gnolo knew, he was wont to
treat such of his works as he had in charge. Wherefore Michelagnolo
sent the directions for making the above-named staircase in a letter
by his own hand on the 28th of September, 1555.

[Illustration: BIBLIOTECA LAURENZIANA

(_After =Michelagnolo=. Florence_)

_Alinari_]

"MESSER GIORGIO, DEAR FRIEND,

"Concerning the staircase for the library, of which so much has been
said to me, you may believe that if I could remember how I had
designed it, I would not need to be entreated. There does, indeed,
come back to my mind, like a dream, a certain staircase; but I do not
believe that it is exactly the one which I conceived at that time,
because it comes out so stupid. However, I will describe it here. Take
a quantity of oval boxes, each one palm in depth, but not of equal
length and breadth. The first and largest place on the pavement at
such a distance from the wall of the door as may make the staircase
easy or steep, according to your pleasure. Upon this place another,
which must be so much smaller in every direction as to leave on the
first one below as much space as the foot requires in ascending;
diminishing and drawing back the steps one after another towards the
door, in accord with the ascent. And the diminution of the last step
must reduce it to the proportion of the space of the door. The said
part of the staircase with the oval steps must have two wings, one on
one side and one on the other, with corresponding steps but not oval.
Of these the central flight shall serve as the principal staircase,
and from the centre of the staircase to the top the curves of the said
wings shall meet the wall; but from the centre down to the pavement
they shall stand, together with the whole staircase, at a distance of
about three palms from the wall, in such a manner that the basement of
the vestibule shall not be obstructed in any part, and every face
shall be left free. I am writing nonsense; but I know well that you
will find something to your purpose."

Michelagnolo also wrote to Vasari in those days that Julius III being
dead, and Marcellus elected, the faction that was against him, in
consequence of the election of the new Pontiff, had again begun to
harass him. Which hearing, and not liking these ways, the Duke caused
Giorgio to write and tell him that he should leave Rome and come to
live in Florence, where the Duke did not desire more than his advice
and designs at times for his building