Memoirs of Benvenuto Cellini, a Florentine Artist (Volume 1-2); A Florentine Artist

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1845. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLIV. The Author in his pilgrimage meets with an old alchymist of Bagno, who makes a discovery to him of some mines of gold and silver, and gives him a map, which shows a dangerous pass into the duke's country --He returns with it to the duke, who makes him great acknowledgments for his zeal.-- Difference between him and the duke about the value of his Perseus and Medusa.--It is referred to the arbitration of Girolamo degli Albizi.--Fresh dispute between Cellini and the duke, in which Bandinello and the duchess interpose.--The Author is employed to erect two pulpits in the choir of S. Maria del Fiore, and adorn them with basso rilievo figures in bronze. I Left Florence incessantly singing psalms and saying prayers to the honor and glory of God, during the whole journey, in which I had great pleasure, as it was then summer, and the weather very fine: so pleased was I with the country, in which I had never travelled before, that my delight proved equal to my wonder. My guide was a young man from the baths of Santa Maria, who worked in my shop, and whose name was Ceesar. I met with a very kind reception at the baths from his father and the whole family, amongst whom was an old man above seventy, a very agreeable companion: he was by profession a physician and surgeon, and had a smattering of alchymy. This worthy man proved to me that the bath contained mines of gold and silver, and showed me several curiosities in that country: so that I never in my life enjoyed greater pleasure than in his society. Being at last grown familiar with me, he told me one day, that he could not help communicating to me a thought of his, which, if his excellency would attend to us, he believed would turn highly to our advantage; what he meant was, that near Camaldoli there was ...