which space comprehending thirty three Pillars assâ—…rds in length three hundred foot which Collumns have no Bâ—…ses but excellent HEADS The two Frontispieces thereof appear Pargetted with White and Red Marble in the midst whereof are little Ascents or Hills whereon are set thirty seven Collumnes made in the Form of Pyramids with seventy two Arches The Facade or Frontispiece backwards was lately beautified with Istrian Stone and is contignous towards the North with the Church of Saint Marco The Roofs of this Pallace were heretofore covered with Lead but the fiâ—…e that happened in the year 1574. caused it to be covered instead of lead with Slâ—…t of a certain Mettle Every Front hath one Gate The principal which is conjoyned with the Church of a Piramide Figure looks towards the Piazza or broad Place just before which stands the winged Lion and the Duke Foscaro Carved in White Marble Next within on the right hand is found a spatious Court wherein are two Wells of sweet Water whose mouthes are made with Brass garnished with Spouts and other Curiosities At the end of this Court is the Gate which answers to the Sea Then having ascended the close Stairs called Foscara on the left hand you may go round the Pallace upon the Tarrace The two Fronts backwards the one whereof loâ—…ks towards the Sea the other towards tâ—…e Piazza parallell them that are forwards except that they have neither Arches nor Collumnes below The Front towards the East on the even ground hath thirty six Arches and as many Pillars of Istrian Stone over the which there is an open Gallery of fifty four Arches and fifty five Colâ—…umnes On the Top is drawn a Wall of Istrian Stone adorned with beautiful Cornishes Just against the Principall Gate stands the large Stayer-case of the Pallace towards the North which leads directly to the Lodging of the Prince at the foot of this Stayer-case stâ—…nds two Colossuses the one of Marse the other of Neptune Upon the â—…op thereof likewise just opposite to them stands two most excellent Statues the one of Adam the other of Fve The Front below towards the Canale or Channel hath two Stayer-cases by the which they ascend to that most Royal Corridor or open Gallery wherein stand many Tribunals or Courts of Justice Opposite to the Chief Stayer-case is a Memorial of Henry the third King of 〈◊〉 engraven in Marble with Letters of Gold From the South East they ascend that most splendid Stayer-case which upon the left hand leads to the Chamber of the Prince and on the right hand to the Colledge Where the Eye is wholly taken up with beholding the most sumptuous Vaulted or Arched Roof or Seeling Richly garnished with Gold This College stands towards the East over the Chamber of the Prince whose vaulted Roof as at Venice they call it is partly guilt partly Carved with great Artifice partly Painted and wrought with Histories even to Admiration At the upper end of this Hall is exalted the Imperial Throne of the Duke and the Images of Venice figured by a Queen who disposeth the Crown upon his Head Here the Duke with the Senatours transact the affairs of State and give Audience to Embassadours as well such as have recourse to them from their own Territories and Cities as of Foreign Princes Out of which leads a door into another great Hall wherein are figured all the Provinces which the Venetians possess upon the firm Land where also are erected eleven most excellent Statues of Emperours Issuing forth of these Places and walking towards the Sea you meet the dreadful Tribunals of the Counsel of Tenne where every Place gloriously shines with Gold and costliness A little more forwards is the spacious Hall or Senate House of the Great Counsel where they dispose the publique Offices and Ballott the Magistrates which Counsel orders it self in this manner First the Duke royally clad sits on a Throne raised a good higth from the Ground On his Right Hand he hath three Counsellors near him accompanyed by one of the Chief of the Magistrates of forty for Criminal Offences Just opposite to the Prince at the other End of the Great Hall sits one of the Chief of the Illustrious Counsel of the Tenne A little from whence seats himself one of the Advocates of Comminalty In the Angles or Corners of the Great Hall stands the Old and New Auditors In the middle are the Censors The rest of the Nobles of Venice sit promiscuously in other Seats less raised from the plain ground of the great Hall Into which Counsel cannot be admitted any that is not Noble and who is not above the age of twenty five years Afterwards the Grand Chancellour having first recommended to every One their duty to elect a Person fit for that Magistracy names the first Competitor Then certain litle Lads go up and down the Hall with double Boxes the one wherof is white the other green The White forwards the Green more inward gathering the Balls which Balls are small and made of Cloth that by the sound of the fall into the Box may not be judged into which 't is cast and before he casts in the suffrage giver must shew that he hath but one Ball and also tell the name of that Gentleman who stands for those that perhaps have not well heard who 't was do it many times over again He that would exclude the Stander casts the Balls into the Green Box and he that would have him chosen casts them into the White Box which are made in such a Form that none can discern into which of the Boxes they put their Balls The Procurators of Saint Mark never enter into this Great Counsel Except at the Election of the Duke but stand under the Lodge with the Master Officers of the Arsenal while that great Counsel is gathered together for its Guard dividing among themselves those dayes whereon they ought to have this Charge But of these things for further satisfaction we referr the Reader to such who treat of them at large herein intending only to glance briefly at the most remarkable things This great Hall is seventy three foot broad one hundred fifty foot long and was begun in the year One thousand three hundred nine On its walls were drawn by the most excellent Painters of that Age the victories of this Commonwealth Its Princes with many other famous Men of Italy which being spoyled by the smoak of that Fire which happened in the year 1577. in liew thereof was Painted the History of Alexander the third chief Bishop of Rome and Frederick the Emperour with the subjection of Constantinople to the Venetian Republique The Floors are wonderful neat Towards the East is seated the Throne of the Prince over which is a Paradise Painted by the hand of Tintoretto which was formerly Painted by Guariento and fils up all that Front In the Front over against that within a square of Marble is an Image of the Holy Virgin holding in
concur in the rendring it a rich City t is full of regard and filled with Merchandize and a haughty self-conceited sort of men but better illustrated by their gratious and loving Women who flourish are free and most pompous in their array It is adorned with sumptuous and magnificent Fabricks among which the most conspicuous are the publick Palace the Piazza and the Domo with its Tower wherein is a large Bell of fair and open Architecture with two regardfull Chapels one dedicated to the blessed Virgin all over garnished with excellent pictures the other to Saint Mark no less beautified with gilt Images Two other not able things this Church owns to wit that Wooden crucifix which in Anno 144â—… was cast into the Fire by a certain man called Giovanni Alchini of the faction of Gibellina Bergamesca which would not burn but is still preserved with the one side a little singed in a particular Chapel with great Veneration the other is a Key of San Bellino which hath the foretold miraculous curing virtue of such as are bit by madd Doggs In the same Church are conserved certain trophies of Banners and a Lanthern of a Gally taken together with the Gally in a Naval fight against the Turks by a Preacher of the most noble Family of Zurly during the fight being set at the head of the Gally Besides the above named Fabricks and things worth seeing in this City two Hospitals are valuable One for the infirm the other for the decrepit and outcasts the sacred Mount of Piety is well endowed and governed with great providence by the publick to supply the necessities of the City and Country There is also a noble Academy for Students who under the name of Sospinti employ themselves in good exercises with an impulse of generous emulation Distant a quarter of a mile from the City stands towards the Castle a magnificent Temple of great devotion named Santa Maria della Croce of an admirable Structure and adorned with many rare Pictures To this noble and fair City though Little as little best corresponds with little belongs a small but most fertil Territory washed all over with current and Christalline waters which affords the City good Fish as Lobsters Trouts Gudgeons and Eels and the Country an enriching of their soyl by overflowings whereby it yeelds great plenty of Corn and Grass the first whereof they have for their own use and other Cities and with the second they make incomparable cheese But that wherewith it most abounds is Flax which after made into the finest Drapery is spent all over Italy In its territories though small are contained fifty four Villages and Towns the chief whereof are Monte dine Stanengo Camisano Tetrore Vaiano Bagnelo Madegnano being all most populous The Original of this City was taken from its situation for being invironed then with the three Rivers Ada Oglio and Serio it was very strong and that strength as is believed invited many noble men of the neighbouring Cities in the time of the Wars of Albonio King of the Longobards to retire themselves thither and from Cremete one of the chief of those Nobles it took its name For Forty yeers it maintained it self in liberty but then she with the other Cities of Italy suffered shipwrack being by the Longobards Frederick Barbarossa and others many times taken burnt sacked and destroyed and subjugated sometimes to the Emperors sometimes to the French and sometimes to the Germans But now t is governed by the most Serene Republick of Venice under whom it hath the privilege to keep every yeer a Fair beginning at the end of September being frequented with innumerable concourse of People divers Merchandizes and Commodities and great store of Cattle of all sorts It ever was the Mother of illustrious persons as well learned in all the sciences as famous Captains eminent Engineers Generals of Armies writers of Histories as well Moral as Divine Prelates of the greatest Negotiations and Cardinals some whereof have possessed the Pontificial Chayr MILAN the great MIlan was an antient and illustrious City and for a long time through its beauty remained an imperial Seat Behind its shoulders rise those Mountains which separate Italy Before it is a long and spatious Plain which extending it self above 200. miles reacheth the Church lands between Rimio and Pesaro on the one side and Istria and Osia on the other side Whereof Polibius writes thus There is a plain between the Alps and the Apennines of a triangular Forn wherein are pleasant Fields above all the Fields not only of Italy but all Europe Of which Triangle the Apennines form one side the Alps another and the Adriatick Sea or Gulf of Venice as it were the basis to the other two makes up the third side And although Milan was heretofore a small Town it was nevertheless much aggrandized and amplified by Belovese King of the Galls having environed it with a Wall 24. foot broad and 64. feet high which compassed in all the Streets and round of the City in which Wall were raised 130. Bulwarks and Towers of immense bigness and heighth which had six principal Gates This was effected 270 yeers before Brenta King of the Senoni fell down into Italy who threw down and levelled it with the Foundations But the Roman Senate having restored it to its first form and beauty and being increased in Riches and People Attila King of the Hunns descending into Italy ruined it once more Afterwards t was again rebuilt by the Arch-Bishop Eusebius rearing the Wall again and re-edifying the ruinated Building And one hundred yeers after that is in Anno Salutis 577. the Goths exercised so great cruelty towards the Milanesi that after they had cast down the Walls and Edifices they in one day slew thirty thousand Citizens This City was likewise ill treated by Erimberto Brother of the King of France and by Federick Barbarossa the Emperor who with intendment of its perpetual desolation ploughed sowed it w th salt but being afterwards reconciled to the Citizens he restored it to its former beauty encompassing it round with a wall wherein were set out six principal Gates At which time viz. in the 1177. year the circnit of it was six miles without the suburbs but now there is a Wall drawn round which comprehends therein the Suburbs also which was done by Gonzaga Lieutenant of the Emperor Charls the 5th and is in circumference ten miles having very deep Fosses or Ditches and ten Gates This City before the coming of Belloveso as is aforesaid was but a Town called Subria built by the Tuscans then Belloveso coming from Gallia beat out the Tuscans aggrandized and much beautified the Town As to the name Mediolano as formerly called diverse are the opinions some say t was so called for that it was seated between two Rivers the Adda and the Tesino Others say that name was imposed on it by Belloveso by the command of the Gods giving him to understand that he should
Counsel or other footsteps or honour of republique and commanded that her Palaces should be raised that she should be an habitation for husbandmen only and frequented by none but libertines Factors and other the viler sort of artizans In this deplorable condition lay Capua above one hundred and thirty yeers and her Champain Campania was the Romans publick to the time of the Consulship of C. Caesar who by the favour of the Julian Law made against the will of the Senate and nobility consigned his part by one and one to his Souldiers and first surrounding her with walls made her a Colony as appears from the Fragments of Julio Frontino when as from a resurrection she began and continued to flourish under the Emperors in the power of the Romans till she was taken and distroyed by Gensericus King of the Vandals who driven out by the Ostrogoths they possessed her and they expelled by Narsete he restored her but at last she was again ruinated and wholly destroyed by the Longobardi But t is not known in what time this new Capua rise out of the ruines of the old nor by whom transplanted at two miles distance although most likely that the Citizens driven away and dispersed by force and through fear of the barbarous at last retired themselves thither and pian piano by little and little out of the ruines of the abandoned Capua founded their new habitations the new Capua lying on the banks of the Volturnus is now a great and powerfull City whereof Julius Caesar Scaliger the Poet sings no lesse biteing than obscure in these verses Plammeasi valeat superare superbia fastum Pinguem luxuriam deliciosus amor Hoc mollem pinges Capuam Capuaeqne colonos Et quae alijs visa est nec sibi meta fuit Capua was the Metropolis of eleven famous Cities in Campagna which as also Carthage and Corinth Cicero esteemed so potent and rich as that he thought either able to sustain the greatnesse of the Roman Empire Hannibal writing of her to the Carthaginians saies that after Rome she had the second place in Italy AVERSA THe Road to Aversa lies through the Campagna Stellata and thence by the Leborina Pandolfus Collenutio the writer of the Neapolitan history affirms that t was at first called Adversa for this reason because the Normanni having planted and fortified their quarters in the ruines of old Attella against Capua and Naples founded in the midst of the way the beginning of this City to the end that from so convenient a place they might abate the force of two such potent Cities Having passed the River Liris you go through Campania the which as well in its abundance of Fruit Corn wine and oyl as in the frequenzy pleasantnesse and largeness of the Champain far surpasseth all the other provinces of Italy t is a Land which voluntarily receives the Iron and permits not it self to be broke up in vain but seems studiously willing to afford the Labourer the greatest usury t is named Terra di Lavoro and La Campagna and all the way from Capua to Aversa with good reason was called by Pliny Leborina quasi Laborina a Field in Campania where the stubble of the Corn is so great that the People do burn it instead of wood as we have it in Coopers Dictionary It hath had also the attribute of happy too which was never given to any other province of the world except to Arabia in the Orient T is therefore no wonder that the Cumani the Opici the Toscani the Samniti and lastly the Romans could not despise so great riches and plenty of all things In particular the Pianura Stellata is so fat and fertile that with good reason it holds the chief place in Italy for abundance of all sorts of fruits which the inhabitants call Campagna St ellata from that propitiousness of the stars it enjoyes Cicero in his orations stiles it the most beautifull Champain of the whole world Hence they fetch their Victuals for the Roman armies and this Caesar who then prepared his way to the Empire by gifts divided amongst twenty thousand Roman Citizens Here the Samniti to the number of three hundred and sixteen thousand were cut in pieces by Lucius Vetturius and Appius Claudius Roman Captains Here they make Macheroni in excellency a sort of eating composed of pieces of past boiled in water and put into a dish with butter spice and grated cheese upon them and here properly grows the Vino Asprino which is drunk at Rome with so much gusto in the great heats ATTELLA DE GLIOSCI THe old Attella was a Castle built by the most antient people of Osci t is a famous Castle and celebrated by all for the Satyrick lascivious ridiculous and sharp stories there rehearsed and thence stiled Attellane which afterwards with their facetiousnesse acquired such authority that from the mumming place of that Castle they mounted even the Roman Theatres at present both the Land and Towns can boast of nought save some Gentlemens and Lords Palaces there lately erected more of of it will be spoken under some Mediterranean places NAPOLI NAPLES AFfter eight miles travailing from Attella you arrive at Naples where in every corner as well within as without the City you behold as well beautifull places as proud Palaces made with great art and infinite expence This City is maritimate on the Mediteranean shore and spreadeth it self into a large circuit scituate among most pleasant hills lying on the north and east parts and on the south and west parts the Sea from whose port without the least impediment in a serene season may be clearly seen the two promontories Miseno and Minerva as also the Islands Capreas the delight of Tiberius Ischia and Prochyte of old so much celebrated by Srabo Virgil and other Authors who unanimously agree that the neighbouring people the Cumani built it and that t was called Parthenope from one of the Syrens there interred They write thatafterwards she was transplanted by the said founders for that seeming to them to flourish too much and to increase from the fecundity of the soyl they feared she might one day get the possession and into the room of their adjacent Mother Cuma for which fact they relate that the Cumani groāing under a most heavy pestilence were advertized by the Oracle that the means to pacifie that great affliction and disgrace was for them to reedifie the City and annually to honour with sacrifices the Sepulchre of the Goddesse Parthenope wherefore she was restored and rebuilt and thence t is inferred shee was called Napoli by a greek word there are also others and divers opinions about this matter as Licofrone Calscidese who in his Alessandria calls Napoli mano di Falero and Isaac Tzetze adjoines his interpretation that Falerus the Tyrant of Sicilia built Naples in Italy and that because he cruelly tormented and slew its strangers of what sort soever thence the story grew that the Syren Parthenope dyed
Arno 1 To San Cassiano 1 To Le Tavernelle 1 To Sagia 1 To the City Sienna 1 To Lucignano 1 To Tornieri 1 Pass the River Orcia to Scala 1 Pass a rivolet and then ascend the Mountains to Radicofani a Castle and good Inn 1 At the foot of the Mountains pass a Rivolet To Pontecentino there pass a Rivolet troublesome in rainy weather 1 Thence a little pass the Paglia by bridge To Acqua Pendente of the holy Church 1 To the City Bolsena 1 To the City Monte fiascone 1 To the City Viterbo 1 To Ronciglione 1 To Monterossa 1 To Baccâ—…na 1 To Storta 1 To the City Rome 1  Posts 26. Posts from Fossombrone to Perugia At Fossombrone pass the River TO Quaiana 1 To Cantia pass the hills 1 To the City Giubileo 1 To the City and university Perugia 1  Posts 4 Posts from Rome to Venice The City Rome posts TO Prima Porta 1 To Castel a new Castle 1 To Rignano pass the Tyber 1 To Civita Castellana 1 Repass the Tyber  To Otricoli 1 To The City Narny 1 pass the Tyber again to the City Terni then to Strettura 2 To Prote and to Sant Horatio 2 To Pontecentemsio and the City Nocera 2 To Gualdo and to Sigillo 2 To Sheggia 1 To Cantiana Acqualagna 2 To the City Urbine the state of that Duke and a Sea Port 1 To Foglia to Monte Fiore 2 § To Coriano and to the City Rimini 2 To Bellaere and Cesenatico 2 To Savio and to the City Ravenna 2 To Primaro to Magnavaca 3 To Volani 2 To Gorro pass there the Po 2 To Fornase repass the po 2 pass the River Adice 1 To the City Chioza 2 There embarque for Venice 3  posts 40. posts from Rome to Bolonia through the province Romagna The City Rome  § KEep the same posts as above till arrived at this mark that is to the City Rimini 21 To Savignano 1 To the City Cesena 1 To the City Forli 1 To the City Faenza pass the river Lamone 1 pass the river Senio to Imola  pass the River Santerno 1 pass the rivers Salerin and Giana 1 To San Nicolo 1 Pass the rivers Adice and Savona 1  posts 29. Posts from Rome to Perugia THe City Rome pass the Tyber to Prima Porta 1 To Castel novo Castello 1 To Rignano pass the Tyber 1 To Civita Castellana 1 Pass the Tyber to Ottricoli 1 To Narni pass the Tyber 1 To the City Terni 1 To Strettura and to Proti 2 To Sant Horatio 1 To Santa Maria de gli Angeli 2 To Perugia a City and University   posts 12 Posts from Perugia to Florence The City Perugia  TO Tortè and Orsaia 2 To Castello Nartino and to Bastardo 2 To Ponte allè Valle 1 To Fichini and to Treghi 2 To Florence passing the Arno 1  posts 8. Posts from Milan to Pesaro From Milan you must go to Bolonia the way and posts whereto you have before 16 pass the rivers Savona and Adice 1 To San Nicola 1 pass the river Salerno to Imola 1 pass the river Santerno then the Senio 1 In the City Senio pass the Amone 1 To Forli 1 To Cesena and then to Sevignano 1 § To the City Rimini 1 To Cattolica 11 To the City Pesaro § 26 posts from Milano to Urbino From Milan keep the above written posts to the City Rimini 24 To Coriano 1 To Monte Fiore 1 To Foglia an Hostery 1 To the City Urbine 1  posts 28 Posts from Lucca to Genoua AT the City Lucca pass the River Serchio A Mazaroso in which stage you leave theterritory of Lucca entring the Florentine 1 To Pietra Santa 1 To Massa del Principe 1 pass the River Versiglia to § Sarezana a City of the state of Genoua 1 pass the River Marca to Lâ—…rci whence you may pass to Genoua by water as well as Land 1 To San Simedio 1 To Borghetto and to Manterana 2 To Biacco and to Sestri 2 At Sestri you may imbarque also for Genoua being five posts by water but in an ill season pass on by Land  pass the River Lugna to Chiavara pass the River Sturla 1 To Repalo and to Recco 2 To Bolignasco pass the River Besaâ—…na 1 To Genoua a City and Sea Port 1  posts 15 Posts from Venice to Genoua by the way of Parma At Venice imbarque for Lizafusina 8 To Padoua pass the River Brenta 1 A Estè 2 At Montâ—…gnana pass the River Lagnâ—… 1 To Bevilacqna 1 Passe the River Daniello to Sangonâ—…to Verâ—…nese 1 Pass the River Tanaco To Castellaro pass the Teyone 1 To Mantoua pass the Mantouan Lake 1 To Borgo Forte 1 To Mora pass the Po 1 To Guastallo a Principality 2 To Borsello pass the River Lenza 2 To Parma pass the River Parma 1 To Fornonovo on the River Parma 2 To Borga di val di tarro 2 Pass the Hills the Marca the River Pogliasco To Varasi and to Sestri 2 Pass the River Lavagna To Chiavari pass the Sturla 1 To Repalo and to Recco 2 To Bolignasco pass the Besagna 1 To Genoua City a Sea Port 1  Posts 27 Posts from Milan to Genoua To Binasco 1 To Pavia a City and Colledge pass the Ticino 1 pass the Rivers Gronolone and the Po Pancarana and to Voghera 2 Pass the Stafora and Curone to the City Tortona pass the Scrivia to Bittola 2 To Seravalle and to Ottagio 2 Ascend the Zovo andgo down it To Pâ—…nte Decimo 2 Pass the River Soseria to Genoua 1  posts 11 Posts from Genoua to Venetia by Piacenza and Mantoua The City Genova pass the River Seria To Ponte Decimo 1 Ascend and descend the Zovo To Ottagio 2 Near Gavio pass a small stream To Seravalle a Castle of the Milanese 1 To Betola 1 To the City Tortona 1 pass the Stafora to Voghera 1 pass the River Coppa To Schiatezza pass the River Versa 1 To Stradella 1 Here you quit the Territory of Milan and enter that of Piacenza to the Castle St. Gioanni 1 pass the Riuer Tidone To Rottofrenoa Castle 1 pass the River Trebia to the City Piacenza 1 pass the Rivers Nuro Relio Vezeno and Chier all in one stream and near Cremona pass the River Po To Cremona a City of the state of Milan 3 § From Cremona to Venice you will find the posts in the journy from Milan to Venice by Cremona and Mantoua marked as is here marked 14  Posts 29 posts from Milan to Guastalla The City Milan pass the river Lambro to Merignano 1 To the City Lodi and to Zorlesco 2 To Pizighitone Castello pass the Adda 1 To the City Cremona 1 To plebe di San Giacomo 1 To Volti 1 § To Casal Maggiore 1 To Barsello and to Guastallo 2  posts 10 Posts from Milan to Corezzo by the aforenamed way The City Milan  § Take the foregoing posts from Milan to Casal
was comissionated thither for the City of Bolognia In those dayes the Republicks Library flourished in this City with infinite cōcourse of Forein Nations abounding with the most worthy Professors in all the sciences and Arts which it appears continued to the yeer 1228. In which yeer Federick the second being exalted to the Empire an extream Enemy to the Pope and Cities of Italy after many ruines whch he brought on others in the yeer 1236 burnt and destroyed Vicenza exercising his greatest cruelty against the most potent Citizens which reduced it with great ease under the wicked Tyrant Eccellino continuing so until his death when waving and debilitated it by degrees crawled up the steps of its Antient Liberty yet not so strongly but that after 46 yeers it underwent by the Citizens neglect the Signory of the Scaligeri who there governed under the shadow and name of an Empire and that title not improperly taken for that Can Grande at that time their head was a most valiant and potent Lord. Vicenza was well treated under their government and many publick Edifices restored but the wheele of Fortune running round and the Line of those Lawfull Signors extinct Antonio the last of them and illegitimate was first deprived of Verona then of Vicenza by Gio Galleazze first Viscount of Milan by whom it was held very dear and so much honoured for its fidelity that he made it the Chamber of his Empire He dead Catarina his Wife distrusting her own ability to maintain so great Dominions by her Letters full of Courtesy absolving their Oath of fidelity gave the Vicentines ample Liberty to elect their own Government who after divers consultations and many solicitations to colleague themselves with the Switzers and to become one of their Cantons having at large supervised the great calamities of the passed times and fearing future miseries At length the Advice of He◅rico Capra a wise and esteemed Citizen of great Interest both for his many adherents and riches prevailed to surrender themselves of their own free accords to the Republick of Venice whose pleasing Goverment was then become famous through the whole world Who accepting with all Gratitude this their free offer confirmed unto them all such Jurisdictions Statutes Prerogatives as they knew how to demand and in particular the Consularship the most Antient Magistracy of this City and received it into protection styling it the first Born and most faithfull City under whose Signory it hath ever since continued dayly encreasing both their Wealth and conveniences Yet notwithstanding at the Inroad of Gi◅radada the State of Venice though unwillingly gave way to the Signory of the whole firm Land by which means Vicenza fell into the hands of Massiminian the Emperor who sent thither Leonardo Trissino to receive possession thereof as Vicar of the Empire which he performed there as also in Padoua Who with Vicentia through the great affection they bore the Republick of Venice and the singular Prudence of the Venetian Senate within some few yeers after easily returned to their former Obedience under it This City is four miles in circuit in form like the figure of a Scorpion although informer times it had the Reputation of strong from the double Walls which invironed it yet t is neither fortified nor capable of Fortification it being situated at the bottome of a Hill that comands the Town however voluntarily living like the Antient Spartans the Citizens pro◅ess that the Walls of their Breasts suffice to maintain even to the death their Fidelity to their natural Prince which preserves it with safety It is washed by two Rivers Bacchileone by some Latines called also Meduaco Minore and Rerone Ereteno before mentioned together with two other small Brooks Astichello and Seriola which serve them with many conveniences All which united at a small distance from the City form a Navigable River as well upwards as downwards capable of Vessels of a huge burthen who passing by Padoua reach Venice and give the best occasion and reason for the riches of that Countrey They account that it with the Burroughs conteyn 40000. Souls being replenisht with Proud and Stately Palaces Noble Temples and publick Structures built after the modern Architecture the Hall of Justice wherein the Judges assemble to do Justice for its Antient and modern Structure may be compared with any in Italy Upon the highest Tower raised to a Wonder which joyns to it is placed the Horologe which serves all the City within and a mile out of it most comodiously The Piazza most capacious for all their Justings and Turnaments where morn even rēder themselves the Nobility is no less adorned with Open Galleries the Fōrt of the said Palace than with a fayr habitation for the Seignor Capitano and the Fabrick of that mount Piety which is so rich that they lend such sums as the poor Citizens require without any Usurie Besides this which is called Piazza Maggiore there are five other Piazzaes for the publick markets of Poultry Grain Wine Wood Hay Fish Fruits and Herbs And as the Splendidness of the Vicentians Spirits is apparent in profane things so does their Piety and magnificense no less shine in and towards the Divine worship For which they number in the City 50. Churches accounted Stately and beautified with antient and modern Pictures whereof 14. are Parochials 17. of Fryers and 12. of Nuns all well furnished with receptacles and other necessaries for subsistence Among which the Mendicants or begging Fryers by the Charity of the Citizens have no mean Reliefs In the Country are also 3. other Monasteries of Nunns and above 20. of Fryers besides Parochials which are very ample in the Villages They are well stored with Hospitals for the poor of all conditions having nine besides the Confraternities and other retreats of Godly pe◅sons who wait on works of Charity In the Cathedral signal for the good Bishoprick of 12000 Duckats yeerly Revenue besides other Reliq◅es they keep the bodies of the Martyrs Carpoforo and Leoncio Vicentines And in the Church of Santa Corona of the Dominican Fryers one of the thorns of the Crown of the Saviour of the World given in the yeer 1260. by Lodovico or Lewis the Saint King of Franee to Bartolomeo Breganze Citizen and Bishop of Vicenza It received the Light of the Faith of Christ by the teaching of Saint Prosdocimo first Bishop of Padcua Saint Paul yet living Near the Domo stands l'Oratoria de Madonna or the Oratory of our Lady raised by those of that confraternity in imitation of that of Rome which possibly in magnificence and beauty it surpasseth It s State under the Venetian Dominion is such as certainly no City under their power hath greater privileges The Consul the most antient Jurisdiction of this City judging all Criminal Offences and its own Citizens all other civil Causes For which end the Council chuseth a round of four Doctors and 8 Laicks which change by fours every month These form the
holy conversation of whom nine are Canonized and two held for Saints Moreover from this excellent Country have Issued 6. Martyrs 13. Confessors 14. Men Saints and 7. Women It hath 179. Churches that is 33. for the Company of Laicks 3. Abbacies 2. Prepositors 2. for the Regular Priests 24. for the Fryers 23. Monasteries for Nuns 10. Hospitals 5. Priorates 2. Collegiate Churches and the Doâ—…o which is consecrate to Saint Peter and giveth the title of Prince to its Bishop with a great Revenew with many other Churches which are either Parochials or Oratories The Univerfity was placed in Bologna by Theodosins the Emperor in the yeer of our Lord 425. and much amplified afterwards by Charles the great and Lotario the Emperor the first Reader of the Civil Laws here was Irnerio induced thither by the said Lotario since when many wise and well-read men in all sciences have proceeded hence in the time of Giovan Andrea the Splendour of the Canon Law and Aâ—…one the Fountain of the civil Law we read there were ten thousand Students in this City Azone saies Legalium studiorum semper 〈◊〉 chiaâ—… tenâ—…it Bononia hence t is that Gregory the 9th directed his decretals to the Univerfity of Bolonia and Boniface the 8th Sisto and 〈◊〉 the 24th the Book of the Clementines The Fabrick of the University is very proud with a large Hall and spatious Courts In the City are many Colleges for several Nations and to speak its praises in one word t is a most happy University and merits that Character which all men give it viz. Bononia docet Bononia mater Studiorum The City contains 80000. Souls among them many noble Families with many titled as Dukes Marqueses Counts Captains of War besides infinite Scholars Its Riches are great and equally divided among the Citizens whence t is that they alwaies preserved a good reputation It fought with Federick Barbarossa and took his Son Enzo Prisoner maintaining him splendidly for 22. yeers It subjugated more than once Forli Imola Faenza Cesena Cervia and other places It gloriously maintained a War against the Venetians for 3. yeers together with an Army of forty thousand men and had some Families very potent as may appear by that of the Lambertazzi who being banished with all its followers out of Bologna in the yeer 1274. they say that what with Men Women and Servants they who by that decree went out amounted to the number of fifteen thousand persons The Burroughs and Suburbs of BOLONIA FOrth of Bolonia towards the West at the Foot of the Mountains is the Church of San Giofesso and the Monastery of the Certonisi Upon the top of the Mountain Guardia is reverenced an Image of the blessed Virgin drawn by the hand of S. Luke Out of the Gate towards the Emilian Way there is a noble Monastery of the Crutched Fryers and towards the South the Church Misericordia where reside the reverend Fryers of Saint Augustine Out of the Gate San Mammolo is a Monastery of the Jesuites and upon the hill is the miraculous Madonna del Monte a Church of the Benedictine Fryars where are the natural essigies of Bassarione and Nicholo Perotto Towards the East is the Church of San Vittore placed among the Hills where Bartolo the most learned Doctor resided 3. yeers as it were unknown near which are stately Palaces Without the City also stands San Michelle in bosco upon a hill with a rich and proud Monastery The Church is garnished with fair Colums Statues and Sculptures of Marble and sumptuous Altars with rare pictures the Quire with excellent Land skips there is a stately Library refectory with excellent Pictures drawn by Vasari among them the essigies of Clement the 7th in the Cloyster lies buried Antonio di Butrio a Doctor of Laws and Ramazzotto a valourous Captain in the Wars Its apportments are excellent Architecture and its gardens most delitious from which Monastery besides the City and Territory of Bolonia you have a full prospect of the pleasant Country of Lumbardy so much commended by Polibius in the second book of his histories as also of those Snowy hills the Alps which appear like Clouds the Adriatic Sea and the mouth of the Poe which runs into the Sea by many branches and likewise of Mantoua Ferrara Imola Mirandola and other surrounding places which seem as so many fair Roses and flowers dispersed over those Fields The Teritory of BOLOGNA TRavailing out of Bologna South-West you meet with the most antient Monastery or Priorate of Santa Maria del Reno whence have proceeded â—… Popes with many Cardinals Bishops Saints and other Religious Then turning on the left hand towards the Apenines and keeping the River Reno on the right you arrive at the Bridge Casaleâ—…chio a little farther you see the Chiesa which is a Wall traversing the Reno from sidè to side to force the Water down a Chanel cut artificially to Bologna for the driving certain Engines and Mils for grindidg Corn for making Vessels of Copper and Arms for War for beating of Spices and Galnuts for twisting of Silks for burnishing of Arms and for edging of divers Instruments â—…orm king of Paper sawing of Planks and divers other Mysteries and in the end to convey the Barks to Malelbergo and thence on the Poe to Ferrara Then you enter the Vale Reno between the River and the Hills which is most productive of all Grains and Fruits in which Valley stands the magnificent Palace of the Rossi a Palace for its capaciousness and delights fit to lodge an Emperor on the Hill near it is the Town Colossina which before you can aâ—…cend you must pass under a Rock by a way cut thorow with Iron on the left hand beholding a prodigious hollow through which the â—…eni passeth Then you â—…ind Panico a Town a long time possessed by the Family oâ—… Panico which at this day is wholly extinct More forward one discovers a fair Plain called Misano and in it certain foot-steps of Edifices and other Antiquities pursuing which way you arrive at the Town Vergata the seat of the Captain who hath Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants of the adjacent Villages and is diâ—…ant 15. miles from Bolonia Whenâ—…e travailing on the right hand shew themselves Cesio Barghi and Casâ—…lighone Castles of the Signori Pepoli near whereto are the confines of the Florentine Territories but on the right hâ—…nd along the Banks of the Reno are the Baths of Porretta where from Rocks gush out hot Waters very medicinal whose virtue is manifested to all by the Proverb which saies Chi beve l'acqua della Borrâ—…tta â—… che lo â—…pazza ò che lo netta thence taking the right-handway you enter the Graffignana treated of diffusely before Taking the Way through the Gate Galliera towards Ferrara you meet Corâ—…icella then pussing the Bridge over the Reno you see San Georgio a Castle ten miles off Bologna where leaving the Castles Cento and Pieve on
testifies in the 15th book of his Annals whose vast foundations remain to this day under their old name neare the Temple of Venus That of Pompey they say was on the third Mountain between the Avernus and the contiguous Tritullian hot baths whence the surname they yet retain and there some yeers since was found a statue of Pompey The Villa Academica of Marcus Tullius CICERO Pliny in the second Chapter of his thirty first book declares that the Villa of Cicero made so famous by his writings was in these quarters between the Avernus and Pozzuolo upon the Sea shore with a most delicious grove and a spacious hall to walk in wherefore Cicero called it an Academy in imitation of that at Athens wherein they ordinarily disputed walking Here Cicero made his sepulchres and so much was he pleased with it that he often spoke of it and entitled some of his books from it Questiones Academicae Academick questions Atticus being in Athens Cicero in almost every letter recommended his Academy that he might send to him from Greece whatever could be had for ennobling it with fair ornaments wherein Atticus failed not according to the occasions in statues pictures and other the like ornaments Whence Cicero in his Epistle ad Attiticum praiseth his diligence and the things sent him Cicero being retired hither in the calamitous times of the Republique to spend away the time toyl and troubles with Books many of the Principal Romans repaired thither to visit him and take some counsel Of them was C. Caesar after the victory he obtained in the civil warr C. Octavius the Successour of Julius yet before he made himself Emperour with infinite others but after that Cicero was banished the Villa Academica was possessed by C. Antistius who was the Legat of Caesar and followed his faction in the civil wars A little after Ciceroes death in his Villa sprung up fountains of hot water good among other things for the eyes and sight celebrated by Tullius Taureus the freeman of Cicero with an Epigram set down among the works of Pliny who wrote this successe and judged that Epigram worthy of memory We must believe that this Villa stood where now the Stadio is taking that name from the length of Ciceroes hall whose ruines yet remain so distinctly as that it may be measured how long t was and although this Stadio seem to stand too far from the Sea in respect of that we read touching Ciceroes Academy yet this will not create any difficulty since the Sea may be in so long a space of time through divers causes retired because truely this Villa in Ciceroes time stood over water at leastwise conducted from the Sea by certain channels so that he eating at table might cast into the waters for the fish to eat angle and fish at his pleasure The hot fountains are extant in a neere field in a cavern underground at the root of the hill which are also of wonderfull nature because they increase and decrease according to the flowing and ebbing of the sea by day and by night in their increase they cast abundance of water into the bath and when full part of the water returns to the fountain and part runs into the Sea by a certain small chanel or gutter made to that purpose This Bath vulgarly called Bagno Ciceroniano the Ciceronian bath and by phisicians Praetense or Tritulliano is as gallant and entire an antiquity as any in the Tract of Pozzuolo These waters were so soveraign not many years since over most diseases that over every bath was written for what cures t was good of which inscription some letters yet stand but the phisicians of Palermo as they tell the story finding those waters prejudicial to their custom went with instruments expresly demolish't those writings so that for the present they are unusefull the said phisicians being all cast away in their return Thus much shall suffice touching Ciceroes famous Villa for that Leander and other writers treat sufficiently of its nature and others thereabouts From the commencement of Ciceroes Academical questions is comprehended that the Villa of Ter. Varro a most learned Roman was not far distant but the determinate place is unknown The Villa of SERVILIUS VATIA SEneca demonstrates in his fifty second Epistle to Lucullus that on the shore between Cuma and the Lake Avernus stood the Villa of Servilius Vatia the magnificence and vastness of which Fabrick may be comprehended from the fragments yet extant He saies two Caves were here built with great expence into the one whereof the Sun never entred and on the other it shone from morning to night into which ran a delicious water through as pleasant a Meadow with many Fish Hither Servilius a noble and rich Man retired himself at such time as Tiberius Caesar afflicted many noble Romans and applyed himself to honest Labour far from Rome in peace for which he was styled happy and obtained the fame of knowledge in his affaires above others by that meanes avoyding dangers Touching the dead and other notable things others have abundantly writ let this therefore suffice for the purpose of the Baianian celebrious Villa's since of the other particulars in the times of those old Roman Princes t is impossible to treat exactly all things being so wholly ruinated and destroyed that scarce any footsteps remain The old City of BAIA The most fair foundations and pitched Piazzaes of the old City Baia lye underneath the waters scarce any fragments remaining on the Land but in the neighbouring Mountains in every corner lye baths hot baths and structures of Admirable Architecture notwithstanding that many great Fabricks were burnt many thrown down by earthquakes and many swallowed up by the Earth In the Sea may be clearly seen the great old Piles of the Port of Baia like those of Pozzuolo built of Brick with intollerable expence which now seem like Rocks as do the enclosures and foundations which of old stood for defence of the Lakes Lucrinus and Avernus against the storms of the Sea which was genenerally believed to be made in this manner to wit that Hercules by his strength upon two carts abrest drew as large a peice of Earth as was requisite and that a mile in length to the place and there fixed it and therefore Posterity for a perpetual remembrance and acknowledgement of so great a benefit erected to him a Round Temple near Bauli whereof some fragments yet are extant But afterwards that repair being wasted by the Sea C. Caesar again restored and bettered it as may be collected from Virgils Georgicks and from Servius his Commentator with whose opinion Suetonius seems to accord saying that Augustus perfected the Julian Port near Baia whence t is supposed that Julius Caesar had first setled it which must have been in his first Consuâ—…lship by Commission of the Senate who gave him that charge at the instance of the Receivers of the Customs and Tolls upon their allegation that the
the way that led to Cuma Her bath yet stands and her Chambers painted in Mosaick woâ—…k yet all under ground as most of the aforesaid Antiquities except the Temples are CUMA Leaving the Lake Avernus you find on the way among the ruines of the City Cuma now altogether undone desert great foundations and ruines of Towers Temples and Edifices of importance On the top of the mountain are yet the footsteps of a Temple of Apollo which in its time was infinitely celebrated and is taken notice of by Virgil and Servius his Commentator There is also an Arch built with brick now called Arco Felice the happy Arch of a stupendious high Vault through which the antients wrought an even way between two heads of Mountains Cuma was built by the Calcidensi a Graecian people of Negroponte who being arived in those Seas with their ships to seek out a Country for their habitation first landed in those near Islands called Pitherusa which lye over against Campania and were so denominated from the multitude of Apes thereon found and afterwâ—…rds taking courâ—…ge they passed over into the Terra â—…irma where they built this City Cuma calling her by this name either from one of their Captains so called or from the Procurator in those maritimate Coasts or from its good augury they there met with to wit a woman great with child the which confirmed them in their determination to dwell there as Strabo Dionysius and Livy relate for to all these sences Cuma in Greek considering its significations may be well applyed These people lived a long time governing their Republique with prudence and increased so much that Pozzuolo Paleopoli and Naples became part of their Colony we read that the Cumani were under Tyrants before the Romans expelled their Kings but this happened not through their being subjugated by any but because they chose to themselves a head and chief to obey who after the Greek manner was called Tyranno that is Lord one of which was Aristodemo Malaco elected for his meer valour as Livy and Dionysius Halicarnasseus write for that with a small party he overcame a great nnmber of Tuscans Ombrians and Ausonians enemies of the Cumani and slew with his own hand Arunte the Son of Porsenna their Captain To which Aristodemns say the same Authors Tarquinius Superbus expelled Rome fled for safety and by him being well accepted he ended his daies in Cuma Afterwards the Cumani were overcome and for some time evilly intreated by the Campani saies Strabo but in subsequent times there being no Forts strong enough to resist the Romans all those people were at one instant of time reduced under the said Romans who set a Praefect over the City Cuma for that that people would too obstinately have fought for defence of their Liberty Afterwards that City run retrograde loosing its splendour and inhabitants for that the Romans by their greatnesse measuring their pride possessed themselves of all that Campania or Country erecting therein their luxurious and most sumptuous Palaces which not only obscured Cuma but all the adjacent Cities who being bereaved of their Land first fayled of Inhabitants and at last became desolate yet Cuma was the last of those Cities that underwent this desolation by reason that being built upon a mountain when the Roman Empire began to feel its tottering condition by the frequent in roads of the barbarous Nations into Italy Cuma for the commodity of its site was reduced into a Fortresse which caused Agathia Mireneus in his first book of the Gothick warr to say â—…hat Cuma in his time was very strong almost impregnable through its many grosse Towers walls and other fortifications and that for this reason Totila and Teja Kings of the Goths thither conveighed their Treasure as to a safe and secure place together with their most estimable and dearest things however Narsetes the Legate of Justinian the Emperor after a long siedge made himself Lord of it But at present nought hereof remains save only immense ruines foundations and profound Ditches cut into the hard stony rock with Chisels In the departure from Cuma you often fall upon parcels of the Via Domitiana now interrupted in many places and great Ruines of a stone Bridge raised over the Volturnus Domitian cau sed this way to be made beginning from the Via Appia between Minturue and Sinvessa and so leading to Cuma Statius Papinius in his Hendecasillibi or verses of eleven sillables makes mention of Cuma the above named bridge and a triumphal Arch of Marble placed on the same way whereof no fragments are now to be found LINTERNO And why now called the Tower of the Countrey ON the left hand of the Via Domitiana lye vast ruines of the old City Linternum of old a Colony of the Romans so in the midst of that t was called the Tower of the Countrey Campania which name it seems to have acquired from the places old successe and was ennobled by the remainder of dayes which Scipio Affricanus the Greater spent there after his voluntary banishment from his Countrey Rome Who being ill treated by his Citizens whom with their goods and estates he had defended from their Enemies and made them Lords of Spain and Affrick in disdain of so great ingratitude retired himself to his own Palace in this place that he might deprive his Countrey of himself living of his assistance by this means dealing with her as most ingratefull after his death commanding his body to be there entered expresly forbidding his bones to be transported to Rome as Livy Strabo Valerius Maximus Seneca and many others relate Pliny saith further in the last Chapter of the sixteenth book of his natural History that even to his tâ—…me they found in Linternum of the Olive trees planted by Scipio Affricanus and a â—…irtle of a notable largenesse under which was a Cave inhabited by a Dragon the guardian of Scipâ—…oes Soul from which fable arose this other which the Inhabitants tell of the Monte Massico so renowned for the wines it produced to wit thaâ—… in a certain â—…ave on the said mountain lay a Dragon who slew and devoured all such as approached to him and that t was therefore called Monte Dragone and the Castle standing thereon is called La Rocca di Monte Dragone Iu these quarters is a spring or fountain of which was wont to be sharp or sower water and as t was said would intoxicate â—…ut now it hath the tast of sweet and pure water and hath not the said effect of inebriating but when drunk cures the head-ache SINOPE or SINVESSA UNder the Castle Dragone stood the antient City Sinope first a Colony of the Greeks and afterwards made a Colony by the Romans calling it Sinvessa when they also made Minâ—…nrnum a near City another Colony by occasion of the warr they had against the Samniti in the four hundred fifty seventh yeer after Romes foundation Appius Claudius and L. Volturnius being Consuls the latter
Sublaco which Lakes Tacitus seems to call Simbrivini saying in the 14th Book of his Annals that near them stood the Villa Sublacense of Nero in the confines of Tivoli from which Lakes the Aniene running afterward through woods and mountains falls at last in the plain near Tivoli from high stones with fury and noise then it goes some space under ground and at the foot of the mountain returns all again above ground it runs through the three sulphurious veins called Albule from their white colour T is said and Strabo confirms the water there to be medicinal in drinking or Bathing and Pliny writes that they heal the wounded Nor does the Albule only but also the Albunea above Tivoli consolidate wounds Regarding the Campania of Tivoli about the Aniene you will find huge stones encreased by little and little in long time by vertue of the waters running by and in the bottome of Lakes there you 'l find of hard stones generated by the same means In this confine are many footsteps of old edifices worthy contemplation Tivoli having been a most noble City and well Inhabited through the beauty of its scite the goodnesse of its soyle and the salubrity of the aire which made it be surrounded with the fair Villa's and Lordly houses of the rich persons of that Country although now like Rome and all Italy also it lies waste and ruinated by the various warrs and successes which have destroyed it T is certain that Greeks were the builders of this City but who they were is not certain the writers of the Italian antiquities not agreeing herein yet the greater part say that Catillo was its founder who some say was of Arcadia and Captain of Evanders Navy Others affirm Argivâ—…s the son of Amfiardo the Southsayer after the prodigious death of his Father near Thebes came by command of the oracle with his family and Gods long before the Trojane warr into Italy and by the assistance of the Enotri Aborigeni drove the Sicâ—…li out of that place naming the Castle taken from them Tibâ—…re from his eldest sons name Nor does Pliny much disagree from this though he does not wholly agree with it for in the 16th of his natural History writing of the ages of Trees he saies that in his time there stood 3 Holme Trees by Tivoli near to which Tiburtio the builder of that Castle had received augure to build it But saies he was the Nephew not the Son of Amfiardo and that he came with his two Brothers Lora and Catillo one age before the Trojane warr and that he there caused the Castle to be built calling it after his own name because he was the elder in which opinion Virgil in his AEneides seems to concur but Horatiâ—…s on the other part calls Tivoli the walls of Catillus pursuing the others opinion from which expressions we conjecture that the City Tivoli was before Rome Those of Tivoli held Hercules in reverence above the other idols as Protector of the Graecian people at whose festivity infinite people resorted thither In it was also a Temple for the Sorti lotts or chances no lesse famous for their oracles then that in Bura or in Achaia a countrey of Morea mentioned by Pausanias whence the Poet Statius saies that such was the beauty of the place that even the Sorti Prenestini would have chosen it for giving their answers had not Hercules first possessed the place Thâ—…se are his words Quod que in templa dâ—…rent alias Tyrinthia sortes Et Prenestinae poterant migrare sorores He calls the Sorti Sisters for that good and bad Fortune were reverenced as two Sisters T is thought that Temple under the mountain in the way of Tivoli was that famous Temple of Hercules but this people had another Temple dedicate to the same God yet called Hercules Saxanus as appears by the subsequent inscription found in a Piazza attaqued to a particular house Herculi Saxano sacrum Ser. Sulpicius Trophimus AEdem Zothecam Culinam Pecunia sua a Solo Restituit Eidem Dieavit K. Decemb. L. Tupilio Dextro M. Maccio Rufo Cos. Euthycus Ser. Peragendum Curavit But we cannot conclude with certainty where this other Temple stood yet many agree that t was called Hercules Saxanus in respect t was built with stone differing from the other greater Temple just as the Milanesi called one Hercules in Pietra from the scituation of that Church in a stony place near them Upon the stone ariseth a certain antient round Fabrick without covering built wiâ—…h marble in rare architecture of much esteem which possibly might be the Temple of Hercules Saxanus t is near the Cataracts which augments this suspicion for that the Antients usually placed their Temples consecrate to Hercules near waters long ports and violent falls of waters to the end that Hercules by them esteemed the Protector of the firm Land might cause the water to continue in its limits and not infest the country with inundations the which Statius clearly shewsin the 11th Book of woods speaking of the Villa 〈◊〉 of his Pollius which stood on the sea shore near a port with a Temple of Hercules and another of Neptune neare it whose verses now take Ante domum tumidae moderator caerulus undae Excubat innocui custos laris Hujus amico Spumant Templa salo foelicia jura tuetur Alcides gaudet gemino sub nomine portus Hic servat terras hic saevis fluctibus obstat He feigns also in his third book that Hercules having layed aside his arms laboured much in preparing the foundations of his Temple in that place and with great strength prepaâ—…ed the instruments for digging the earth for thus the Pagans or Gentiles beleived viz that Hercules during his life went through the world operating for the publick good of Mankind what ever was difficult or laborious to be effected as not only in the taming and killing of Monsters â—…emoving Tyrants reducing unjust Lords to the terms and conditions of Justice and chastising the bad and evil ones But also in building of Castles and Cities in desert places ports and securities for shipping on dangerous shores reducing bad and irksome waies into good changing the chanels of damnifying Rivers breaking the course of the waters where requisite for preservatioÌ„ of the firm Land setling peace between disagreeing nations with just Laws opening the method way of dealing and negotiating between people far eloigned from one another and insum reducing into a state of civility such as were wilde and fierce wherefore they built him Temples created him a God and devoutly honoured him giving him several surnames according to the diversity of the places where they adored him or the quality of the benefits which the people held they received from him or according to some great work which they supposed he had done Whence the western parts of the world had Hercules Gaditani when on the north side of the straight called of old Fretum Herculeum was Mount Calpe on the South
Sea this fish bears a great price in May or June as also of the sword fish particularly at Messina which t is written they cannot take unlesse they speak Greek and to say no more both the Seas and the Rivers abound with all sorts of excellent fish They have also in divers places many baths of hot cool sulphurous and other sorts of water usefull and advantagious in several Infirmities but those are in the River Sen◅ntina near the Cities Sacra and Himera are salt and un wholsome to drink We will not speak of the Fountains of sweet water that are found over all Sicilia and many Rivolets accommodated as well for the life of Man as the enriching their Lands by the overflowing And to speak in brief this Island is not at all inferiour to any other Province either for its fatnesse or abundance but somewhat exceeds Italy in the excellency of their grain saffron honey Beasts skins and other sustenance for the life of Man in so much that Cicero not improperly called it the Granary of the Romans and Homer said that all things grew there of their own accord and therefore calls it the Isle of the Sun Sicilia is likewise admirable for the fame of those things which told exceed our beleef as the Mount Etna Mongibello who sending forth continual fires from its bowels hath not withstanding its head on that part where the fire issues deeply covered in snow to the midst of Summer Not far from Agrigento or Gergento is the Territory Matharuca which with assidu al vomiting of divers veins of waters sends forth a certain Ash coloured Earth and at certain times casting out an incredible Mass of that Earth the one and the other Fields may be heard to roar In Menenino is the Lake Nastia called by Pliny ◅fintia where in three eddies you behold boyling water which alwaies gurgles with an egregious stink and somtimes spues up flames of fire hither antiently resorted all such as through their superstition were to be sworn to any thing It hath likewise in sundry other places divers other Fountains of admirable Qualities and nature for an ample account whereof the reader is referred to Thomaso Fazellio to the end we may abridge our relation here Sicily was inhabited by the Cyclopes which is verified besides what Authors affirm by the bodies of immense bignesse and heigth which in our daies are seen in the Grots or Caves Those Cyclopes being monsters of Men or Gyants whom the Sicani succeeded and them the Siculi or Sicilians Then the Trojans the Candiots the Phenici the Calcidonians the Corinthians and other Greeks the Zanclei the Guidii the Sarasini the Normans the Lombards the Swedes the Germans the French the Arragonians the Spaniards the Catalonians the Genouans and at length many Pisans Lucchesians Bolognians and Florentines all which people at several times inhabited divers parts of this Island untill Charls the fifth Emperor took Corona and after a little time leaving it to the Turks all those Greeks that dwelt there transported themselves into Sicilia The People are of an acute and quick wit noble in their inventions and industrious by nature and said to be of three tongues for their velocity in speech wherein their expressions proceed with much grace to facetiousnesse and quicknesse they are held loquacious beyond measure whence the Antients borrowed the proverb Gerrae Siculae the Sicilian bablings Antient writers attribute the following things to the invention of the Sicilians the art of Oratory the Bucolick or pastoral verse dyall making the Catapul◅e a warlike engine the illustrating of Pictures the Art of Barbing the use of skins of wilde beasts and Ryme They are by nature suspectfull envious evil spoken facil to speak Villany and prone to revenge but industrious subtle flatterers of Princes and studious of Tyranny as saies Orosie which at this day does not so generally appear They are more covetous of their own commodities or conveniences then of the publiques and reflecting on the abundancy of the Countrey sloathfull and without industry Antiently their tables were so splendidly furnished that it became a Proverb among the Greeks but now they follow the frugality of Italy They are valiant in warrs and of uncorruptible faith to their King beyond the custōme of the Greeks they are patient but provoked they leap into extream fury They speak the Italian Language but roughly and without the least sweetnesse and in their habits and other customes live after the manner of the Italians MESSINA THat City of Sicilia that is most illustrious is Messina built with the ruines and reliques of the City Zancla at a thousand paces distance from hence came Dicearchus the hearer of Aristotle the most celebrious Peripatetick Geometritian and eloquent Oratour who wrote many books whereof Fazellius makes mention and Ibicus the Historian and the Lyrick Poet and in the memory of our Fathers times lived there Cola the Fish born at Catana who leaving human society consumed the best part of his life among the fish in the sea of Messina whence he acquired the nick name of fish Hence came also Giovanni Gatto of the preaching order a Philosopher Divine and famous Mathematician who read in Florence Bologna and Ferrara and was afterwards elected Bishop of Catano and lastly hence came Gio Andrea Mercurio a most worthy Cardinal of the holy Church Here stood the City Taurominio which gave birth according to Pausanias to Tisandro Son of Cleocrito who four times overcame in the Olympick Games and as many times in the Pythick and Timeus the historian son of Andromacus who wrote of the transactions in Sicilia and Italy and of the Theban warrs CATANA IT hath also the City Catana one part whereof is washed by the Sea and the other extends it self to the foot of the Mountains where antiently was the Sepulture or burying place for famous and illustrious persons as of Stesicorus the Poet Himerese Xenofane the Philosopher and of two young Brothers Anapia and Anfinomo who the fire of AEtna raging and burning all the Countrey round took up upon their shoulders the one his Father the other his Mother but being disabled by the weight to proceed with speed and the fire overtaking them and at their very feet yet lost not their magnan imity and courage but when almost in despair the fire on a suddain divided it self before them and so they miraculously escaped safe In this City is a Colledge for all the sciences but most particularly they here study the Civil and Canon Laws and from her have issued many illustrious persons as Santa Agatha which the Palermitans will call of their City a Virgin Martyr who under Quintiano in the yeer of our salvation 152 suffered Martyrdome for Christ and Carondo the Philosopher and Legislator and he that was reputed the great Magus Diodorus or Liodorus Hence came also Nicolo Todisco called the Abbot or Panormitano the great Cnnonist and Cardinal who wrote so many books of the Canon Laws