f the
_osterie_ by the Porta San Gallo, and other similar taverns.

Florentine of the Florentines, he loved tricks and jokes, and was never
tired of making fun at the expense of others: be it said, too, he knew
how to take as well as give. An amusing story is told of him: being at
Pisa, he chanced to see among the students of the University--which, by
the way, he was instrumental in re-establishing and re-endowing--a
youth who squinted. He remarked with a laugh: "That lad should easily be
the head of his class!" When questioned as to his meaning, he replied
jocosely: "Because he will read at the same time both pages of his book,
and so will learn double!"

Entering thus unostentatiously into the lives and habits of his
fellow-citizens, it was perfectly natural that he should gain their
esteem, friendship, and loyal support. He soon became out and away the
most popular man in Florence, notwithstanding the unworthy sneer of that
ill-conditioned and self-opinionated monk, Girolamo Savonarola.
"Lorenzo," he muttered, "occupies the people with feasts and shows in
order that they may think more of their own amusement than of his
ambitions."

Lorenzo was under no delusion with respect to the permanence, in a more
or less subjective degree, of the spirit of revolt which had rendered
his father's succession to the Headship of the Republic difficult. The
very men who had, for their own ends, misguided Piero, of course were no
longer powerful--such at least of them as were still alive were in
banishment; but their sons and their adjoints were ready enough to
question his authority.

Swiftly enough, Lorenzo took the measures of these men, and prepared to
counteract their opposition. Naturally he sought the counsel of Domina
Lucrezia, than whom nobody understood better the men of Florence, their
manners and their moods. Long and serious were the deliberations of
mother and son. With her pregnant assistance he roughed out a scheme, so
warily conceived and so faithfully elaborated, that, on its presentation
to the Lords of the Signory, it was accepted almost unanimously.

This measure touched citizens in their tenderest spot,--pride and love
of display,--for it proclaimed the appointment of the leading _Signori_
as ambassadors to foreign courts and communes. The one great absorbing
ambition of all prominent Florentines was, through all their history, to
head a foreign mission, with all its honours and emoluments.

With infinite