At Turin the King's Library contains some of the papers
and drawings of Ligorio, who helped in the building of St. Peter's: but
most of his books were taken to Ferrara, where he held an official
appointment as antiquary. The University Library contains the collections
of the Dukes of Savoy, including a quantity of Oriental MSS., and some of
the precious volumes illuminated by the monks of Bobbio. The Pere Jacob
in his treatise upon famous libraries had some personal anecdote to
record about the bookmen of each place that he visited. At Naples he saw
the collection of the works of Pontanus, presented to the Dominicans by
his daughter Eugenia; at Bologna he found a long roll of the Pentateuch,
'written by Esdras'; and at Ferrara he described the tomb of Coelius, who
was buried among his books, at his own desire, like a miser in the midst
of his riches.
Ferrara derived a special fame from the munificence of the House of Este
and the memory of Olympia Morata. A long line of illustrious princes had
built up 'an Athens in the midst of Boeotia.' Ariosto sang the praises of
the literary Court, and Tasso's misfortunes were due to his eagerness in
accepting its pleasures. The library of Lilio Giraldi was a meeting-place
for the scholars of Italy, and it continued to be the pride of Ferrara
when it passed to Cinthio Giraldi the poet. Renee of France, after the
death of her husband, Duke Hercules, made Ferrara a city of refuge for
Calvin and Marot and the fugitive Reformers from Germany.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83