The _28th_ departing from _Pavia_, we passed the River _Padus_, or _Eridanus_, which is believed to be the biggest river in _Italy_, to _Vogera_, a pleasant village, situated on the river _Stafora_, there we began to take post, and had eighteen stages to _Nissa_: By noon we arrived at _Dertona_, a pretty town, yet not very full of people, by reason of the many wars and intestine quarrels in which it was engaged, belonging to the Duke of _Milan_. In this country I found whole acres sown with _Wood_, and there I saw the _White Poplar_, also _Millefolium flore luteo_, and farther upon the hill _Brotho_ the _Cineraria_, and the _Stœchas Citrina_, _Cotinus Plinii_, and many more fine plants. At night we came to _Alexandria della Paglia_, that is to say, _of Chaff_. When heavy and long wars did arise between the Emperor _Frederick_ the first, and the towns of _Lombardy_, by instigation of Pope _Alexander_ the third, the towns of _Lombardy_ did agree to compile this city out of several villages in the year 1168, and did fortify it the year next ensuing, and call’d it, after the Pope’s name, _Alexandria_; but the _Imperialists_ call’d it _Alexandria of Straw_, which name it doth retain to this day; yet we did not stay there, but rode the same night to _Bellizona_, a strong place, which perhaps formerly had it’s own princes, which did sell it from _Uri_ and his relations, because they could not defend it from the Duke of _Milan_ in the year 1422, and yet it cost a great deal of blood, until the _Switzers_ got it into safe possession in the year 1500. The _29th_ at noon we came to _Ast_, a considerable city belonging to the dukedom of _Milan_, where the King of _Spain_ keeps a garrison, which had just then received the new Governour of _Milan_, and conducted him into the city. Not far off lieth _Carmagnola_, belonging to the King of _France_, and to the Marquisate of _Saluzo_, where is kept a _French_ garrison, as at _Moncalier_, which is very near it, the Duke of _Savoy_ hath a garrison; and so garrisons of three eminent princes lie very near one another. That night we lodged in a pitiful village call’d _Baieron_. The _30th_ we rode thro’ _Racones_ and _Savigliano_, two small villages, and at night came to _Coni_. The last of _May_, after we had broke our fast in a village call’d _Limona_, we came to mount _Brothus_, where we saw many pleasant vineyards; and so by _Tenda_ into another village, call’d _Sorgo_, where we staid all night.