passing to and fro, and
every Man employ'd in something relating to the Diversions to come; so
that no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might have
pass'd by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window in
the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a Gitarr:
for, by the way, the Inhabitants of Florence are strangely addicted to
the love of Musick, insomuch that scarce their Children can go, before
they can scratch some Instrument or other. It was no unpleasing
Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were not observ'd, resolved
to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of Figures and Postures of
many of these Musicians. Here you should have an affected Vallet, who
Mimick'd the Behaviour of his Master, leaning carelessly against the
Window, with his Head on one side, in a languishing Posture, whining, in
a low, mournful Voice, some dismal Complaint; while, from his
sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less doleful to the Hearers. In
Opposition to him was set up perhaps a Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton
of a Gitarr, battered and waxed together by his own Industry, and who
with three Strings out of Tune, and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would
rack attention from the Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of many
more moderate Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as desirous to be
heard. By this time Aurelian's Servant had taken a Lodging and was
returned, to give his Master an Account of it. The Cavaliers grown weary
of that ridiculous Entertainment, which was diverting at first sight,
retired whither the Lacquey conducted them; who, according to their
Directions, had sought out one of the most obscure Streets in the City.
All that day, to the evening, was spent in sending from one Brokers Shop
to another, to furnish them with Habits, since they had not time to make
any new.

There was, it happened, but one to be got Rich enough to please our young
Gentlemen, so many were taken up upon this occasion. While they were in
Dispute and Complementing one another, (Aurelian protesting that
Hippolito should wear it, and he, on 'tother hand, forswearing it as
bitterly) a Servant of Hippolito's came up and ended the Controversie;
telling them, That he had met below with the Vallet de Chambre of a
Gentleman, who was one of the greatest Gallants about the Town, but was
at this time in such a condition he could not possibly be at the
Entertainment; whereupon the