Francesco Vella (1793-1868)
Subtitle: an unsung protagonist of Maltese language development : with a rare book written by him
Contributors: Vella, Francesco, 1793-1868; Louis Lucien Bonaparte Collection (Newberry Library)
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Minima Publishers & Distributors
Published: 2003
Place of publication: [Sliema, Malta]; The Farsons Foundation
Language: eng
Number of pages: 141
Copyright date: 2003
Subjects: Maltese language; Texts; Readers; Readers (Primary); Children's literature, Maltese; Conduct of life; Juvenile literature
Notes: Facsimile reproduction of the only extant text of Francesco Vella's Tahdid hafif u morali = Racconti facili e morali. Livorno : Presso la Tipografia Volpi, 1840, now in the Louis Lucien Bonaparte Collection at the Newberry Library, Chicago, IL (Bonaparte 1488).

Vella's bilingual Maltese-Italian text on p. 1-53 of second sequence, includes facsimile t.p., and text of ten "fables" with moral endings, and 42 maxims, aimed at teaching children how to read, and how to behave in life. In both Maltese and Italian texts, all words are printed with divisions into syllables clearly marked, in order to make pronunciation and comprehension easier.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 130-134) and index.

Critical notes in English; facsimile text in Maltese and Italian.