A Welsh traveler who lived in Italy during the late 1540's, William Thomas was the first to write an English book on Italy. The present edition is an abridgment of Thomas' original work, including his first-hand report on the Italy of that time, with some immediate history, and omitting a lengthy compilation of ancient and medieval history which he had culled from current books. His account of the land and buildings of the six major states of Italy in the sixteenth century--Venice, Rome, Naples, Florence, Genoa, and Milan--is highly appreciative, as is his briefer commentary on the nature and customs of the people. Each state had its own appeal to Thomas, but all gave him the effect of wealth and sumptuous public splendor.