Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 2.djvu/189

Rh which was certainly very beautiful, there proceeded two strong ropes; these were fastened to the rood-loft, or gallery, of which there is one in that church, and over which the representation was made. To the end of these ropes two small bronze rollers were fastened with cords, and these supported an iron stake fixed to a level platform, on which stood two angels bound firmly by their girdles. They were kept upright by a counterpoise of lead which they had beneath their feet, and by a second bracket, on which they supported themselves, and which assisted to maintain them on the same level. The whole apparatus was covered with a large quantity of well prepared cotton wool, and this gave the appearance of clouds, amidst which were seen numberless cherubim, seraphim, and other angels, clothed in various colours, and all very well distributed and arranged. These, when a cord was loosened from the paradise wherein were the lights, came down the two strong ropes above named, and being arrived on the rood-loft where the spectacle was to proceed, they announced to the Saviour that he was then to ascend into [leaven, or did or recited whatever else was set down for them to perform or speak. And as the iron to w’hich the angels were bound by the girdle was securely fixed into the base or platform on which they stood, they could turn themselves round, could make due obeisance when they came and when they returned, or move themselves about as might be required, so that in returning they set their faces towards heaven, and when the proper time came were drawn up, by means similar to those which had effectuated their descent. These machines and inventions originated, as is said, with Cecca; for although Filippo Brunelleschi had long before constructed something similar, there were, nevertheless, many additions very judiciously made by Cecca, and to him was due the invention of the “Nuvole,” or clouds, which were borne through the city every year on the Vigil of St. John, with many other admirable contrivances, whereby that festival was embellished. This was indeed the peculiar care of Cecca, because he was, as I have said, in the service of the public.

And now, as these festivals and processions have, for the most part, fallen out of use, it will not be amiss to use the present opportunity for saying somewhat concerning the spec-