with
the Florentine people. Upon this occasion the city witnessed an
unprecedented exhibition; for, during Lent, when the church commands us
to abstain from animal food, the Milanese, without respect for either
God or his church, ate of it daily. Many spectacles were exhibited in
honor of the duke, and among others, in the temple of Santo Spirito,
was represented the descent of the Holy Ghost among the apostles; and
in consequence of the numerous fires used upon the occasion, some of the
woodwork became ignited, and the church was completely destroyed by the
flames. Many thought that the Almighty being offended at our misconduct,
took this method of signifying his displeasure. If, therefore, the duke
found the city full of courtly delicacies, and customs unsuitable to
well-regulated conduct, he left it in a much worse state. Hence the good
citizens thought it necessary to restrain these improprieties, and made
a law to put a stop to extravagance in dress, feasts, and funerals.

In the midst of this universal peace, a new and unexpected disturbance
arose in Tuscany. Certain citizens of Volterra had discovered an
alum-mine in their district, and being aware of the profit derivable
from it, in order to obtain the means of working and securing it, they
applied to some Florentines, and allowed them to share in the profits.
This, as is frequently the case with new undertakings, at first excited
little attention from the people of Volterra; but in time, finding
the profits derived from it had become considerable, they fruitlessly
endeavored to effect what at first might have been easily accomplished.
They began by agitating the question in their councils, declaring it
grossly improper that a source of wealth discovered in the public lands
should be converted to the emolument of private individuals. They
next sent advocates to Florence, and the question was referred to the
consideration of certain citizens, who, either through being bribed by
the party in possession, or from a sincere conviction, declared the
aim of the people of Volterra to be unjust in desiring to deprive their
citizens of the fruit of their labor; and decided that the alum-pit was
the rightful property of those who had hitherto wrought it; but, at
the same time, recommended them to pay an annual sum by way of
acknowledgment to the city. This answer instead of abating, served only
to increase the animosities and tumult in Volterra, and absorbed entire
attent