June 5th-7th. We came by Parma and Piacenza, which I had not before seen fine towns and as far as I could learn, satisfied with the rule of Marie Louise, who is a liberal patroness of arts and science ; but the population is very inadequate to the extent of these towns. Palaces are uninhabited or have become storehouses and manufacturies. Whole streets are empty, and there were not any fine shops, nor the appearance of much trade. The country is well cultivated. I cannot help here noticing that Piacenza, as well as Florence, offer contradictions to a recent assertion of Mr. Croker (with reference to the monument proposed to be erected to the Duke of Wellington) that there are not any equestrian statues in Europe other than of Royal personages. There are two Colossi at Piacenza of Alexander Farnese and another Farnese, and there are two or three at Florence of the Medici family.
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