The True History and Adventures of Catharine Vizzani
A Young Gentlewoman a Native of Rome
9781465601728
108 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
Our unfortunate Adventurer’s Name was Catherine Vizzani; she was born at Rome, and of ordinary Parentage, her Father being a Carpenter. When she came to her fourteenth Year, the Age of Love in our forward Climate, she was reserved and shy towards young Men, but would be continually romping with her own Sex, and some she caressed with all the Eagerness and Transport of a Male Lover; but, above all, she was passionately enamoured with one Margaret, whose Company she used to court, under Pretence of learning Embroidery; and, not satisfied with these Interviews by Day, scarce a Night passed, but she appeared in Man’s Cloaths, under her Charmer’s Window; though, in all Appearnace, her Pleasure must be limited to the viewing Margaret’s captivating Charms, and saying soft Things to her. This whimsical Amour went on very quietly for above two Years, but at last Catherine being surprized by Margaret’s Father, just when her Heart was overflowing with fervid Expressions of Love to his Daughter, he rattled her severely, and threatened that the Governor of the City should hear of her Pranks. Catherine was so frightened with Menaces of such a Nature, that she absconded, and went to Viterbo, in a Man’s Disguise, where she took upon herself the Name of Giovanni Bordoni. After continuing here till she imagined the Noise of her Gallantry was brown over, and she was at the Bottom of her Purse, which at first had not been too full to tie; she ventured to return to Rome, not to her Father’s House, but taking Sanctuary, as an unfortunate young Man, in the Church of Santa Maria, in Transtevero. Being perceived in the Evening, by a Canon of that Church, whose Name was Guiseppe Lancisi, and his Curiosity being whetted by this sham Youth’s endeavouring to sculk, he made up to her, and asked her what she meant by such a suspicious Behaviour? To whom our Adventurer timorously answered, that she was far from any bad Design; it was only to avoid the Revenge which had been vowed against her for a little Fault on account of a Sweetheart.
