CHAPTER III. HOUSE AND FAMILY OF THE MEDICI. The Medici as Collectors and Art Patrons—Wealth of the House of Medici—Traders and their Purchases—The Garden and Casino of San Marco—The Villas of the Medici—Poggio a Cajano—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Mode of Life—Meal-times—Grandeur and Simplicity—Visit of Count Eberhard of Würtemberg—Horses and Races—Hawking—Visits to Pisa—Agnano and other Estates—Journeys to the Baths—The Baths of San Filippo and Vignone—Love Affairs—Bartolommeo Nasi Benci—Embassies and Presents of the Egyptian Sultan—Festal Reception of Travellers—Companions and Friends at Home—Lorenzo de’ Medici in Confidential Intercourse—Musical Entertainments—Antonio degli Organi—Music and Poetry—Piero and Alfonsina Orsini de’ Medici—Lorenzo’s Daughters—Homely Appearance—Lorenzo in Jest and in Earnest 366 CHAPTER IV. GIOVANNI DE’ MEDICI’S CARDINALSHIP. Innocent VIII. and Franceschetto Cybò—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Intercession for Franceschetto—Giovanni de’ Medici and Church Benefices—The Abbeys of Passignano and Monte Cassino—The Dignity of Cardinal—Giovanni Lanfredini—Lorenzo’s Impatience at the Pope’s Hesitation—Giovanni de’ Medici created Cardinal—Rejoicings in Florence—Lorenzo’s Thanksgiving—Impression made by the Nomination—Death of Giovanni Lanfredini—Canonisation of Archbishop Antoninus 394 CHAPTER V. ISSUE OF THE CONTEST BETWEEN INNOCENT VIII. AND FERRANTE OF ARAGON. King Ferrante’s Behaviour towards the Pope—Niccolò Orsini as Papal Captain-General—Lorenzo de’ Medici on the Quarrel between Pope and King—Position of Milan and Venice—The Pope’s Proceedings against the King—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Proposals—The Pope on the Interference of Foreign Powers—Ferrante’s Opposition to an Alliance—French Propositions to the Pope—Innocent VIII.’s Complaints of the King—Innocent VIII. and Foreign Countries—Giovanni Pentano on the Agreement of 1486—Neapolitan Proposals for a Treaty—Peace between the Pope and Naples—French Affairs—King Ferrante’s Family Troubles—Gian Galeazzo Sforza and Ludovico il Moro—Breach between Alfonso of Arragon and il Moro—Neapolitan Embassy to Milan 408 CHAPTER VI. OPPOSITION TENDENCIES. FRA GIROLAMO SAVONAROLA. Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Clergy—Girolamo Savonarola in his Youth—Savonarola’s first Residence in Florence—Fra Mariano of Genazzano and the Monastery of San Gallo—Fra Mariano and Lorenzo de’ Medici—Fra Mariano as Preacher—Savonarola’s increasing Zeal for Teaching—Savonarola as Preacher—Francesco Guicciardini on Savonarola’s Influence—The Philosophers and the Monks—Representations of the Medici Circle concerning Savonarola—Savonarola’s Excesses—Savonarola and Fra Mariano 425 CHAPTER VII. THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GIOVANNI DE’ MEDICI’S CARDINALSHIP.