( 53 ) 



THE ACQUAVITARO OF LONGARA. 



ROME, 1518. 



THE immortal names'of Michael Angelo and Raffaelle possess such 

 an intrinsic fascinating charm, that whatever relates to them cannot 

 but be interesting. Those who are acquainted with the memoirs of 

 those two geniuses of modern Italy, must know that a great emula- 

 tion, nay, a glorious rivalry for pre-eminence, existed between them. 



It is matter of history that when Buonarroti was painting his 

 wonderful a fresco works in the Sixtine chapel of the Vatican, nobody 

 was allowed to enter into that place with the exception of David 

 de Volterra and Sebastian del Piornbo. 



Raffaelle,. who had already studied Michael Angelo's Cartoons at 

 Florence, was very anxious to have a sight of the a frescos of his 

 rival, which were reported as truly extraordinary, both with regard to 

 the design and the grandeur. He spoke therefore of his wish to 

 Monsignor Bambo, who was then the secretary of state of LeoX., and 

 I consequently the most powerful personage of Rome after the Pope. 



To obtain for his favourite artist the opportunity of admiring and 

 of studying the majestic colossal Sybils and Prophets which Michael 

 Angelo had already completed, Bambo one day, having met with 

 Buonarroti on the stairs of the Vatican, spoke to him rather with 

 authority, and almost with rudeness ; when the incomparable artist, 

 resenting the insult, without much ceremony gave a slap in the face 

 to Monsignor ; and then to avoid being arrested for that sacrilegious 

 transgression, he left Rome almost instanter, and retreated to Florence, 

 there to wait for the result of his assault. 



During Michael Angelo's absence Raffaelle had every opportunity 

 of studying in the Sixtine chapel, and derived much profit by his 

 study, the proof of which is that from that epoch he began to 

 enlarge the size of his already beautiful angelic figures. 



Michael Angelo, however, having been not only forgiven, but also 

 most earnestly entreated by the Pope to return to his immortal work, 

 complied with his Holiness's request, and having been informed of 

 what had happened during his absence from Rome, became more 

 than ever angry with Bambo, and never forgot the stratagem of that 

 prelate so much so, that when Buonarroti many years after this 

 painted his Last Judgment, he placed amongst the damned in hell 

 Bambo, who was then the Cardinal of state, by which the latter was 

 so much offended that he applied to the Pope to obtain redress, but 

 his Holiness said : " Cardinal, I am very sorry that I cannot be of use to 

 you. Michael Angelo has placed you in hell, and you know that the 

 Vicar of Christ has no power there : consequently remain where you 

 are, certain however, of a damned immortality. 



But to return to our Brandy Merchant. The family of Alexander 

 Farnese, who afterwards was elevated to the dignity of Pontiff as 

 Paul III., was not only one of the most noble, but certainly the most 

 ambitious, and the wealthiest of Italy. Cardinal Farnese, therefore, 

 wished to possess all that was grand and unrivalled. Michael Angelo 



