POTTER United Families

throne as Leopold II, in 1790, had ruled Belgium two years, during
Louis' childhood. Grégoire knew that Ricci had written memoirs,
which were in the library of his nephews in Florence.
Louis returned to Italy in 1822, and went to Florence, accompanied
by Signora Malenchini. When the study of Ricci was completed, after
several months in the palace, it was illustrated with a portrait of heroïc
state reformer and funny church leader Scipio de Ricci by Matilde, as
shown here, next to the family library.
Louis' work on Bishop minister-counsellor of the Court of
Habsburg-Tuscany, count Scipio de Ricci, was completed in 1823. It
first appeared in 1825 in Brussels, printed by Weissenbrück, the
King's printer, edited by Tarlier in Paris.
Louis said in the foreword: ‘’The life of Ricci attracts our interest onto
the wisest nations of Europe, imposing light against ignorance, justice
vs. force, freedom vs. tyranny.
His life shows aristocracy and religion creeping at the feet of citizens,
seeking to seduce them, in order to arm them against well intended
despots, instead of attacking fanaticism, healing human rationale,
suffering under the burden of its chains, weighting on its noble
faculties."
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