lui, in him

Page 79. — 5. Sire, used only in addressing monarchs; do not confuse, with English ‘ Sir.’

Page 81. — s, 8. il. What is the meaning of il here?

LES BLATTES

The scene of this story is laid in the early Italian Renaissance, the thirteenth century. It illustrates two traits of that great period — love of art and overflowing vitality. The incident re-

NOTES

lated, with the proper names and the details about the artists’ work, is taken from the lives of Andrea Tafi and Buonamico Buffalmacco, in Vite de’ più eccellenli pittori, by Giorgio Vasari (1568). (See vol. I of the English translation by G. du C. de Vere, INIacmillan and Co.)

Page 86. — i. Buonamico Cristofani (1262-1340), “a man of passing good judgment in his art of painting,” but even better known for his fondness for practical jokes.

2. Buffalmacco, a nickname, evidently connected with Italian bttjfo, ‘funny.’

3. Andrea Tafi (1213-1294), famous for having introduced mosaic work into Florence, the chief artistic center of Italy.

4. le Tafi, old Tafi. The article before a proper name is familiar or contemptuous.