Giuseppe Tartini - Lettere e documenti / Pisma in dokumenti / Letters and Documents - Volume / Knjiga / Volume II

463 LETTERS you know, and I have a precise obligation to do so, to avoid a false interpretations being given to this wish of mine. You must know then that in Florence, under the current Grand Duke, a decree has been issued, providing for the separation of the classes into three: patricians, nobles and plebeians (the precise terms of said decree). The patricians include the class of all the nobility, which subsists on sufficient assets for a class with no need whatsoever to resort to trading, and the minimum required assets are prescribed. The nobles include the class of citizens, for whom the minimum assets necessary for the subsistence are likewise prescribed, and they are allowed some mercantile trading to maintain and increase their assets. The plebeians include the class of all tradesmen and artists who, not having sufficient assets to be in the class of the nobles, and none with regard to the arts, are obliged through trade and with their art to provide for their sustenance. The Tartini family of Florence has hitherto belonged to the class of the citizens; but in force of this decree it runs the risk of passing into that of the plebeians, as it is divided into three branches. Of these, the wealthiest branch is that of Signor Salvator Maria, 108 with whom I have a correspondence; but if he, thanks to his possessions, can keep his branch in the class of the nobles, he cannot save the other two with the division of his own possessions; in such a situation we would see two branches of plebeians and one of nobles among the living members. He informed me of this many months ago, and I replied to him that, on my part, I can help him and favour the whole family through my will, assuming the lack of a male heir in ours, and that he should inform me if that would be sufficient for this need. He informed me that it is quite sufficient and that in this way they are all saved in the noble class. This is the foundation of my wish, and no other, which all of you can ascertain for yourselves, because the said decree is public. To me such a wish seems more than honest; but if there is anyone among you who believes differently for a better reason than mine, may he let me know without the least awkwardness and with freedom of heart, because I shall always be willing to change my opinion when someone enlightens me better. On my part, I have hitherto certainly not been better enlightened, because when I intend to make the possession of this property contingent on the lack of a male heir, I cannot see what our family could ever remain endangered by. Nonetheless, I shall await the suggestion of a better solution with eagerness, so that I can finally make my last will and testament. From it you receive the foundation of the three thousand zecchini to invest there for the benefit of you all, for the duration of your lives, the return of its capital being assigned to Signor Salvator Maria of Florence, as you know this benefit deserves the above-mentioned compensation; actually, I think it is better to avoid disturbing the said cousin of mine and that the investment be made there under some other name, either Signor Zaccaria or your brother Signor Giuseppe, as if he had obtained the money on loan in Trieste, or in whatever better way is suggested to you by Signor Pietro, who is cautious and 108 A letter by Salvatore Maria Tartini is preserved in I-Bc, S5244.