CHAPTER VII.

The Grand Duchess Maria of Russia and the commission for the Cain and Abel--The Prince of Leuchtenberg and a plate of _caviale_ at Caffè Doney--An unusual amusement that did some good--Again the generosity of Count del Benino--Bartolini's Hunchback, and in consequence a return to the Abel--Bartolini gets angry with me--Examination of the materialistic or realistic in art--Effects of the realistic--Do not have girls alone by themselves for models--Subscription got up by the Sienese to have my Abel executed in marble--A new way of curing a cough--Signora Letizia's receipt, who sent it and paid for it herself--One must never offer works gratis, for they are not accepted--The Grand Duchess Marie Antoinetta orders the "Giotto" for the Uffizi--Has Abel killed Cain?--Statue of Pius II.--A foolish opinion and impertinent answer--I defy the law that prohibits eating, 110