The journal of Montaigne's travels in Italy by way of Switzerland and Germany in 1580 and 1581, Volume 2 (of 3)Montaigne, Michel de
History
The journal of Montaigne's travels in Italy by way of Switzerland and Germany in 1580 and 1581, Volume 2 (of 3)
Montaigne, Michel de
Germany -- Description and travel; Italy -- Description and travel; Switzerland -- Description and travel
[134] She was the daughter of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who,
according to the current saying in Rome, had made the three most
beautiful things in the city: the Palazzo Farnese, the Church of the
Gesù, and La bella Clelia. After the death of her husband in 1585,
she gave occasion for scandal on account of her connection with
the Cardinal dei Medici and Alfonso Vitelli. Her father ultimately
compelled her to marry Marco Pio of Savoy, who was ten years her
junior. The marriage was an unhappy one.
[135] Probably a misprint for Noirmôutier.
[136] Orte. The foundations of the present bridge are the work of
Augustus; the more recent portions having been built by Sixtus V.
[137] He had invited Montaigne to dine with him at his villa near
Porto. See page 128.
[138] It is strange that Montaigne, with his partiality for artificial
waterworks, should leave the Falls of Terni unnoticed.
[139] L’Angeloni, in his _Storia di Terni_ (Pisa, 1878), describes a
figure of Neptune found in some excavations near Lago Velino with the
following inscription:--
Neptuno Sacrum
L. Valerius Nigri Lib. Menander
Portitor Ocrisiva.
He also gives the inscription mentioned by Montaigne:--
A. Pompejo A. F.
Clu. Q. Patrono
Municipi Interamnat.
Nahartis quod ejus
Opera universum
Municipium ex summis
Periculis et Difficultatibus
expeditum
et conservatum est ex
Testamento L. Licini T. F.
Statua statuta est.
[140] Petrino was one of the most celebrated brigands of the
cinquecento. He began his career about 1577, and for several years
afterwards kept in terror the duchy of Spoleto and the south of
Umbria. He was active in these parts as late as 1581. His death and
capture were several times reported, but he seems to have escaped to
Spain, where he lived until 1640, and returned under the favour of the
Farnesi. He died at an advanced age in 1650.
Brigandage was rife throughout the papal territories at this time.
Gregory XIII. was on bad terms with all his neighbours on account of
his arrogance and extortions, and the Florentines and Venetians allowed
the bandits to take refuge in their dominions when pressed by the papal
forces. It is strange that Montaigne should have had so little to say
about it.
[141] Sainte Foix, in Périgord, close to Montaigne’s home.
[142] Now the department of Lot-et-Garonne. Matteo Bandello had held
the bishopric of Agen until a few years before this time.
[143] The Palazzo dei Diamanti, now the Pinacoteca, built for
Sigismondo d’Este in 1493. The building alluded to by Montaigne is
probably the Palazzo Mignardi.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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