Italian he picked up naturally during his residence, and spoke it with the facility of a native.

He could now converse freely in Latin, and had some knowledge of German.
At the same school were many lads of good Venetian families, and it was here that he had first made the acquaintance of Matteo Giustiniani, who was now his most intimate friend.
Matteo, like all the young nobles of Venice, was anxious to excel in military exercises, but he had none of the ardour for really hard work which distinguished his friend.

He admired the latter's strength and activity, but could not bring himself to imitate him, in the exercises by which that strength was attained, and had often remonstrated with him upon his fondness for rowing.
"It is not seemly, Francisco, for a gentleman to be labouring like a common gondolier.

These men are paid for doing it; but what pleasure there can be in standing up working that oar, till you are drenched with perspiration, I cannot understand.

I don't mind getting hot in the School of Arms, because one cannot learn to use the sword and dagger without it, but that's quite another thing from tugging at an oar." "But I like it, Matteo; and see how strong it has made my muscles, not of the arm only, but the leg and back.