The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-27
TRANSLATED FROM TIE ITALIAN.

IkANSLA1 ED EkOM LIE lALtAN'
At the time when the unfortunate duke
Ludoyco Sforsa governed the dukedom of
Milan, there was in the castle a very great
monkey, which, being peaceful, sportive, and
injuring no one, was not kept bound; but
being left at liberty she went though the
whole castle, and not only in the castle, but
went out into the country houses ofNiaine, Gu
sano and San Giovanni Every one caressed
her and gave her fruit and other things to
eat, as well through respect for the duke as
because she was very peaceful and did thous
and things to produce laughter, without ey-
or biting or injuring any one.
Now among the houses which she fire.
guented the most was the house Of an
old lady who had a habitaton in the par
ish of San Giovanni The good lady had
two sons, of whom one was married, and he
very willingly permitted the monkey to 90
through the house, and always gave it some
thing to eat, and thus he took the greatest
pleasure in the follics the monkey committed,
and he frequently played with her as with a
puppy. The sons, when they saw their moth
er, who was almost helpless, took 50 much
pleasure with this animal, received much joy,
like good and loving sons as they we're and
if the monkey had not belonged to the duke,
they would have purchased it most willingly
for the recreation of their mother Whence
they commanded all in the house, neither to
strike nor modest the good monkey, but that
all should caress it, and give it something to
eat BY this means the monkey was led to
frequent the house of the old lady more than
any Of the neighbors, because she was treat
ed better and found there better food. Yet
she returned every evening to the castle
Now it happened that the good Old lady,
worn out with years being also very infrm,
began to be confined to her bed The sons
waited upon their mother with every care,
and furnished physicians, while medicine and
restoratiyes in any quantity were never want
ing. The monkey, according to her custom,
frequented the house and was led to the cham
her Of the infIm old lady, who seemed to
have great pleasure in seeing the monkey,
AMI began to give it some preserves. 1t is
well known tIiat these animals are naturally
much pleased with sweet things, and especial
ly do they love sweet-meats. Therefore mis-
treSS monkey was almost continually at the
bedside ofthe good old lady, and ate all of
the preserves which the infirm woman did
not; who, being greatly troubled with disease
and consumed with years, after having con-
fcssed herself and received the holy sacrament
Of the church, and the extreme JUNCTION, pas
sed to a better life. Now, while the pomp
Of the obsequies was preparing, according TO
the custom Of Milan, the ladies washed the
dead body, and with cap and ribbons adorn- |
cd the head as she was wont, and then robed
her. The monkey was present at the whole
scene. When the body was clothed it was
placed upon funeral bier nor ddi remain |
long before the priest came, ard with the |
usual ceremonies around the bier, the Office |
ool,l,r,tnl md +bo,, l.,
they bore it to a church-yard not very far
Of,
While these things were being done, mis-
tress monkey continued to empty the box
cs and vases which were upon the table,
And when at her ease she had filed her body
a strange caprice entered her head, as it often
happens, of doing those things which similar
animals do She ha |, as | have said, seen
them dress the head of the dead body, when
they wished to place her on the bier There
fore the monkey took the cap, and the rib
bons which were left upon the bed, the same
with which some of the finest women dressed
the old lady, and she began to deck her head
with the remaining ribbons and cap, in
manner which appeared very much as if
she had thus dressed herself for a hundred
years. Then she laid down in the bed, COW
cred herself with care, and it appeared at
once that the lady still rcposed in the bed.
The servants went up to clean the cham
Der and putin order the things therein ; but
as they saw the monkey in the bed it APP
peared to them without doubt, that they trjl
ly saw the dead body Therefore dreadfully
disturbed and affrightod, they sent forth a
cry, and descended in great fear
declaring that the dead lady was in bed,and
appeard just as she used to. The two broth
ers, with several of their kindred, had Just
from church. They assembled the
stairs together and entered the chamber, and
although they had the greater courage from
being in company, their hair stood on end thro'
fear, and filled with the greatest dread they
descended. When the fear had subsidized,
they commanded the priest to be called, let
ting him know what accident had happened
The priest, who was pious and devoted, made {
his clerk take the cross and holy-water, while
he came with the surplice and stole beginning
to say the psalms with various oratons.-
When the priest entered the house, the {
brothers encouraged him, oxhortng him (
not tofear, because he had known their moth
er very well for many years, and that she =
had confessed to him many times, and that she a
was a good woman. They told him they had f
seen something in the chamber, or they had q
1eeu deceived in their sight,as often happens, =
,r perhaps it was a diabolical illusion but ~
le should be of good courage, he should bless a
he whole house, and with exorcsm should d
luell the spirits and make them flee else it
where. Beginning to say his prayers,h he took
he sprinkler and went sprinkling the whole