These tales are translated from a variety of authors. The translator has been chiefly led to task by the hope of composing an entertaining volume out of materials not generally accessible. The works in which many of them are found, and indelicacy with which almost all collections of Italian tales are polluted, deservedly from general perusal. Such care has however, been employed in the following selection, and such liberties taken with the originals, 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. Italian Tales:

The TEeacher Taught

The Unexpected Reply

Who Am I?

The Dead Rider

The Skilfull 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.