ot speak merely of that industry which is seen used
by many in many places in matters of commerce, but of a certain
particular excellence and ingenious virtue which the men of Florence
employ in everything to which they deign to apply themselves, on which
account many, and in particular the Poet of supreme judgment (and
rightly, as is evident), give them the title of Industrious. How great a
benefit this industry has been to Florence, and in what great account it
has always been held by her, is seen from this, that upon it she formed
her body corporate, decreeing that none could become one of her
citizens who was not entered under the name of some Guild, and thus
recognizing that by that industry she had risen to no small power and
greatness. Now Industry was figured as a woman in a light and easy
habit, holding a sceptre, at the head of which was a hand with an eye in
the centre of the palm, and with two little wings, whereby with the
sceptre there was achieved a certain sort of resemblance to the Caduceus
of Mercury; and in the canvas that was beneath her, as with the other
statues, was seen a vast and most ornate portico or forum, very similar
to the place where our merchants resort to transact their business,
called the Mercato Nuovo, which was made even clearer by the boy that
was to be seen striking the hours on one of the walls. And on one side,
their particular Gods having been ingeniously placed there (in one part,
namely, the statue of Fortune seated on a wheel, and in another part
Mercury with the Caduceus and with a purse in the hand), were seen
assembled many of the most noble artificers, those, namely, who exercise
their arts with perhaps greater excellence in Florence than in any other
place; and of such, with their wares in their hands, as if they were
seeking to offer them to the incoming Princess, some were to be seen
with cloth of gold or of silk, some with the finest draperies, and
others with most beautiful and marvellous embroideries, and all with
expressions of joy. Even so, in another part, some were seen in various
costumes trafficking as they walked, and others of lower degree with
various most beautiful wood-carvings and works in tarsia, and some again
with balls, masks, and rattles, and other childish things, all in the
same manner showing the same gladness and contentment. All which, and
the advantage of these things, and the profit and glory that have come
from them to Florence, was made mani