through the mountains, breaking down rocks with hammers and pickaxes
to obtain a level, and sinking piles in the marshy places; and there
Michelagnolo spent many years in executing the wishes of the Pope.
Finally five columns of the proper size were excavated, one of which
is on the Piazza di S. Lorenzo in Florence, and the others are on the
sea-shore. And for this reason the Marchese Alberigo, who saw his
business ruined, became the bitter enemy of Michelagnolo, who was not
to blame. Michelagnolo, in addition to these columns, excavated many
other marbles there, which are still in the quarries, abandoned there
for more than thirty years. But at the present day Duke Cosimo has
given orders for the road to be finished, of which there are still two
miles to make over very difficult ground, for the transportation of
these marbles, and also a road from another quarry of excellent marble
that was discovered at that time by Michelagnolo, in order to be able
to finish many beautiful undertakings. In the same district of
Seravezza he discovered a mountain of variegated marble that is very
hard and very beautiful, below Stazema, a village in those mountains;
where the same Duke Cosimo has caused a paved road of more than four
miles to be made, for conveying the marble to the sea.

But to return to Michelagnolo: having gone back to Florence, he lost
much time now in one thing and now in another. And he made at that
time for the Palace of the Medici a model for the knee-shaped windows
of those rooms that are at the corner, where Giovanni da Udine adorned
the chamber in stucco and painting, which is a much extolled work; and
he caused to be made for them by the goldsmith Piloto, but under his
own direction, those jalousies of perforated copper, which are
certainly admirable things. Michelagnolo consumed many years in
quarrying marbles, although it is true that while they were being
excavated he made models of wax and other things for the work. But
this undertaking was delayed so long, that the money assigned by the
Pope for the purpose was spent on the war in Lombardy; and at the
death of Leo the work was left unfinished, nothing being accomplished
save the laying of a foundation in front to support it, and the
transportation of a large column of marble from Carrara to the Piazza
di S. Lorenzo.

[Illustration: MADONNA AND CHILD

(_After =Michelagnolo=. Florence: New Sacristy of S. Lorenzo_)

_Anderson_]

The death of Leo com