TALES OF HUMOUR, GALLANTRY & ROMANCE,

Selected And Translated From The Italian.

With Sixteen Illustrative Drawings by George Cruikshank.

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Original Size

ADVERTISEMENT.

These tales are translated from a variety of authors. The translator has been chiefly led to the task by the hope of composing an entertaining volume out of materials not generally accessible. The works in which many of them are found, are by no means common, and the indelicacy with which almost all collections of Italian tales are polluted, deservedly excludes them from general perusal. Such care has, however, been employed in the following selection, and such liberties taken with the originals, when they appeared objectionable on this account, that it is hoped this little book will escape the censure too justly cast upon Italian works of humour, in general—a censure which falls heavily upon many of the otherwise admirable tales of Boccaccio. While, however, such trifling alterations have been made as appeared necessary, these tales may still justly be considered as fair specimens of the Italian Novella, and like the celebrated collection already alluded to, furnish us with a very lively idea of the early manners of the Italians. Those tales, from which our great dramatist borrowed parts of his plots, and some of his incidents, have a double interest, both from their own nature, and as they illustrate the process by which his genius, "by happy alchemy of mind," turned all the materials which fell in his way to gold. Two or three of this kind have been purposely selected.

CONTENTS

ITALIAN TALES.

THE TEACHER TAUGHT.

THE UNEXPECTED REPLY.

WHO AM I?

THE DEAD RIDER.

THE SKILFUL PHYSICIAN

THE POMEGRANATE SEED

THE FATAL MISTAKE

THE DEAD ALIVE

THE FALSE CHAMPION

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

THERE IS A SKELETON IN EVERY HOUSE.

THE ELOPEMENT.

THE FRIAR ENTRAPPED

ANTONIO AND VERONICA.

BELPHAGOR.

THE SLEEPING DRAUGHT

THE COUNTERPARTS

ITALIAN TALES.

THE TEACHER TAUGHT.

There dwelt in Rome two very intimate friends and relations of the family of Savelli, the one named Bacciuolo, and the other Pietro Paolo, both nobly bom and possessed of sufficient wealth. These young men determined to go and complete their studies at Bologna; one wished to study the common law, and the other the canon law. They accordingly took leave of their friends, and came to Bologna, and assiduously applied themselves to their respective pursuits, which they continued for some time. Now, as you no doubt know, the former improved himself much sooner than Pietro Paolo, for which reason, being now a licentiate, he determined to return to Rome, and said to Pietro Paolo—"Brother, since I am now a licentiate, I have resolved to return home." Peter Paul answered, "I prithee do not leave me here—oblige me by remaining the winter—then in the spring we will go together—thou in the mean time mayest learn some other science, by which means thou wilt not waste thy time." Bacciuolo willingly agreed to the proposal, promised to wait for him, and in order not to lose his time, went to the professor, and said, "Sir, having made up my mind to remain with my friend and relation, I would be glad if it pleased you to teach me some noble science during my stay." The professor answered, that he would most willingly do it. "Chuse which science you prefer, and I will teach it you with pleasure." Bacciuolo then replied, "Worthy Sir, I would learn how to make love, and to set about it." The professor, smiling, answered, "this is a good joke, thou couldst not have hit on a science in which I am a greater adept. Now then go thy ways on Sunday morning to the church of the minor friars—there thou wilt see numbers of fine women assembled, and wilt be able to pitch upon some one that may take thy fancy. When thou hast selected the one, follow her until you find out where she lives—then return to me. This is the first part of my instructions." Bacciuolo departed, and on the following Sunday, going to the church as he had been desired, and eyeing all the pretty women, for there were many, he saw one among them that pleased him much—she being very handsome and