Leandro Alberti is not so fruitful as might be expected in his
description of the character of the different cities. A 'Commentario'
(by Ortensio Landi, Venice, 1553) contains among many absurdities some
valuable information on the unfortunate conditions prevailing about the
middle of the century.
To what extent this comparative study of national and local
characteristics may, by means of Italian humanism, have influenced the
rest of Europe, we cannot say with precision. To Italy, at all events,
belongs the priority in this respect, as in the description of the
world in general.
Description of the Outward Man
But the discoveries made with regard to man were not confined to the
spiritual characteristics of individuals and nations; his outward
appearance was in Italy the subject of an entirely different interest
from that shown in it by northern peoples.
Of the position held by the great Italian physicians with respect to
the progress of physiology, we cannot venture to speak; and the
artistic study of the human figure belongs, not to a work like the
present, but to the history of art. But something must here be said of
that universal education of the eye, which rendered the judgement of
the Italians as to bodily beauty or ugliness perfect and final.
On reading the Italian authors of that period attentively, we are
astounded at the keenness and accuracy with which outward features are
seized, and at the completeness with which personal appearance in
general is described.
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