is an historical fact; that the volume so sent was highly ornamented (quam ornatissimum) is asserted by Crinitus; that the present volume agrees with such description, and that it contains marginal remarks in the hand-writing of the king, is admitted by Drakenborch. Unless, therefore it could be supposed that the king had read and commented upon two different copies of Livy, of which no evidence whatever exists, we may still be allowed to doubt the authorities adduced by Drakenborch, and presume this to be the individual volume sent by Cosmo to conciliate the favour of Alfonso. IX. v. 4to. ed. vol. i. p. 60. 8vo. ed. vol. i. p. 83. "He (Cosmo) well knew the jealous temper of the Florentines, and preferred the real enjoyment of authority to that open assumption of it, which could only have been regarded as a perpetual insult by those whom he permitted to gratify their pride, in the reflection that they were the equals of Cosmo de' Medici." ALTHOUGH Cosmo was only a private individual, and bore no title of honour amongst his fellow-citizens, yet there is reason to believe that precedence was conceded to him on public occasions, and that he was generally attended by persons of rank and importance in the affairs of government. In a picture by Francesco Peselli, now in the Liverpool Royal Institution, representing the exhibition of a relic in the great church at Florence, is the portrait of Cosmo in the costume of the time, accompanied by his son Piero, and preceded by his grandsons Lorenzo and Giuliano. They are represented as entering the church, followed by a numerous train of relatives and dependants. The resemblances of the Medici are extremely characteristic, and the infirmities of Piero are strikingly apparent. Lorenzo appears to be about twelve years of age, from which it may be inferred that this picture was painted about the year 1454, or about three years before the death of the painter, who died in 1457. Peselli had been greatly favoured by Cosmo, and had been employed by him to ornament his palace with battles of lions, and other animals, giostra of horses, &c., which remained in the time of Vasari, and which he commends as full of character and spirit. (a) (a) "E' lavorò (Peselli) in casa de' Medici una spalliera d'animali molto bella, ed alcuni corpi di cassoni con storiette piccole di giostra di cavalli. E veggonsi in detta casa fino al di d'oggi di mano sua alcuna tele di leoni, i quali s'affac |