58 BROWN : 



and which must be seen to be believed in. Same forceps for 

 all teeth and all patients, and not a drop of water anywhere 

 within reach, if I explain myself. It did so happen that the 

 Archduke of Tuscany was suffering dreadfully with the 

 toothache one night, and nobody could be found to lend aid 

 but the charlatan Trentuno. He, however, operated on the 

 august patient with such cool nerve and consummate skill 

 that his fortune — no small one — was made from that hour. 



Florence has lost some flavor and gained much advantage 

 by the clearing out of the old, interesting, filthy city around 

 the Mercato Vecchio and the replacing of the greater part by 

 fine, wide, handsome streets. Pretty far back in the centuries 

 there stood in this time honored, time soiled part of Florence 

 a handsome palace, and connected with this house is a Flo- 

 rentine story which I should like to tell you. In order to do 

 so I must leave by the wayside much that appeals to my 

 affectionate remembrance. 



It is a true story in all essential particulars as I shall 

 relate it for you. So I have at all events been assured. I 

 have not seen the record among the archives of the city of 

 Florence, but it is said to exist, and the matter is one of 

 common talk. I know perfecth' well the street, called not 

 exactly but nearly enough by the name to be mentioned in 

 due time. 



The form in which you shall hear the tale is the one given 

 it b}^ Miss Sarah Woolsey, known in literature as Susan 

 Coolidge, and this lady has, as I think, achieved the rare suc- 

 cess of recasting in her own language and discreetly modify- 

 ing the severe simplicity of an impressive story without 

 diluting or enfeebling it. 



When you hear that it is "The Story of Ginevra " you 

 must not, as I for an instant was inclined to do, suppose that 

 it is only another version of that of the poet Rogers, the well 

 known and tragical history of a young creature who entombed 

 herself in a spring closing chest on her wedding eve. 



