ing library copy of my Legend of Florence, in which some good carefulsoul had taken pains with a pencil to correct all the archaisms. Wherein,he or she was like a certain Boston proof reader, who in a book of mine changed the spelling of many citations from Chaucer, Spenser, and othersinto the purest, or impurest, Webster; he being under the impression that Iwas extremely ignorant of orthography. As for the writing in or injuringbooks, which always belong partly to posterity, it is a sin of vulgarity as well as morality, and indicates what people are more than they dream. "Only a cad as low as a thief Would write in a book or turn down a leaf, Since 'tis thievery, as well is known, To make free with that which is not our own."CHAPTER XIII DIANA AND THE CHILDREN There was in Florence in the oldest time a noble family, but grown so poor that their feast days were few and far between. However, they dwelt in their old palace (which was in the street now called La Via Cittadella),which was a fine old building, and so they kept up a brave show before theworld, when many a day they hardly had anything to eat. Round this palace was a large garden, in which stood an ancient marblestatue of Diana, like a beautiful woman who seemed to be running with a dogby her side. She held in her hand a bow, and on her forehead was a small moon. And it was said that by night, when all was still, the statue becamelike life and fled, and did not return till the moon set or the sun rose. The father of the family had two children, who were good and intelligent. On day they came home with many flowers that had been givento them, and the little girl said to the brother, "The beautiful lady withthe bow ought to have some of these!" Saying this, they laid flowers before the statue and made a wreath,which the boy placed on her head. Just then the great poet and magician Virgil, who knew everything about the...
