from Travels in Italy, Greece and the Ionian Islands By Hugh William Williams [British Painter, 1773-1829] 1820

On entering Piacenza, we met with several carriages, as yet a rare sight in Italy. We were pleased with general appearence of business and active employment amongst the inhabitants, and equally pleased, that we were less tormented by the clamorous importunities of idle mendicants. From the scarcity of stone, of which there is no supply nearer than the quarries at the Lago Maggiore, the houses and buildings are mostly constructed of brick; and (so excellent a teacher is necessity) the enrichments are in many instances made of the same material, and have a good effect. The town house, with its Saxon arches and reticulated brick work, is in effect broad and grand. I can say little, however, in commendation of the colossal equestrian figures of Alexander and Ranutius Farnese which appear in front, further than that they are done in a clever manner. Francisco Mochi was not an artist of transcendent merit...