Outside: To the Most Illustrious and Most Respected Signor Paolo
Franceschini, Rome.
And inside:
My Most Illustrious and Respected Signor:
I understand why you desire to tell me about the quarrels which have
arisen between Signor Guido, your brother, and Signor Comparini. And I
cannot but pity you for the trouble you have had in a case so rare,
and indeed so unprecedented. The Signora, your sister-in-law, had some
recourse to me, but her great excitement, taken along with the
excessive passion of her mother, revealed to me that the daughter had
taken this step entirely by instigation. So I tried to make peace
between them, thinking that when the instigations of the parents were
removed she might be brought to right reason. I believed this the more
readily, as she was of tender age. And the more she spoke, and the
more she made outcry, that much the more had she been urged thereto by
the instigation of her mother. And that she might not be excited even
more, I had her taken home in my carriage twice. I have some knowledge
of this because Signor Senator Marzi-Medici, who presides over the
laic government of this town for our Most Serene Grand Duke, has told
me all. And I need only add that I reaffirm what I have written with
entire sincerity. Wishing for new chances to serve you, I affirm
myself to you, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant,
THE RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP OF AREZZO.
AREZZO, _September 15, 1694_.