Yesterday I had a letter from thee. The things thou wantest shall all be sent by the first man going to Volterra. Cosimo continues to improve; he has not been very ill this time, although the fever has not yet left him, but it is slight. Thy shoes were ready, but they have made them black, so others must be made, and I will send them by the first messenger. We have not yet heard of the arrival of our party, but one who met them on the road says they were well: as soon as I hear I will let thee know. Although I told thee we paid too much for the pigs, I want thee to send us a pig or a roe for Christmas, if they are offered to thee; if we have to buy them we will not have them. Messer Rosello writes that he is coming to pass Christmas with me, and has sent Cosimo a fine cloak of Polish fashion of marten and sable, a pair of gloves, and the tooth of a fish a foot and a half long. As we have to prepare for the festival of the Three Kings, they will make a little change from my cloth of gold. The plague affects us but little. For three days out of four during the week no one mentions it, they are all people one does not know. I should be so glad to know how thou art, and whether thou art better or worse since thy departure. Thy return, when it takes place, will be a great joy to me. Antonio degl’ Strozzi has been to see me, and pestered me much about that business: he wants to come here for Christmas, tell him what thou thinkest; and so be he says that I promised him anything do not believe it, for he could learn nothing from me: so be cautious how thou dealest with him. Tell the women I do not write because there is a dearth of writers until Mateo returns from Rome, he ought to be here to-morrow. Salute them from me, and say many things, and caress the children and kiss them for love of me; if the women want anything I can send, tell me. No more at present. God guard thee. Mona Contessina in Florence.[58] Contessina de’ Medici _to her son_ Giovanni _at Volterra_ In the name of God on the 3rd day of January 1450 (1451). Most dear Son,---I only write this because for several days I have not had a letter, and because I thought Antonio degl’ Strozzi was coming back, and from him I might have heard news of thee. But Michele has been here, and says that since Friday thou hast been expecting the party from Rome. So I write to tell thee that it is impossible they could arrive because they were expected at Siena that evening. By now they ought to be with thee; if they are do not fail to tell us how they fare, for Roberto wrote to Cosimo that they left last Friday. If they come here we shall send thee word. No more at present. Christ protect thee. Written in haste. Mona Contessina in Florence.[59] _The Same to the Same_ In the name of God on the 5th day of January 1450 (1451).