THE AUSTRIAN YELLOW. 22 1
say
to it. The Grand Duke of Tavernier's time was Ferdinand it., who
reigned from 1621 to 1670 — a man of considerable enlightenment, a
protector of Galileo and an encourager of literature. If there is any
truth in the popular belief to which we shall presently allude, that
diamonds promote the mutual affection of husband and wife, then indeed
the great yellow stone had need of its charm in the case of Ferdinand's
son and successor, Cosimo iii. This luckless prince was married to
Marguerite Louise d'Or-leans, niece of Louis xiv., a young lady of
flighty fancies and obstinate willfulness. Being deeply attached to her
cousin of Lorraine, she was only induced to give her hand to the heir
of Tuscany on the threat of imprisonment in a convent. She was married
in 1660 and made her state entry into Florence amid unparalleled
splendor. Immediately afterwards the courts of Europe rang with the
quarrels of the newly-wedded pair. The Pope of Rome, the King of
France, mother, sisters, aunts, ambassadors,
