Girolamo Riario in Imola and Forlì—Death of Girolamo Riario—Catarina Riario Sforza—Disturbances in Forlì—Forlì remains in the Possession of the Riarii—Dispute about Piancaldoli—Conflicting Interests in the Affairs of Romagna—Dissatisfaction against Milan—Faenza and the Manfredi—Murder of Galeotto Manfredi—Revolt in Faenza—Lorenzo de’ Medici and Giovanni Bentivoglio, and the Disturbances in Faenza—Caterina Riario Sforza—Unhappy State of Affairs in the Romagna—Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Neighbouring States—Piombino and Siena—State of Parties in Siena—Lorenzo de’ Medici and Siena—Lorenzo de’ Medici and Lucca—The Connection of Città di Castello and Perugia—Franceschetto Cybò in Perugia—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Opinion of Affairs in Perugia—Victory of the Baglioni Faction in Perugia—Violence of the Factions—Affairs of Ascoli—The Papal Authority and the Jealousy of Neighbouring States—The Orsini in connection with the Pope and Naples—Gentil Virginio and Niccolò Orsini 294 SIXTH BOOK. _LATER YEARS OF LORENZO DE’ MEDICI’S LIFE._ CHAPTER I. FLORENTINE STATE AFFAIRS. MATTERS PUBLIC AND FINANCIAL ABOUT 1490. The Ruling Party and Old Enemies—Albizzi, Soderini, Pazzi—Francesco Guicciardini’s Description of Florentine Affairs—Alessandro de’ Pazzi on the Position of Lorenzo de’ Medici—Progressive Personal Authority—Supplications and Recommendations—Alessandro Farnese—Requests and Compliments of Foreign Princes—Friends and Dependants of the Medicis—Giovanni Lanfredini—Lorenzo’s Behaviour towards his Dependants—The Gonfalonier Neri Cambi—Weakness of the Administration—Committees for the Choice of Magistrates and for Finance—Reform of the Coinage and Currency—Finance of the Medicis—Losses of the Banks—Employment of Public Moneys—Institution for the Dowry of Daughters—Reduction of the Payments of the Institution—The Bank in Lyons, and Philippe de Commines—Commines’ Last Letter to Lorenzo de’ Medici 317 CHAPTER II. LIFE IN FLORENCE. Benedetto Dei’s Comparison of Florence and Venice—Description of Florence in the latter Part of the Fifteenth Century—Industry and Trade—Interest on Money and Money-Lenders—Mode of Life of the Higher Classes—Splendour of Festivities—Benedetto Salutati’s Banquet at Naples—Life in Florence—Town and Villa—Amusements—Athletic Exercises—Hunting—Plays—Religious Representations and Processions—The Potenza and its Growth—Carnavals and Parades—Reaction against Carnavals—Historical and Mythological Processions—Bartolommeo Benci’s Carnaval Procession—Buffoonery—Piovano Arlotto—The Fat Carpenter—Good and Bad of the Social Condition—Benedetto Varchi’s Description of the People of Florence—System of Family Life—Distinguished Women—Knighthood—Cavalieri di Popolo—The Embassies—Splendour of Embassies in the Fifteenth Century 338