" FIRENZE, la Bellissima e Famosissima Figlia di Roma" was no mere metaphor of Dante, but a very true title of the First of Modern States.
The cumulative energies of the Florentines had their focus in the corporate life of the Trade-Associations, and in no other Community was the Guild-system so thoroughly developed as it was in Florence. A complete and connected History of the Guilds has never been compiled. The present work is put forth, perhaps rather tentatively than exhaustively, to supply the omission. The subject is a large one, and the founts of information are many and various. I have tasted at many springs and drunk from many wells and my subject-matter has been drawn from the following sources : ( i ) Manuscripts Twelfth to Sixteenth centuries ; (2) Printed matter Books and Periodicals; (3) Letters from Authorities and Friends ; (4) Personal Knowledge of Florence and the Florentines [...]
FLORENCE! La Citta del Fiore! The City of Flowers! At the mere mention of its name visions rise in our minds of all that is beautiful in Art, and all that is...
Some cities in the world are as dear to us as people, but can such a feeling be justified towards a foreign city and above all, towards a city so intensely...
