CHAPTER I. PAGE

My motive for writing these Memoirs--My father's family--Removal of the family to Florence--My childhood--My father takes me to Pistoia, but I run away from his house to return to my mother--From Pistoia I go with my father to Prato--My first study in drawing--Strong impression made upon me by an old print--My father's opposition to my studies--My sorrow at being so far from my mother--I run the risk of being burnt--Having grown tall, fears are entertained for my health--I return to my mother at Florence and work with Ammanati--I go to Siena and study ornate design in the Academy--Carlo Pini gives me lessons in drawing the human figure--Signor Angelo Barbetti's prophecy--I run away from Siena, and on foot go to my mother at Florence--Signor Paolo Sani--Death of my sister Clementina--My mother's infirmity of eyesight--My brother Lorenzo goes to the poorhouse--My aversion to learn reading and writing--My first library, and inexperience of books, 1