[CHAPTER XLIII]

1552. Marriage of Princess Elisabetta[106]
The Duke's domestic affairs[107]
He builds the palace at Pesaro[108]
1555. The bigotry and ambitious nepotism of Paul IV.[109]
He sends Guidobaldo against the Colonna[109]
1557.Aug. 26.Rome nearly taken[111]
1558.April 9.He receives an engagement from Spain and the Golden Fleece[111]
The terms of his service[111]
1565. He sends his son to Spain[112]
His Discourse against the Turk[113]
1570. His great expenses[113]
1572. Consequent increase of imposts[113]
Which occasions an insurrection at Urbino[114]
It is repressed by stringent measures[115]
1573. Severities against the guilty[116]
The humiliation of the city[117]
The blot attaching to the Duke's memory from these events[120]
Letter of remonstrance to him[120]
1574.Sept. 28.His death and character[122]
His children[125]

[CHAPTER XLIV]

The autobiography of Duke Francesco Maria II.[129]
1549.Feb. 20.His birth and education[130]
1565. He goes to Spain by Genoa[131]
1568. His account of Don Carlos's imprisonment[133]
July 11.His return home by Milan[134]
His studious habits[135]
1571.Jan.His marriage to Lucrezia d'Este announced by himself[135]
Early coldness[136]
Congratulatory letters on the occasion[137]
Protestant doctrines at Ferrara[139]
He joins the Turkish expedition[139]
His account of the sea-fight at Lepanto[140]
1574.Sep. 28.He succeeds to the dukedom[142]
Ceremonial of his investiture[142]
Letter of advice from Girolamo Muzio[144]
The difficulties of his position[149]
Overcome by prudence and moderation[149]
A conspiracy against him discovered[150]

[CHAPTER XLV]

1577. Unsatisfactory results of his marriage[152]
His separation from the Duchess[153]
His autograph Diary[155]
1582. He is taken into the Spanish service[156]
And receives the title of "Most Serene"[157]
1583. Marriage of his Sister Princess Lavinia[157]
He builds the Videtta Villa[157]
1586. And obtains the Golden Fleece[158]
List of officers at his court[159]
1588. His fondness for the chase[160]
1589. Other pastimes of his court[161]
His literary pursuits[162]
His hospitalities. Galileo[163]
1597.Oct.Death of the last Duke of Ferrara[164]
1598.Feb. 11.And of the Duchess of Urbino[165]
Clement VIII. visits Urbino[166]
His desire for the Duke's abdication[166]
The Duke's retired habits[167]
The anxiety of his people for his remarriage[167]
His singular appeal to them[168]
1599.April 26.He marries Livia della Rovere[169]
1602.Dec. 13.Death of Duchess Vittoria[171]

[CHAPTER XLVI]

1605.May 16.Birth of Prince Federigo[173]
Universal joy of the people[174]
The Duke's pilgrimage of thanks to Loreto[176]
” 19.Baptism of the Prince, amid festive pageants[176]
1606. The Duke's breeding stud[180]
His aversion to business, and retired habits[180]
Castel Durante his favourite residence[181]
He appoints a council of state[183]
A glance at the constitution establishments of Urbino[185]
1607. The unfortunate education of the Prince[189]
His father's code of instructions to him[189]
1608. His unpromising youth[194]

[CHAPTER XLVII]