Everybody, we presume, has heard or read the story of “Whittington and
his Cat,” which is an especial favourite with the worthy citizens of
“London town,” where it is matter of history that the once poor and
friendless little boy rose to be thrice Lord Mayor; but from the tale
quoted below, it would seem that the Italians are not without a version
of their own on the subject. Which of the two is the most ancient or
original, we confess our inability to decide, but it is a matter of
very little consequence, as the moral in each is similar, namely, that
perseverance and industry will generally meet their just reward, while
the endeavours of an idle and improvident man to realise a great fortune
all at once, by some wild and desperate speculation, pretty much the same
as gambling, or even, as we may add, by that detestable and degrading
vice itself, rarely fails to involve the rash projector in ruin and
disgrace. However, without fatiguing the reader with further preface, we
will present him with the following literal translation from the Italian
of Lorenzo Magaletti:--
“About the time when our Amerigo Vespucci discovered the new world,
there was a merchant in our town whose name was Messer Ansaldo degli
Ormani, who, though he had become very rich, but yet desirous to double
his wealth, chartered a very large ship, and began to trade with his
merchandise in the newly-discovered regions of the West. Having already
made two or three prosperous voyages, he wished to return thither once
more; but scarcely had he left Cadiz when there arose a most furious
gale, which drove him along for several days, without his knowing where
he was; but at length fortune was so kind as to enable him to reach an
island called Canaria. He had no sooner done so than the king, being
informed of the arrival of a vessel, went down to the port with all his
nobles, and gave Messer Ansaldo a kind reception: he then conducted
him to the royal palace, to show his joy at his arrival. Dinner was
then prepared in the most sumptuous style, and he sat down with Messer
Ansaldo, who was surprised to see a great number of youths who held in
their hands long sticks, similar to those used by penitents; but no
sooner were the viands served up than he understood fast enough the
meaning of such attendance, for
‘Not Xerxes led so many into Greece,
Nor numerous thus the myrmidonic bands,
As on the scene their countless hosts appeared!’