120 that of the rape of the Sabins in Marble; and that of Judith in Brass, holding a Sword in one hand, and Holofernes his head in the other. 10. Looking up from this Piazza to the top of the palace, I beheld the high tower mounted thereupon. It’s a hundred and fifty yards from the ground, and which is the wonder, it hath no other foundation than the wall of the palace and the top of the house; Hence it’s said Florentines have three wonderful towers: one in the air, to wit, this tower: another in the Water, to wit, the fanal of Ligorne: and the third in the earth, to wit, the campanile of Florence, whose foundations are exceeding deep in the ground. 11. Going from the piazza towards the Domo, we were presently stopt by the church of St Michael, a square flat church, whose outside is adorned with rare statues, if not of gold, yet worth their weight in gold. The best are, that of St Matthew in brass made by Laurentius Cion: that of St Thomas in brass touching the side of our Saviour, with great demonstration of diffidence in his looks, is of Andrea Varrochios hand. That of St Peter in marble is excellent for the drapery of it. That of St George in marble is compared to the best in Rome, and hath been praised both in prose and verse: that of St Mark hath so grave and honest a countenance, that Michaelangelo (a competent Judge) stopping one day to behold it, and being asked what he thought of it, answered, if St. Mark had such a countenance
