The New York herald., 1875-09-12

The year 1925 was reached, and artistic ques-
tons merged in political strife. The Popo
fugitive Rome sacked Florence more in revolt
against the Medc freedom restored for short
glorious final moment Michael Angelo at work in
the sacrisy Of san Lorenzo for he lends the key to
certain Pero Gondi who various articles which he
wishes TO conceal Bandineh had ned with the Medici
aud the much disputed block Of marble Is awarded by
the gonfaoniere men to Michael Angelo He made
model for the Hercules and Cacus, which is now the
Kensington Museum Tho sculptor never touched
the stone which, by the Medici, their return,
was restored TO Bandinei. And meanwhile
matters We're coming to crisis Pope
Clement was resolved TO rensate his family
with without foreign aid; the liberals for
French alliance; Capponi the gonfalonere, half weak,
half treacherous, hesitaled opened negotiations with
the Pope. From the first he, and Michael Angelo who
appointed superintendent OF the fortihcatons OF
Florence and tho chief cities Of the province,
issue. While the "head architect and engineer at
Pisa, Leghorn or Areggo the works he had ordered
! suspended and sometimes destroyed; and as i'll
fate would have it, Maalesta Baglione -commander-in-
chief Of the Forentine arnyarchtrator he proved
in the endwas even more opposed than Cappon to the
| desperately y-serious deiences that the
PATRIOTISM ANGELO u
dictated For days and nights he lived a his watch
tower OF San Miniato, inspiring tho peasants
moned to the works with his zeal and his fellow
citizens with his abnegaton Florence, he knew
ghtng her last battle Tor ibery-nay life itself
against such tremendous foes the Pope and the Ger
man Emperor allied with but dubious aid from the
Duke Of Ferrara tho Republic Venice. The docu
OF the time prove the great importance attached
by the governors OF the different cities, TO Michael An
gelo's presence Tosghi, Governor General wrote let
days. saying that 1t is OF Eek
ceeding necessity that Michael Angelo visits the ca-
| dot tha of hat ho de-
eide the works to be undertaken on the Arno."
| Now it is curious that with such pressing matter
hand home that In July he should have been sent by
| the Council of Ten to visit the fortincatons and art
lery and ammunition of the Duke of Ferrara.
4 Michael Angelo himself told Busini that he believed
| it was a of Capponi get HIM of the
way that the works of San Minlato which he
deemed essential the safety of the city and which
Capponi had declared useless, might be suspended.
However, he obeyed taken the fortilcaons by
the Duke himself declined the invitation Of the Flor
entne Ambassador Galeotto Giugni to remain in his
house and returned in the month to find that by
Capponi's orders his bastions had been dismantled.
Moreover Maatesa's treachery openly talked Of the
soldiers murmured and patriotic citizens discussed the
critical situation in fear and trembling Michael Angelo
| with his usual blunt frankness straight to the
Signoria and told them all that he had and heard
Instead of thanking him they answered him dis
| u
timid and too suspicious This fact alone would
suffice explain his second departure from the city of
which much has been said and written, his
accusing him OF cowardly fight and basest treachery
! his friends and partsans in modem times
DENYING, PALIIATfNG, DIsToRTING HISTORICAL TRUTH
to defend him. Given the character of the and the
circumstances in which he found himself his work de
| molshed his counsels dsregarded himself insuted it
would be surprising had he acted otherwise. On the
20th of the month safe conduct sent to him.
He returned IN time to his beloved tower.
But while the Florentines could hold their own
against the triple foes without there possibility
of countcracting the treachery within the 26th of
January 1880, the supreme command of the city was
given Malatesta by his infatuated fellow citizens
Mario and Michael Angelo and other clearsghted pa
riots exchanged their convictions, but
RESOLVED TO DIE AT THEIR
Michael Angelo to dull the pain, employed his
leisure hours which were but too many, his stat
ues and also commenced the painting of "Leda and
the Swan" Until Terruccio was betrayed his
doom all hope not lost When he too succumbed
none lived who could thwart Maatesta his fell de-
signs Instantly, though Terrucco died victorious he
sent to treat with Clement for the return of the
Medci and the sth of August they returned, and
the three centuries of slavery and degradation which
Italy succumbed may be dated from that hour. The
citizens who had taken the foremost part against the
Medic left the city. Michael concealed himself in the
tower of St Nccolo the foot of San Mineao. Even
for this he has been reproached as if
there would have been any or COM
mon sense in exposing himself to the vengeance
of his enemies just when Malatesta curry favor with
the Pope, had handed over to him the Dominican monk
who had excited the people to rebellion. But
the Pope was a Medici and the Medic wanted their
sacristy finished and coaxed him from his hiding place
In his studio he poured all his grief and rage his
work In few months he completed his "Night and
Day" his g Dacore and Twilight"
That grief and work nearly killed him at this time
know from a letter written by Antonio Muco to Boccio
Valori which describes him ''thin and emacIated
overworkng eating little and sleeping less, suffering
from rheumatism headache and giddiness If he be
allowed work the cold, damp sacristy there will
be an end of him" Muco was sure then he is ill in
heart well head for the Rovere the heirs of
Julius were clamoring for their monument. accusing
him of having received the money without giving its
equivalent Yet, without the Popes permission he
would not quit Florence Hc sent his dear godson,
Sebastian del Piombo, then great man. with fresh pro-
posas be laid before the Pope Sebastian placed the
before the Pope and Clement allowed the scup-
tor to visit Rome though reluctantly. The accounts
were gone into there and it proved that Michael
Angelo only received 900 ducats of 900
the Revere heirs of Julius asserted Again. fresh
tract agreed upon and then Clement insisted upon
Angco's return TO Florence to finish the sacrsty But,
the 25tn of September, 1884, Pope Clement died and
Alexandria the bastard Medci became Duke Florence
Michael Angelo detesed the Duke; but the latter
who returned the dislike, still had need for him.
Nothing would suit the tyrant but fortress from
which he could point guns against the people crushed
but, as yet, all unresigned. lie his General,
viteli, to offer Michael Angelo the commission and
request him to survey the city, In company with
himself
NoN vENco, IL SHALL NOT conn.,
all tho answer that the defender OF San Munato
vouchsafed The commission given to the nephew
of San Gallo. In the year Q53l) Bandinelli's IS
Hercules was set up opposite Michael Angelo's
"David." The great sculptor went to Rome with tho
hrmest intention Of combating the Mansoleam; but