ITALY. ffl 



dress. The common people are remarkably sober, obliging to stran- 

 gers, and gentle in their intercourse with each other. As it is very 

 much the custom to go about in masks at Venice, and great liberties 

 are uken during the time of the carnival, an idea has prevailed, that 

 there is much more licentiousness of manners here than in other 

 places : but this opinion seems to have been carried too far. Great 

 numbers of stangers visit Venice during the time of the carnival, and 

 there are eight or nine theatres here, including the opera-houses. 



The duchy and city of Parma, together with the duchies of Placentia 

 and Guastalla, form one of the most flourishing states in Italy, of its 

 extent. The soils of Parma and Placentia are fertile, and produce 

 the richest fruits and pasturages, and contain considerable manufac- 

 tures of silk. The city of Parma is the seat of a bishop's see and a 

 university ; and some of its magnificent churches are painted by the 

 famous Correggio. It contains about 35,000 inhabitants, and Placentia 

 about 25,000. Both are embellished with magnificent edifices. The 

 late duke of Parma was a prince of the house of Bourbon, and son to 

 Don Philip, the king of Spain's younger brother. His court was 

 thought to be the politest of any in Italy ; and it is said that his 

 revenues amounted to 175,000/. sterling a year. After his death, in 

 I8u3, the French took possession of the duchy of Parma. The 

 duchies of Parma and Placentia, are now settled upon Maria Louisa, 

 daughter of the emperor of Austria, and wife of Bonaparte, and after 

 her, upon her son, styled by his father, the king of Rome. 



The inhabitants of Lucca, which is a small free commonwealth, 

 lying on the Tuscan sea, in a delightful plain, are the most indus- 

 trious of the Italians. They have improved their country into a 

 beautiful garden, so that, though they do not exceed 120,000, their 

 annual revenue, amounts to 80,000/. sterling. Their capital is Lucca, 

 which contains about 40,000 inhabitants, who deal in mercery goods, 

 wines, and fruits, especially olives. The vicinity of the grand-duchy 

 of Tuscany kept the people of Lucca constantly on their guard, in 

 order to preserve their freedom ; for, in such a situation, a universal 

 concord and harmony can alone enable them to transmit to posterity 

 the blessings of their darling liberty, whose name they bear on their 

 arms, and whose image is not only impressed on their coin, but also 

 on the city gates, and all their public buildings. It is also observa- 

 ble, that the inhabitants of this little republic, being in possession of 

 freedom, appear with an air of cheerfulness and plenty, seldom to be 

 found among those of the neighbouring countries. 



The kingdom of Etruria is composed of the late grand duchy of 

 Tuscany, the small stato degli Presidi, and the principality of Piom- 

 bino. It is almost surrounded by the papal territory and the Medi- 

 terranean sea. It is extremely fruitful, and well cultivated, produc- 

 ing: great quantities of corn, wine, and oil. The capital is Florence, 

 which, during the reigns of the illustrious house of Medici, was the 

 cabinet of all that is valuable, rich, and masterly, in architecture, 

 literature, and the arts, especially those of painting and sculpture. It 

 contains above 70,000 inhabitants. The beauties and riches of the 

 grand- duke's palaces have been often described ; but, before they 

 were plundered by the French, all description fell short of their con- 

 tents; so that, in every respect, this city was reckoned, after Rome, 

 the second in Italy. The celebrated Venus de Medici, which is 

 considered as the standard of taste in female beauty and proportion, 

 stood in a room called the Tribunal ; but has been carried away bf 



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