. A specimen
of the latter is given in my work on "Etruscan-Roman Traditions."

Last of all, there came to me a small tale of little value, save that it
professes to account for the reason why so many cats have ever flourished
and been nourished in the cloister of San Lorenzo, these felines being,
indeed, in a small way among the lions of Florence. It is as follows:--

I GATTI DI SAN LORENZO.

"In the cloisters of San Lorenzo there are many cats, and every evening
people may be seen who go there to feed them, among whom are many old men
and women. But these cats were long ago themselves human, that is to
say, they were once all wizards and witches, who bear their present form
for punishment of an evil deed.

"There was once a very wealthy and powerful family in Florence, at the
head of which was a gentleman and lady who had an only daughter, in whom
was all their love and hope. Among their servants in a higher position
was an old woman, who was very vindictive and easily offended, so that
she could brood over deadly revenge for years for the least affront, and
she fancied she had a great many, because when she had neglected her duty
at times she had been scolded by her mistress or master.

"Now this old woman knew that death or disaster to the daughter would
drive the parents mad; and so having recourse to witchcraft, she put into
the drink of the young lady a decoction, the result of which was that she
began to waste away, growing weaker and paler, without feeling any pain.

"Then her parents, in great fear, consulted the best physicians, who did
no good, for indeed it was a case beyond their skill. And at last,
beginning to believe that there was something unearthly in it all, they
sent for an old woman who cured by occult art. {171} And when she came
she looked steadily at the girl, then frowned and shook her head, and
asked for a ribbon or cord, no matter what, so that it were one which the
young lady had worn about her waist. With this she measured accurately
the height of the patient from head to foot, and then the width from hand
to hand, it being desirous that the arms be of equal length; but there
was the disproportion of the thickness of a piece of money. Then the
witch said:

"'This is none of my affair as regards the cure. Your daughter is
bewitched, and I can indeed make the witch appear, but to beat her and
compel her to remove the spell depends on you alone.'

"No