CHAPTER VIII.

LAST DAYS OF COSIMO DE MEDICI.

Cosimo in Advanced Age—Death of his Brother Lorenzo—His

sons Piero and Giovanni—Piero’s Marriage to Lucrezia

Tornabuoni—Death of Giovanni—Piero’s Children—Cosimo’s

Manner of Life—Cosimo’s Disposition and Character—Cosimo in

Outward Demeanour and in Business—Cosimo’s Ecclesiastical

Edifices—Churches and Monasteries, Palace and Villas—Buildings

and Foundations Abroad—Cosimo’s Last Days at Careggi

Villa—Piero’s Letter to his Sons—Death of Cosimo—Marsilio

Ficino on Cosimo—Cosimo de’ Medici the Father of his Country 153

SECOND BOOK.

_PIERO DE’ MEDICI. FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT._