shed than a consecrated prelate."
As a set-off to this discourteous reply to Pius, the Duke, whilst at
Pisa, founded the military order of San Stefano, as a thank-offering for
the subjugation of Siena, much after the pattern of the Knights of
Malta--constituting himself Grand Master and the Cardinal, Chancellor.

Giovanni actually undertook his duties as Archbishop by granting letters
of appointment to benefices within his diocese. One is dated 24th
October, 1562, and was addressed to the Bishop of Arezzo, about the
presentation to a certain abbey which had become vacant upon the death
of Cardinal della Cueva.

It was at this period that Pius wrote to Duke Cosimo, suggesting a
matrimonial alliance between the Duke's eldest son, Don Francesco,--who
was undertaking a princely tour of the chief European Courts for the
double purpose of making himself known personally to the various
Sovereigns, and of looking out for a suitable consort,--and the Princess
Maria Garzia of Portugal. The proposition was backed up by an offer of
the kingly title to the Duke. Both propositions fell to the ground, but
Pius, in his eagerness to render the Duke of Florence homage, and to
prove his gratitude, asked his acceptance, for his young son Garzia, of
the command of a Papal ship of war.

Garzia, the third of Duke Cosimo's surviving sons, was born on 1st July,
1547. His baptism, for some unknown reason, was delayed three years, and
not until 29th June, 1550, was he held at the ancient font in the
Battisterio di San Giovanni, having for his sponsor Pope Julius III.,
who was represented by Jacopo Cortese da Prato, Bishop of Vaison, the
writer of a curious letter descriptive of the ceremony.

The little fellow was a thorough Medico, full of spirit, frank, and
daring. Blessed with the good looks of his father's family, he was the
merriest among his brothers and sisters. Mischievous, and passionate
too, at times, he endeared himself especially to his mother by his
fascinating manners and his whole-hearted devotion.

Whilst regarding his brilliant son Giovanni, perhaps, with the keenest
affection, Cosimo saw in his younger boy traits not unlike his own, and
an instinctive love of arms. Garzia then was from the first years of
boyhood destined for a military career, having placed before him the
splendid example of his redoubtable grandfather, "Giovanni
_L'Invincible_."

Upon his thirteenth birthday, the Duke appointed his gay young son
Admiral