Meantime we will betake us (as thou saidst erewhile) to a wholesome patience, praying God that He may put it into thy heart to push the whole forward together.

Fear not that either work to do or rewards shall fail thee while we live.
Farewell, with the blessing of God and ours .-- Julius." [Julius was the Pope's baptismal name .-- ED.] Michelangelo began the library in 1526, as appears from his _Ricordi._ Still the work went on slowly, not through his negligence, but, as we have seen, from the Pope's preoccupation with graver matters.

He had a great many workmen in his service at this period, and employed celebrated masters in their crafts, as Tasso and Carota for wood-carving, Battista del Cinque and Ciapino for carpentry, upon the various fittings of the library.

All these details he is said to have designed; and it is certain that he was considered responsible for their solidity and handsome appearance.

Sebastiano, for instance, wrote to him about the benches: "Our Lord wishes that the whole work should be of carved walnut.