Eustace, John Cretwode: A classical tour through Italy An. MDCCCII (Vol. 3): 3. ed., rev. and enl (London: J. Mawman, 1815)

CLASSICAL TOUR

Ch. IX.

342
den, where the beauty of the country is enlivened
by the animation of the town, and the fertility of
the soil is redoubled by the industry of its culti-
vators. White villas gleam through the orchards
on every side, and large populous hamlets border
the roads, and almost line the banks of the river.
Such is the scene of comfort and prosperity that
surrounds the Tuscan capital, raised originally
by the genius of liberty, and restored by the
Grand Duke Leopold*. ^Happy will it be forth©
inhabitants, if its charms can resist the blasts
from, hell, which have passed the Alps and the
Apennines, and now brood in tempests over the
Vai d' Arno.
The city itself spreads along the side of the
river which forms one of its greatest ornaments,
and contributes not a little to its fame. Its streets
are well paved or rather flagged, wdder than
usual in southern climates, and its houses in ge-
neral are solid and rather stately. It has several
squares, and many churches and palaces ; so that
its appearance is airy, clean, and sometimes
rising towards grandeur. I do not however think,
that the number of great edifices corresponds
with the reputation of the city, or wdth the figure

* Afterwards Emperor.