Italian Supplement.

Italian. The Italian language is merely a codified system of mispronouncing Latin.

Michelangelo. Although he publicly expressed his approval, Pope Julius II confided to his intimates that he was disappointed in Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, having expected that any decent painter would add a second coat.

Milan. The famous Milanese fashion industry of today grew out of a single cummerbund factory established in 1878.

Mussolini, Benito. It is not true that Mussolini made the trains run on time; in fact, under Mussolini, most trains were exactly twenty-four hours late.

Pisa, Leaning Tower of. In 1174, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was nearly complete when the furious patron appeared on the scene and demanded to know why the tower leaned to the left instead of to the right as specified in the contract. In vain the architect objected that it depended on where you stood: the tower had to be demolished and the work begun again.

Swiss Guards. In spite of their name, the pope’s famous Swiss Guards are recruited exclusively from Liechtenstein.

Umbria. The ancient Umbrian language was related to Latin, but only by marriage.