In respect to the latter point, what has already been said about Machiavelli is enough.[3] Loyalty was a virtue but little esteemed in Italy: engagements seemed made to be broken; even the crime of violence was aggravated by the crime of perfidy, a bravo's stiletto or a slow poison being reckoned among the legitimate means for ridding men of rivals or for revenging a slight.

Yet it must not be forgotten that the commercial integrity of the Italians ranked high.

In all countries of Europe they carried on the banking business of monarchs, cities, and private persons.
[1] _The Schoolmaster;_ edn.

1863, p.87.The whole discourse on Italian traveling and Italian influence is very curious, when we reflect that at this time contact with Italy was forming the chief culture of the English in literature and social manners.

The ninth satire in Marston's _Scourge of Villanie_ contains much interesting matter on the same point.
Howell's _Instructions for forreine Travell_ furnishes the following illustration: 'And being in Italy, that great limbique of working braines, he must be very circumspect in his carriage, for she is able to turne a Saint into a devill, and deprave the best natures, if one will abandon himself, and become a prey to dissolute courses and wantonnesse.' [2] _The Repentance of Robert Greene_, quoted in the memoir to Dyce's edition of his Dramatic Works.
[3] See chapter v.
With reference to carnal vice, it cannot be denied that the corruption of Italy was shameful.