Eight miles further we went thro' Fiorenzuola, a town like the aforementioned Borgo; and, just without it, cross'd the river Arta, a small river at this time, but in rainy seasons a great water, that covers a broad beach. A long foot bridge of brick here. This day we observed the country we rode thro' to be somewhat like the eastern parts of England, not level, but rising now and then. We saw large fields not divided with rows of trees, and some pastures, and vineyards planted with low vines. The furrows of their plowed lands were flatted, and the ridges not so crooked as with us in England, and make like beds in a garden.
Tartufule are found hereabouts.
Feb. 27. We travell'd still on the Via Aemylia, and after 12 miles riding came to Piacenza. About a mile before we reach'd this place we pass'd between two stone pillars set upon old pedestals with inscriptions, and thereabouts the Guasta or open fields began. We entered at Porta di S. Lazaro, where we received a bollettino, and gave somewhat to the searcher, leaving our fire-arms we took a sign to fetch it again. Assoon as we came to the post-house, we took away our port-manteaus with us to a small inn without the walls, giving a little piece of money to the searcher, who did not ask us for any bolletine we receiv'd when we came into the city. The bolletin was printed in this form.
Porta S. Lazaro Piacenza
Adì. (S. Marco._____1664.
Sigr. Filippo Skippon.)
Del luogo di (Ingleterra)
D'anni_____barba_____
Statura_____
Compagni (tre_____)
Arma_____
Alloggia_____
Parte_____
E và_____
P. Pozzoli eletto nell'ufficio
Del Divieto di Palazzo.
We walk'd about this city, and went to the Madonna della Campania, built in the form of a cross, and richly gilt on the roof.
We viewed the outside of the citadel, which is strong and handsome.
A church belonging to the Canonici Regulares is very neat, and indifferently large. It has a double isle, and the innermost row of pillars was double, and the other row double pilasters. The cloister is large, and hath two fair courts high built, and one portico above another on three sides of each court. The canons habit is a white ferge cassock, and over that to their thighs a plaited linen surplice with straight sleeves for their arms to put thro'. They wear black square caps, as other regular priests do.
The domo is a fair church having a handsome piazza before it, where the corn market is kept.
In another piazza before the town-hall are two very large and stately figures on horseback, curiously made of brass, which were on great pedestals adorned with carved stories in brass, and these two inscriptions,
1. Alexandro Farnesio Placentiae, parmae,
&c. Duci III. SRE Confalonerio perpe-
tuo, Belgis devictis Belgico, Gallis obsidione
levatis Gallico. Placentia civitas ob am-
plissima accepta beneficia ob Placentinum
nomen sui Nominis gloria ad ultimas usq;
gentes propagatur invicto Domino suo Eque-
stri hac statua sempiternum voluit extare
monimentum.
2. Ranutio farnesio Placentiae, Parmae, &c.
Duci IIII SRE Confalonerio Perpetuo,
Custodi justitiae Cultori equitatis, Funda-
tori quietis, ob Opifices allectos, populum
auctum, patriam illustratam Placentia
civitas Principi optimo equestrem statuam
D.D.
This city is large, and the streets of it are indifferently well built. It is well fortify'd with a good wall, a ditch of water, &c. The river Po runs by it. About 1000 French soldiers in the rown, 400 of which were horse.
The duke hath a palace and a theatre here.
English students (Jesuits?) have a college in this city.
We were told, that it is most proper to say the Dutchy of Parma, and the principality of Piacenza.
A white Muscadine wine is made about Piacenza.
This day, Feb. 27. leave being first ask'd of the post-master, we hir'd horses and a guide for 38 julii, and about half a mile from Piacenza, ferry'd the Po, giving a julia a man. The ferry-boat was made of two boats, turned by a stern that guided it as it was carried downwards by the stream; and it was fstened by a rope to another that was fix'd cross the river upon masts in little boats.
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