What Giovanni de' Medici and Lorenzo de' Medici, and--even more--what Anna Maria Ludovica de' Medici, who bequeathed to the State these possessions, would think could they see this feverish and implacable pursuit of pence, I have not imagination, or scorn, enough to set down.
Infirm and languid visitors should get it clearly into their heads (1) that the tour of the Uffizi means a long walk and (2) that there is a lift.

You find it in the umbrella room--at every Florentine gallery and museum is an official whose one object in life is to take away your umbrella--and it costs twopence-halfpenny and is worth far more.

But walking downstairs is imperative, because otherwise one would miss Silenus and Bacchus, and a beautiful urgent Mars, in bronze, together with other fine sculptured things.
One of the quaintest symbols of conservatism in Florence is the scissors of the officials who supply tickets of entrance.

Apparently the perforated line is unknown in Italy; hence the ticket is divided from its counterfoil (which I assume goes to the authorities in order that they may check their horrid takings) by a huge pair of shears.

These things are snip-snapping all over Italy, all day long.