DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0258
228 COUNT BALDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
be made, with a heavy wooden bar across the gates,
so that they could not be opened easily. Hearing
that these men were prowling about, I sent out all
our servants, together with those of the Count, who
caught them in the act and gave them a good beat-
ing. Among them was that insolent factor of Signor
Federico's, who went home furious, and threatened
to complain to the Lord Marquis. I at once sent
a messenger with a letter to Cristoforo at Mantua,
begging him to see the Sindaco, which he did with-
out delay. The Sindaco tells him that we did quite
right, and that if the fellow likes to complain to the
Marquis I had better let him do so. I seem to be
always fighting over these waters, and as soon as I
have gained one battle another begins, so that I am
never left in peace. As it is, our mill can hardly
grind at all, and we are obliged to use some of the
water for our meadows, especially in the Brolo, where
the young fruit-trees are planted, and this leaves
hardly stream enough to turn the wheel.'i
Unluckily, the matter did not end here. In the
absence of Signor Federico, who was lighting for
the French King, the factor complained to his
wife, Signora Giovanna Orsini, who, furious at this
insult, appealed without delay to the Marquis for
redress. The case was referred to the Sindaco of
Mantua. Fortunately, this officer was friendly to
Castiglione, and, after examining the witnesses pro-
duced by Madonna Luigia, bade her leave the matter
to him. Not content with this, however, Giovanna
Orsini wrote angrily to Luigia, who replied as civilly
as she could, expressing her regret at the occurrence,
and throwing the blame on the servants.
' None the less/ she wrote to Baldassare, ' I have
given orders that La Cavata is to be carefully closed
i Cod. Vat. Lat., 8211, fol. 221-227.
be made, with a heavy wooden bar across the gates,
so that they could not be opened easily. Hearing
that these men were prowling about, I sent out all
our servants, together with those of the Count, who
caught them in the act and gave them a good beat-
ing. Among them was that insolent factor of Signor
Federico's, who went home furious, and threatened
to complain to the Lord Marquis. I at once sent
a messenger with a letter to Cristoforo at Mantua,
begging him to see the Sindaco, which he did with-
out delay. The Sindaco tells him that we did quite
right, and that if the fellow likes to complain to the
Marquis I had better let him do so. I seem to be
always fighting over these waters, and as soon as I
have gained one battle another begins, so that I am
never left in peace. As it is, our mill can hardly
grind at all, and we are obliged to use some of the
water for our meadows, especially in the Brolo, where
the young fruit-trees are planted, and this leaves
hardly stream enough to turn the wheel.'i
Unluckily, the matter did not end here. In the
absence of Signor Federico, who was lighting for
the French King, the factor complained to his
wife, Signora Giovanna Orsini, who, furious at this
insult, appealed without delay to the Marquis for
redress. The case was referred to the Sindaco of
Mantua. Fortunately, this officer was friendly to
Castiglione, and, after examining the witnesses pro-
duced by Madonna Luigia, bade her leave the matter
to him. Not content with this, however, Giovanna
Orsini wrote angrily to Luigia, who replied as civilly
as she could, expressing her regret at the occurrence,
and throwing the blame on the servants.
' None the less/ she wrote to Baldassare, ' I have
given orders that La Cavata is to be carefully closed
i Cod. Vat. Lat., 8211, fol. 221-227.