But All These Objects Having
Been Circumstantially Described By Twenty Different Authors Of
Travels, I Shall Not Trouble You With A Repetition Of Trite
Observations.
That part of the city which stands on each side of the river,
makes a very elegant appearance, to which the four bridges and
the stone-quay between them, contribute in a great measure.
I
lodged at the widow Vanini's, an English house delightfully
situated in this quarter. The landlady, who is herself a native
of England, we found very obliging. The lodging-rooms are
comfortable; and the entertainment is good and reasonable. There
is a considerable number of fashionable people at Florence, and
many of them in good circumstances. They affect a gaiety in their
dress, equipage, and conversation; but stand very much on their
punctilio with strangers; and will not, without great reluctance,
admit into their assemblies any lady of another country, whose
noblesse is not ascertained by a title. This reserve is in some
measure excusable among a people who are extremely ignorant of
foreign customs, and who know that in their own country, every
person, even the most insignificant, who has any pretensions to
family, either inherits, or assumes the title of principe, conte,
or marchese.
With all their pride, however, the nobles of Florence are humble
enough to enter into partnership with shop-keepers, and even to
sell wine by retail. It is an undoubted fact, that in every
palace or great house in this city, there is a little window
fronting the street, provided with an iron-knocker, and over it
hangs an empty flask, by way of sign-post.
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