90-
» recited here and composed by Tasso? » — « I am
» Bernardo Buontalenti, was the architect's answer
» but by no means worthy of the praises bestowed
» on me. » The stranger then came forward, and
throwing his arms round Bernardo’s neck, exclaim¬
ed: « You are Bernardo Buontalenti, and I am Tor¬
» quato Tasso; addio, amico, addio, » and mounting
his horse, rode off at a sharp trot, leaving the poor
architect dying with vexation at not being able to
prolong the interview; Torquato disappeared and
was, it is said, never afterwards seen in Florence.
Continue up the Via Maggio to the Piazza S. Felice,
take the first turning to the right, which will bring
you into the Piazza di Santo Spirito.
PALAZZO GUADAGNI. — Enquire for the Palazzo
Guadagni on the west side of the Piazza; knock at
the door generally closed, and ask to see the Galle-
ry, which contains the two finest Salvator Rosa’s in
the world, a sketch by Andrea del Sarto, a very in¬
teresting one in black and white by Paolo Veronese,
and some capital portraits by Subtermans, etc. etc.
SANTO SPIRITO. — Leaving this palace which is
a fine specimen of an ancient florentine mansion
as it has never been restored either inside or out for
the last two or three hundred years, enter the church
of Santo Spirito, considered the “chef-d’œuvre” of
Brunellesco, and erected about the year 1430; Bru¬
nellesco died long before its completion. This church
contains some excellent paintings of the early Flo¬