From this circumstance it was feared that Ugolino might be inclined to listen to those maligners who accused Petrarch of having gone to Avignon for the purpose of undermining the Bishop in the Pope's favour.

Petrarch, upon his promotion, wrote a letter to Ugolino, strongly repelling this accusation.

This is one of the manliest epistles that ever issued from his pen.

"Allow me to assure you," he says, "that I would not exchange my tranquillity for your troubles, nor my poverty for your riches.

Do not imagine, however, that I despise your particular situation.