Tacco, Maestro

A doctor from Padua, disliked by Nello the barber, upon whom Nello's assistant plays the practical joke described in the chapter in Romola entitled "A Florentine Joke". "He's a doctor from Padua . . . his great trick is making rounds among the contadini. And do you note those great saddle bags he carries? They are to hold the fat capons and eggs and meal he levies on silly clowns with whom coin is scarce. He vends his own secret medicines, so he keeps away from the doors of the druggists." The story of Maestro Tacco and the joke which Nello plays on him is modelled after the kind of joke which is such a favourite in the Novelle of Sacchetti.

<em>Romola</em>

Text