Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-20
5aafseellausous Department..
From the .Ntlo- York .qmerican.


The following is an imitation of well known fable
and which has furnished the plot of many story in
almost every language of Europe.
In the 18th century, the banks of one of the trbu
tary streams of the Pc, stood a castle which ->emed
butt rather to preserve its inmates from sudden preda
tory attacks, than from serious warfare The country
around it was delightful and the stream which washed
It's base, IN other places shallow and sluggish was here
so rapid aud deep, that required the of no orli
lands belonging 10 it were rch and the peasantry in
dustrous, and in addition they were surrounded bv
the territories of powerful abbcs, this castle was little
exposed to war; and its owner thrved the midst of
fertility and plenty. Messer Giovanni who AT the ne
Rod OF our story succeeded TO its Inheritance was re-
markabc, as being descended from series of ancestors
whose as unprcpossessng, their souls were
BRITISH Their object seemed teAaye been TO accumu
late wealth, which of course increased prorressvev in
every succession, while they could number less cnyia
bly, almost every deornty in the particular individuals
OF the race, which falls TO the lot of man. One had
been blind, another owned but one leg one was born
bald another grey, another deaf Another popularity
was, that The inheritance transmitted from son TO
son; and never had there been known children to
nave been born To any OF them, than single son.
Nesser Giovanni fvoured i'm personal opnear
ance than most of his ancestors had bcen for lie was
only hump-backed, from his earliest ycars had
walked with his body bending TO the earth as if with
age Thinking that the time had arrived i'm which it
was most suitable provide an heir for his castle nd HE
gold; and fearful, if he DELAYED much longer so beau
iui family might be lost to the world he cast around
his eyes upon the ncghboring damscs to select IaJ
worthy OF SO distinguished lot Francesca the eldest
daughter OF a noble, but impov ersed kuiglt havinr
the fortune to please him. was i'm spite of her reon
strances If indeed the thought occurred of consult
ing her, hapf installed mistress of the castle. II was
sad that her ier, IN addition 10 relieving himself from
the Charge OF her maintenance stipulated with Messer
Giovanni, though terribly against his will that as bs
i've other daughters successfully grew up Mcsser Giov
an' Shoui receive them as companions 10 his wife I'M
I'll they IN like manner, could be advana-eonslv dis
posed oil. There was, may be imagined GREAT
rejoicing at this happy event. The gates of te st,
were thrown open TO all comers and tables were snr,od
IN handsome order, 10 receive the provisions of these
who had foresight enough to bring them fro,, tle;r
houses There was, however, no lack of dancnc. nc
two vagrant nInstrels performed ft their loiopus Tic
poor bride soon found that she had but little share in the
Joy OF the OCCASION; for hardly was the wedding cee
orated, before the hump backed husband beca,n c., in
toeraby jealous, that he would hardly let her for
moment quit his sight The castle was carefully exo,,
Ined to see that no amorous youth had thrust hi,s,
m to interrupt the matrimonial felicity of Messer Clio
Vann In this ] can hardly blame him; for Fronc;sc.
was young and beautiful, hated her spouse in two 49,
as cordially as II she had been married TO him twenty
years. and had heart naturally tender to kill bv her
irowns well-inade and gallant sutton. After she had
lived IN tins manner for month"; she formed sucb 70
solution as most other ladies in her situation would do
TO take the rst favorable opportunity to bid alden to
castle OF Beauty, as it had been named BY the neirh
oours. One day, as she brooding over the unnco
hprCn
her determination to leave the castle without besownr
on IL an her, her meditations nterrupted nv boT
nuSoands giving her not unplcasng inteiecnce that
nat morning business would oblige him 10 sped ont or
her society. and he spoke, he left tbe an,rtno,t
RcJoiced at her release and at the prosnect oe mot ;
toented for the day by the presence of the od,ous
dresser Giovanni she ran IN great glee, to a window of
the castle which looked towards The roa1 Sho o.r.l
ally watched the hump of her husband rccclino til =
! departed from her view; but imanine her -,
"hen she perceived advancing the castle three min
stel bearing their arps in their hands She shouted
Tor JOY and ran out OF the castle to welcome and n
le n' ney entered singing tvs praises of hospitality
and promising many lay, in reqrital of her c,ene
treatment AS they passed before her. she aImost sb;
ed-they were all hump-backe She rubbed bcr oros
thinking there must be delujion or that tho a. ILL.,
contemplation of her husbands want of svmnnetr
destroyed her perception of it aorether-but in y.i
they were still hump backed. Francisco bowover
soon o'go incur de!ory in listening to their epchant
ing lays OF tournaments and love conrs in ,r;,,o;
their tricks OF hand, graceful gestures as fev rectJ
animated dialogues, and already rncditated the oIb
oner husband hoaTds, generously reccmpence them
when, accidentally lifting her eyes 10 the window sl
saw the OBJECT OF her fears RAPIDLY approacno WI,
can she do-where shall she conceal the wan,larno
bards' He is quickly conine-sonetLipn rnnst he
done, and all herwonanly ingenuity is mi in
10 assist her Luckily in an ADJOINING apartr,c,t s,i
three large jars, usually filled with oil but then anot
winch she thought capacious enough bv little press
! ing, to accommodate the mnstres She pronosad r.
'oen 10 enter-they frightened of their wits with
melancholy Visions of swords and ponards welded n
every thing, and squeezed themselves into tho ;a
upon which she, with haste than care fastened
tne covers Messer Govanni--she had just finished
the --aTrives-states the cause of his re
u ~ DC MS having forgotten to search the particular
apartment where these jars placed. II hastens
10 H. ana Is upon the point of examining the forbidden
repositories, when his wife timely fains and in tI, con
fusion OF recovering her senses lie forrets that b I
any hing further TO search She hardly restored ere
re again departs and she runs TO relieve her capves
ffnlf
oehod m her haste she had pressed do.yn tc covers
OF me Jars SO tight, that the three illstarred mn-
oaIHs "au oeeh sn2thered-Tbcn she indeed mis-
cradle, she wrnng her hands her husband vonM r
rotutp' and what bad she not to apprehend from his re-
sentiment. Fear gives wings TO her invention and nor
ceVing at short distance, ignorant clown She do
termines 70 make him the instrument of her o
softly exclaimed the lady, calling him TO her
~ ardello"-"What docs my lady wisiI2n answered the
clown opening his great eyes in wonder at being caJ
oy the lady, and at the time entering the door
"NardeIio" replied The lady, "you have a strong arm
and sturdy form, and possess doubt not
ing courage. Would YOU dare if 7 gava 30, H.