274 THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. Ciiap. VIII. mutation to a term of three years. 1 He had, no doubt had occasion during a long stay at Rome and from a constant connection with churchmen, to convince himself that their money-dealings were often attended with delay and misunderstandings; he now experienced the inconvenience of transacting business with the papal agents at Chiugi who distrained on his property in de fiance of papal briefs. He was too confident, however, of his interest to submit to this injustice, but complained again, and had the satisfaction of discovering that a re primand had been addressed to the overseers at Chiugi, and of obtaining restitution of the produce which had been unjustly taken from him (October 24. 1497). 2 In the following year (May and October 1498) he had the additional pleasure of obtaining the extension of the. first commutation for the whole time of his lease, and a brief of Alexander the Sixth confirming possession of the lands at Chiugi to him and his descendants even though he should omit the yearly presentation of two pounds of wax. 3 His prospects being thus improved, Pinturicchio de termined to build himself a house, and thus proclaimed his intention of living out the rest of his days in Perugia. Nor was the help of the Borgias withheld from him even on this occasion. As Cesar, Duke of Valentino, overran the Romagna in 1500, and was visited by the artist in his camp at Diruta, he issued an order from thence, dated the 14 th October 1500, requesting the vice treasurer Alfani to get permission for Pinturicchio to sink a cistern in his house at Perugia. But this is not so interesting as the Duke’s statement, “that he has again taken to his service Bernardino Pinturicchio of Perosa, whom he always loved because of his talent and gifts; 1 The commutation in full in Verm. app. pp. X. and foil*. Ib. ib. pp. XIV. and foil 6 . Ib. ib. pp. XVII. and foil 6 .
