The Duchess had, however, other than quasi-patriotic duties to perform,
for, in 1542, she again became the mother of a little daughter--Isabella
Romola they called her, in compliment to beloved Spain. She was, like
Francesco, a healthy child, and she was fair, as "playful as a kitten,"
and thoroughly Medici in temperament.

Cosimo busied himself in peaceful pursuits. He greatly encouraged the
arts and crafts, and set on foot sagacious reformation of the conditions
and activities of the great Trade Guilds. The College of Science was due
to his patronage; and, in 1540, he extended his special protection to
the Florentine Academy--whence sprang the still more famous Accademia
della Crusca.

Still due regard was paid to the exigencies of political peace and the
maintenance of safeguards, Throughout Tuscany Cosimo raised forts and
works of defence. All the more important towns were fortified, and
entrenched camps and bastions were erected at San Martino in Mugello,
and at Terra del Sole. He kept his hand upon the pulse of Florence: no
slackening of restraint was possible. The men who had acclaimed him in
1537 were quite capable of crying out for his supersession at any time.
Fickle indeed were the Florentines ever, but in Cosimo they had a master
who would not let them go.

The Duke's family was growing fast, and each year as it passed gave him
a precious hostage to love and to fortune. The Duchess, in 1543, brought
forth her fourth child, another boy, called Giovanni, after his
grandfather, and in honour of good St John the Baptist, the patron saint
of Florence. Lucrezia followed in 1544, and then there came and went in
1545 and 1546 Antonio and Piero. Garzia was born in 1547. A year sped
by, and in 1549, Ernando or Ferdinando, made his appearance and then
came a barren season, and when, perhaps, it had been concluded that the
Duchess had ceased child-bearing, came a great surprise, one more little
son, in 1554, Piero was his name.

Meanwhile, Maria had been growing fast along with her many brothers and
sisters. At the age of eight or nine she was an attractive little
damsel. "Tall for her age, with a face not only pretty, but
intelligent, and as merry and as full of life as was possible. Her broad
forehead was indicative of more than ordinary mental power." Her thirst
for knowledge and her power of acquisition delighted her doting father
and mother.

Maria was reared with all the care that love and hope could inspi