bravadoes, I put the chalice under my cloak, muttering these words to myself, 'The whole world would prove unable to make a blind man proceed in such an undertaking as this.' The pope then, with a louder voice than before, said, 'Come hither-what's that you say?' For a while I hesitated whether I should run down stairs. At last I plucked up my courage, and falling on my knees, exclaimed aloud in these words, because he continued to scold, 'Is it reasonable that when I am become blind with a disorder, you should oblige me to continue to work?' He answered: You could see well enough to come hither, and I don't believe one word of what you say. Observing that he spoke with a milder tone of voice, I replied, 'If your Holiness will ask your physician, you will find that I declare the truth.' I shall inquire into the matter at my leisure,' said he. I now perceived that I had an opportunity to plead my cause, and therefore delivered myself thus: 'I am persuaded, most holy father, that the author of all this mischief is no other than Cardinal Salviati; because he sent for me immediately upon your Holiness's departure; and when I came to him, called my work a fantastical piece, and told me he would make me finish it in a galley: these opprobrious words made such an impression on me, that through the great perturbation of mind I was in, I felt my face all on a sudden inflamed, and my eyes were attacked by so violent a heat, that I could hardly find my way home. A few days after there fell upon them two cataracts, which blinded me to such a degree that I could hardly see the light; and since your Holiness's departure I have not been able to do a stroke of work.' Having spoken thus, I rose up and withdrew. I was told that the pope said after I was gone, 'When places of trust are given, discretion is not always conveyed with them. I did not bid the cardinal treat people quite so roughly; if it be true that he has a disorder in his eyes, as I shall know by asking my physician, I shall be inclined to look upon him with an eye of compassion.' There happened to be present a person of distinction, who was a great favorite with the pope, and equally conspicuous for his extraordinary virtues and endowments: having inquired of the pontiff who I was, he added, Holy father, I ask you this, because you appeared to me, in the same breath, to fall into a most violent passion and to be equally affected and softened into pity; so I desire to know who he is. If he be a person deserving of assistance, I'll VOL. II.-12 tell him a secret to cure his disorder.' The pope made answer, 'The person you speak of is one of the greatest geniuses in his way that the world ever produced-when I see you again, I will show you some of his admirable performances, as likewise the man himself; and it will be a great satisfaction to me, if you are able to do him any service.'" The pope was soon after attacked by a fatal disorder. Benvenuto then put on his sword, and repaired to St. Peter's, where he kissed the feet of the deceased pontiff, “and could not refrain from tears." On his way home he fell into a brawl, one of the many in which he was always getting engaged, and the consequences of which proved fatal to his adversary, one Pompeo, a rival in his own profession, who had unfairly decried his works. "Whilst I was sitting here, in the company of several of my friends, Pompeo happened to pass by in the midst of ten armed men, and when he came opposite to the place where I sat, stopped awhile as if he had an intention to begin a quarrel. The brave young men, my friends, were for having me draw directly, but I instantly reflected that by complying with their desire, I could not avoid hurting innocent persons; therefore thought it most advisable to expose none but myself to danger. Pompeo having made a short stop before my door, began to laugh in my face; and when he went off, his comrades fell a laughing likewise, shook their heads and made many gestures in derision, bullying me at a strange rate. My companions were for interposing in the quarrel, but I told them in an angry mood that in my disputes I never had occasion for the help of any champions, and that I knew how · to end them unassisted; so that every man might mind his own business. Mortified at this answer, they went away, muttering to themselves: amongst these was the dearest friend I had in the world, whose name was Albertaccio de Bene, own brother to Allessandro and Albizzo, who now resides at Lyons, and is exceeding wealthy. This Albertaccio del Bene was one of the most surprising young men I ever knew, as intrepid as Cæsar, and one who loved me as he loved himself: he was well aware that my forbearance was not an effect of pusillanimity, but of the most undaunted resolution, which he knew to be one of my distin guishing characteristics; in answer therefore | clared that he would employ nobody else to stamp his coins. When he spoke thus, a gentleman whose name was Signor Latino Giovenale, said that I was obliged to abscond for having killed one Pompeo, a Milanese, in a fray; he then gave an account of the whole affair, putting it in the most favorable light for me that was possible. The pope made answer, 'I never heard of the death of Pompeo, but I have often heard of Benvenuto's provocation; so let a safe-conduct be instantly made out, and that will secure him from all manner of danger.' There happened to be present an intimate friend of Pompeo's, who was likewise a favorite of the pontiff; this was Signor Ambrogio, a native of Milan. This person told his Holiness that it might be of dangerous consequence to grant such favors immediately upon being raised to his new dignity. The pope instantly turning about to him, said, 'You do not understand these matters; I must inform you that men who are masters in their profession, like Benvenuto, should not be subject to the laws; but he less than any other, for I am sensible that he was in the right in the whole affair." to what I said, he begged of me as a favor, that I would indulge him so far as to take him for my companion in any enterprise. To this I replied, "My dearest friend Albertaccio, a time will soon come that I shall have occasion for your assistance; but on the present occasion, if you love me, do not give yourself any concern about me; only mind your own affairs, and quit the place directly, as the rest have done, for we must not trifle away time." These words were uttered in great haste; in the mean time my enemies of the Banchi quarter had walked on slowly towards a place called Chiavica, and reached a cross way where several streets meet; but that in which stood the house of my adversary Pompeo led directly to the Campo di Fiore. Pompeo entered an apothecary's shop at the corner of the Chiavica, about some business, and stayed with him some time. I was told that he had boasted of having bullied me; but it turned out a fatal adventure to him; for just as I arrived at that quarter, he was coming out of the shop, and his bravoes having made an opening, formed a circle round him. I thereupon clapped my hand to a sharp dagger, and having forced my way through the file of ruffians, laid hold of him by the breast so quickly, and with such pre-sent him with a specimen of his skill, and sence of mind, that there was not one of them able to defend him. I pulled him towards me, to give him a blow in front, but he turned his face about through excess of terror, so that I wounded him exactly under the car; and upon repeating my blow, he fell down dead. It had never been my intention to kill him, but only to wound him dangerously, but blows are not always under command. Having pulled back the dagger with my left hand, and drawn my sword with the right, in order to defend myself, when I found that all the ruffians ran up to the dead body, and none of them towards me, or seemed at all disposed to encounter me, I retreated towards the street Julia, revolving within myself whither I could make my escape." Nothing can be more truly edifying than the conduct of the new pope when informed of this untoward business. After a while the Emperor Charles V. made his triumphal entry into Rome, when Benvenuto was chosen by the pope to pre remained for half an hour in conversation with the emperor, which shows, as Vasari observes, "that he knew as well how to speak to princes, as to exert himself in his art." This flattering incident was soon followed by a terrible reverse of fortune. Upon a false charge of having concealed certain jewels intrusted to his care, he was thrown into a dungeon in the Castle of St. Angelo. There the vividness of his imagination, combined with the consciousness of his innocence, soon pictured our Saviour as coming personally to console him for his miseries. After a preliminary vision he observes,— "There appeared a Christ upon the cross formed of the self-same matter as the sun, and so gracious and pleasing was his aspect, that no human imagination could ever form so much as a faint idea of such beauty. As I was contemplating this glorious apparition, "As soon," says Benvenuto, " as this new I cried out aloud, A miracle! a miracle! pontiff had settled other affairs of greater O God! O clemency divine! O goodness inimportance, he inquired after me, and de-finite! what mercies dost thou lavish on me "One holiday I went to the palace immediately after dinner, and entering the hall where the great clock stands, I saw the door of the wardrobe open; as I presented myself, the duke beckoned to me, and with great complaisance addressed me thus: You are welcome to court,' alluding to my name of Benvenuto, "take this little chest, which was sent me as a present by Signor Stephano of Palestrina; open it, and let us see what it contains.' I instantly opened it, and answered the duke: This, my lord, is the figure of a little boy in Greek marble, and is indeed a very extraordinary piece; I don't remember ever having seen amongst the antiques so beautiful a performance, or one of so exquisite a taste; I therefore of fer your excellency to restore its head, arms, and feet; and make an eagle for it, that it may be called a Ganymede: and though it is by no means proper for me to patch up this morning! At the very time that I thus | ence, there to reap fresh triumphs, and to meditated and uttered these words, the engage in fresh disputes. Baccio Bandinello, figure of Christ began to move towards the the celebrated sculptor, was the principal side where the rays were concentered; and object of our Benvenuto's jealousy, and the the middle of the sun swelled and bulged following scene between them, in presence out as at first: the protuber ince having in of the Duke of Florence, is perhaps the creased considerably, was at last converted richest specimen of artists' quarrels on recinto the figure of a beautiful Virgin Mary, ord:who appeared to sit with her Son in her arms in a graceful attitude, and even to smile; she stood between two angels of so divine a beauty, that imagination could not even form an idea of such perfection. I likewise saw in the same sun, a figure dressed in sacerdotal robes; this figure turned its back to me, and looked towards the Blessed Virgin holding Christ in her arms. All these things I clearly and plainly saw, and with a loud voice continued to return thanks to the Almighty. This wonderful phenomenon having appeared before me about eight minutes, vanished from my sight, and I was instantly conveyed back to my couch. I then began to make loud exclamations, crying out thus: It has pleased the Almighty to reveal to me all his glory in a splendor which perhaps no mortal eye ever before beheld; hence I know that I am free, happy, and in favor with God; as for you, unhappy wretches, you will continue in dis-old statues, as that is generally done by a grace with him. Know that I am certain that on All Saints' day, on which I was born in 1500, the night of the first November, exactly at twelve o'clock; know, I say, that on the anniversary of that day you will be obliged to take me out of this dismal cell; for I have seen it with my eyes, and it was prefigured on the throne of God. The priest who looked towards Christ, and had his back turned to me, was St. Peter, who pleaded my cause, and appeared to be quite ashamed that such cruel insults should be offered to Christians in his house. So proclaim it everywhere, that no one has any further power to hurt me, and tell the pope, that if he will supply me with wax or paper to represent the glorious vision sent to me from heaven, I will certainly do it." the sort of bunglers in the business, who acquit themselves very indifferently, the excellence of this great master is such, that it powerfully excites me to do him this piece of service. The duke was highly pleased to find figure had such merit, and asked me several questions about it: Tell me,' said he, Benvenuto, in what precisely consists the extraordinary excellence of this great master, which excites in you such wonder and surprise?' I endeavored the best I could to give him an idea of the extraordinary beauty of the statue, of the great genius, skill, and admirable manner of the artist, conspicuous in his work; topics on which I enlarged a long time, and that with the greater earnestness, as I perceived that his excellency took pleasure in listening to me, Whilst I amused him so agreeably After his release from prison, Benvenuto repaired to the court of the munificent with my conversation, a page happened to Francis I. of France, with whom he became open the door of the wardrobe, and just as a great favorite, but in consequence of his he came out Bandinello entered: the duke, haughty and independent humor, was so seeing him, appeared to be in some dispersecuted by Madame d'Etampes, the king's order, and asked him, with a stern look, mistress, that he at length repaired to Flor- what he was about; Bandinello, without |
