Note 1. These were the special patrons of the Medicean family, being physician-saints. Note 2. 'Che mi fermassi una provvisione.' Note 3. The 'giulio' was a coin of 56 Italian centimes or 8 Tuscan 'crazie,' which in Florence was also called 'barile' or 'gabellotto,' because the sum had to be paid as duty on a barrel of wine. Note 4. See above, p. 120, for the right meaning of wardrobe. Note 5. Messer Francesco of Lucca, surnamed Il Pretino. Note 6. Margaret of Austria, natural daughter of Charles V., was eventually married in 1536 to Alessandro de’ Medici. Note 7. Pietro Pagolo Galleotti, much praised by Vasari for his artistic skill. Note 8. Perhaps Bernardo Sabatini. Note 9. This is the famous Tuscan Brutus who murdered Alessandro. He was descended from Lorenzo de’ Medici, the brother of Cosimo, 'Pater Patriæ,' and the uncle of Lorenzo the Magnificent. LXXXI IT happened at this time Ottaviano de’ Medici, [1] who to all appearances had got the government of everything in his own hands, favoured the old Master of the Mint against the Duke’s will. This man was called Bastiano Cennini, an artist of the antiquated school, and of little skill in his craft. [2] Ottaviano mixed his stupid dies with mine in the coinage of crown-pieces. I complained of this to the Duke, who, when he saw how the matter stood, took it very ill, and said to me: “Go, tell this to Ottaviano de’ Medici, and show him how it is.” [3] I lost no time; and when I had pointed out the injury that had been done to my fine coins, he answered, like the donkey that he was: “We choose to have it so.” I replied that it ought not to be so, and that I did not choose to have it so. He said: “And if the Duke likes to have it so?” I answered: “It would not suit me, for the thing is neither just nor reasonable.” He told me to take myself off, and that I should have no swallow it in this way, even if I burst. Then I returned to the Duke, and related the whole unpleasant conversation between Ottaviano de’ Medici and me, entreating his Excellency not to allow the fine coins which I had made for him to be spoiled, and begging for permission to leave Florence. He replied: “Ottaviano is too presuming: you shall have what you want; for this is an injury offered to myself.”