He then busied
himself with books as few laymen had done before him, and became, as
has been said, one of the most profound scholars of his time. When
appointed by the government as its representative magistrate and tax-
collector at Pescia and Pistoia, he fulfilled his duties in accordance
with the lofty ideal with which his religious feeling and humanistic
studies combined to inspire him. He succeeded in collecting the most
unpopular taxes which the Florentine State imposed, and declined
payment for his services. As provincial governor he refused all
presents, abhorred all bribes, checked gambling, kept the country well
supplied with corn, was indefatigable in settling lawsuits amicably,
and did wonders in calming inflamed passions by his goodness. The
Pistoiese were never able to discover to which of the two political
parties he leaned. As if to symbolize the common rights and interests
of all, he spent his leisure hours in writing the history of the city,
which was preserved, bound in a purple cover, as a sacred relic in the
town hall. When he took his leave the city presented him with a banner
bearing the municipal arms and a splendid silver helmet.
For further information as to the learned citizens of Florence at this
period the reader must all the more be referred to Vespasiano, who knew
them all personally, because the tone and atmosphere in which he
writes, and the terms and conditions on which he mixed in their
society, are of even more importance than the facts which he records.
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