For this undertaking Benvenuto chose Tribolo as his coadjutor, and therein he showed much judgment, since it was from Tribolo that the first suggestion for the making of such a plan had proceeded,[1] he perceiving the importance thereof for the more minutely considering the height of the mountains, the depth of the valleys, and all other particulars relating to salient points, with which it is above all things essential that those engaged in military expeditions should be made acquainted. Nor wTas this a work to be performed without vast labour and infinite peril, since they were compelled to remain outside the gates of the city, all through the nights, measuring the roads, and ascertaining the exact number of braccia between one place and another, with the heights and levels of the summits of all the churches and and towers: measuring, in short, on all sides by aid of the compasses. They had chosen the Cupola of Santa Maria as their central point, and had to discover the relation borne thereto by all the surrounding heights; all which they could not effect without the lapse of many months; but, using great diligence, they finally accomplished the whole with great care and exactitude.
For the sake of lightness this model was made of cork, and was restricted within the limit of four braccia, each separate part being measured in exact proportion. And thus was finished this plan of the city and its neighbourhood, which being so made as to admit of its being taken to pieces, was packed up carefully and conveyed secretly out of Florence, in the centre of certain bales of wool which were going to Perugia, where the model was consigned to those who had received orders to transmit the same to the Pope.[2]
- ↑ Bottari remarks that Tribolo proved himself a good master and most able architect in this work, but the Churchman questions, as he well may, whether he proved himself an equally good citizen: nor will our readers be at any loss for a reply. Another Italian commentator remarks that Michael Angelo would certainly not have offered such a suggestion, or undertaken the commission consequent on its acceptance.
- ↑ Have we not here an instance of the effects not unfrequently resulting from a divided allegiance? for is it to be supposed that Florentines would so readily have betrayed their country for any but the head of their religion, their spiritual chief, to whom it may be fairly supposed that they considered themselves more sacredly bound than to their temporal ruler? Let us hope that they would not have done this for any lighter motive,
