THE Editor of the HANDBOOK for CENTRAL ITALY is very solicitous to be favoured with corrections of any mistakes or omissions which may be discovered by persons who have made use of the book. Those communications especially will be welcomed which are founded upon personal knowledge, and accompanied by the name of the writer to authenticate them. Travellers willing to make such communications are requested to have the kindness to address them to the Editor of the HANDBOOK, care of Mr. Murray, Albemarle Street.

Caution to TraVELLERS.—By a recent Act of Parliament, the introduction into England of foreign pirated Editions of the works of British authors, in which the copyright subsists, is totally prohibited. Travellers will therefore bear in mind that even a single copy is contraband, and is liable to seizure at the English Custom-house.

CAUTION TO INNKEEPERS AND OTHERS.-The Editor of the Handbooks has learned from various quarters that a person or persons have of late been extorting money from innkeepers, tradespeople, artists, and others, on the Continent, under pretext of procuring recommendations and favourable notices of them and their establishments in the Handbooks for Travellers. The Editor therefore thinks proper to warn all whom it may concern, that recommendations in the Handbooks are not to be obtained by purchase, and that the persons alluded to are not only unauthorised by him, but are totally unknown to him. All those, therefore, who put confidence in such promises, may rest assured that they will be defrauded of their money without attaining their object.—1853.

No attention can be paid to letters from Hotel-keepers in praise of their own inns; and the postage of them is so onerous that they cannot be received.

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
PARIS: A. & W. GALIGNANI AND CO.; STASSIN AND XAVIER.
FLORENCE: GOODBAN.

ROME: PIALE; GALLARINI; SPITHÖVER.

1857.

The Publisher reserves to himself the right of Translation.

(v)

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION.

THE Editor has to observe that the same care has been taken in introducing the latest information into this volume as in the Handbook of Northern Italy; more detailed notices of some of the localities most interesting for their artistic treasures -such as S. Gimignano, Perugia, Assisi, Urbino, &c.-have been given from personal observation.

The Editor is indebted to a friend, who has spent several months during the two last years in visiting the seats of the early schools of painting of Umbria, &c., for much interesting information respecting them; a great part of which may be regarded as new to the English reader.

London, April, 1857.