Note 15 — IX LORETO TO THE BATHS OF LUCCA

The famous palace built for Duke Federigo di Montefeltro by Luciano di Laurana and Baccio Pontelli. Castiglione, in “The Courtyer,” agrees with Montaigne that the site of Urbino leaves something to be desired: “The which for all it is placed emong hylles, and those not so pleasaunt as perhappes some other that we behoulde in manye places” (Hoby’s trans.). But seeing how appreciative Montaigne shows himself of mountain scenery in other parts, it is strange that he should withhold praise from the distant prospects from Urbino, which are particularly grand and beautiful.