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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 306, 5 July 1848, Page 3

Lorenzo de' Medici. — * Maddalena, daughter of Lorenzo de' Medici, had been betrothed to Cibo, son of Pope Innocent VIII. A suite of the first rank of Roman nobility accompanied the bridegroom to Florence, and were magnificently lodged by Lorenzo in a palace fitted up for their reception ; while Cibo himself, as now forming part of the Medici, was received in the family mansion. After a few days of festivity and ceremony, the bridegroom, on coming to supper with his father-in-law, found, instead of the previous magnificence, every thing reduced to the usual parsimonious simplicity of Florentine domestic life. Although a little startled at this, he made no remark, but, seeing the same frugality continued, he became uneasy and mortified, not on his own account, but lest his company of distinguished followers should be similary treated, and himself disgraced ; -accustomed as they were to the luxurious refinement of Roman manners, and having been invited to a marriage little short of regal, which was expected to be celebrated with corresponding magnificence. He therefore feared they might return disgusted, to his own and Lorenzo's shame, and contemplated with some uneasiness the effects of future ridicule at the court of Rome. Cibo at first avoided any inquiry, but seeing them always joyous, he one day ventured to ask, as if by chance, how they fared, and excusing* his own absence from their society in consequence of business. The answer was encouraging; and after further questions, finding they were treated more like princes than private gentlemen, he began to appreciate Lorenzo's simple grandeur ; and in his newly awakened admiration frankly acknowledged his first suspicions and annoyance, with His subsequent satisfaction and surprise. To this the Medici quietly replied, that, having received him as his son, he treated him as such ; had he done otherwise, it would. have been putting him on the footing of a stranger.

But the illustrious foreigners, who had honoured his nuptials with their presence, -were served with all the distinction due to distinguished rank, and the dignity of Franceschetto and the Medici. Yet Lorenzo at this time governed Florence despotically, and all Italy through his political influence, besides being considered, as a sovereign prince by every European potentate.' — Napier's* Florentine History.

* The author of this work was unfortunately drowned on the wreck of 11. M. Steamer Avenger, of which he was the commander at the time of the melancholy catastrophe.