elancholy end of this scheme is told in a Ricordo in the Archivio
Buonarroti, March 10, 1520.

"Now Pope Leo, perhaps, to carry out more quickly the
above-mentioned facade of San Lorenzo than according to the
agreement he made with me, and I consenting, sets me free, and for
all the above-said money that I have received, are counted the
road that I have made to Pietra Santa, and the marbles that were
quarried there and rough-hewn as may be seen to-day; and he
declares himself content and satisfied with me, as is said, about
all the money received for the said facade of San Lorenzo, and
every other work that I have had to do for him until this tenth
day of March, 1519; and so he leaves me my freedom, and not
obliged to render account to any one for anything that I have had
to do for him or with others for him."(123)

We have a series of most interesting letters from Sebastiano del Piombo,
Michael Angelo's favourite gossip in Rome; most of them are dated from
1520 to 1533, and give Michael Angelo at Carrara news of Sebastiano and
the art world of Rome, They often relate to designs that Sebastiano wished
to get from Michael Angelo in order that he might be entrusted with
commissions from the Pope that would otherwise be given to the scholars of
Raphael. In one, dated October 27, 1520, he says:--

"For I know how much the Pope values you, and when he speaks of
you it is as if he were speaking of his own brother, almost with
tears in his eyes; for he has told me that you were brought up
together, and shows that he knows and loves you. But you frighten
everybody, even Popes!"(124)

Michael Angelo seems to have taken exception to the remark, for Sebastiano
in his next letter but one says:--

"As to what you reply to me about your terribleness, I for my part
do not find you terrible; and if I have not written to you about
this, do not wonder, for you do not appear to me terrible except
only in art--that is to say, the greatest master that has ever
been; so it seems to me if I am in error I am to blame. I have no
more to say. Christ keep you safe. 9th day of November, 1520.
Remember me to friend Leonardo and to Master Pier Francesco.

"Your most faithful gossip,

"BASTIANO, Painter, in Rome.

"The Lord Michael Angelo de Bonarotis, the most worthy sculptor,
Floren