New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-15


see other people wear. L had rather be W." vx5ss
out it,
Many a noble lady Of the Renaissance -,
to her man OF business in this vein but few -
sessed IsabeIIa's discernment when IL cam -
the quality Of the things sought Few r.
over, carried. as she carried the ardor 4, =,
accumulation OF materials for personal 81
ment into the collecting OF books. pictures So.
uary and all manner Of artistic creations TT
biography Is studded with the names a, =,
masters. and some Of the most interesting -
sages in her correspondence relate to her efro-.-
to add this or that painting or marble or M
script to her store. Leonardo drew her port-,t.
and Titan Mantegna and other great naf,,.-'
performed the same service FOR her. She 49,
the palace at Mantua one OF the wonder nt.o.-
Of Europe and she moved through ia =
splendent chambers no mere hOarder OF MT.
less things, but a more than intelligent Io,.- :.
them. cOnnoisseUr whose judgments wa-.
taken seriously BY all the celebrated men ,s-
worked for her. reader In whom scholars -
poets found perfect sympathy She was. in =,
sence. materialist: splritueIIe at the mos,
never lowered with high spiritual ideals or n,
sight. and therefore with nothing profou,5 :
her nature But with her brains her bea,,, .
her administrative gifts. and her preference -.
ipiS-AOE iii lLLL 5le " dS wiling n
done perfdy or coarseness in others-sbs -,
not only charm. but dignity
Her sister Beatrice. who was married n ros.
vicO Sforza, known as II Moro. later Duke a,
Milan. does not impose herself upon the 80
nation with the same force. but she Is in bs-
way. almost more engaging That is IN saw
that where Isabella is stately. Beatrice ia -.
lessly enchanting. She. too was the centre - g.,
RI bodv Of
while she had elements Of strength in bs-
nature. and in one crisis supported her bus-
bands interests with judgment and a proud d.
meanOr before the powers at Venice. she seems
always Of tenderer stuff than her puissant kinq
woman Of Nantua. There Is a pathos. ton in
her history which is very touching II Morn
was stern partner for such a volatile maiden
and his infdelities bruised her as a flower ia
bruised under ruthless heel Yet il is in
portant to remember in reading her biograpby
in reading Isabella's. that even the most fas-
tidious women Of the Renaissance were Injured
to hardy ways. Beatrice might bewau the
profigacy Of her lord. but 10 did not make her
wholly and irremediably unhappy. Her court
wrote her secretary, was composed OF mer Of
talent and distinction, most OF whom were poets
and musicians" But she did not disdain the
rough amusements Of the MiIanese mobiles, and
the FerrareSe ambassador. talking OF her par
ticipation in certain sports says: The two
duchesse5 have been having a sparring match,
and the Duke of Barfs wife has knocked down
her Of Milan She was fond OF practical jokes.
and was in raptures when her brother disguised
himself and. with assistance. tore one Of Lodo-
vico's ministers from his house at midEl sht and
led him blindfOlIed on a donkey through the
streets into the CASTILLO. where he was released
amid peals Of laughter" II Moro himself be-
fore he had obtained the dukedom. wrote TO Isa-
bella in this wise
There is literally end to the pleasures and
which We have here. / could not
tell you One-thOUsaudth part of the tricks and
wife indulge. In the country they spent their
time in riding races and SaLOplng up behind
their ladies at full speed, 70 make them
fall of their horses. And now that we are
back here in Milan. they are always inventlnS
some new forms of amusement. They started
Of their ladies. wearing cloths or towels over
their heads, and walked through the streets OF
the city to buy provisions. But since 1t is not
the custom for women to wear cloths on their
heads here, some of the women in the street
began to laugh at them and make rude remarks.
upon which my wife fired up and replied in
the same manner, so mucn that they almost
came to blows In the end they came home all
muddy and bedraEgled, and were fine sight.
1 believe. when your hishness is here. they
Will go out with all the more courage, since
they Will have in you bold and spirited a
COmrade and if any one dares to be rude to
you. they VIII get back as good as they give
IsabeIla's story has a Kind OF pomp and mai
esty. Beatrices, though not lacking in spl=udor.