HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
35 
to make a little island of timber, with a bridge in the form of a raft, where one could go to 
eat, or for pleasure, and when eight or ten people are gathered together thereon, the said raft 
descends to the bottom, leaving the said abandoned ones upon the island : next the island itself 
begins to descend, and slowly sinks for the greater torment of those who find themselves upon 
it. When it is gone a certain distance, it slowly begins to ascend again, and the bridge also 
returns, so that the people should be able to go into the sunshine and dry themselves. I wish 
to make an experiment of another idea equally diverting; when it is made, I will tell your Grace 
about it.’ 1 
During the first half of the sixteenth century a great impetus was given to the study of 
Archivio Storico Lombardo, vol. xv. 
