The _justice_ which these writings display, in revealing the latent goodness in things evil, the instinctive and spiritual graces as well as the social perversions of the Italian character, is quite as refreshing as the correct observation of external traits and the true record of historical causes. A generous and intelligent sympathy imparts "a precious seeing to the eye" of the agreeable story-teller, who has thus patiently and fondly explored the past, delineated the present, and hailed the future of Italy, in a spirit of liberal wisdom and true humanity.
[13] _A History of Florence_, in four volumes; _Paul the Pope and Paul the Friar_; _Filippo Strozzi_; _The Girlhood of Catharine de' Medici_; _A Decade of Italian Women_; _Tuscany in 1849_; _La Beata_; _Marietta_; _Giulio Malatesta_; _Beppo the Conscript_. London: Chapman and Hall. 1856-1865.
[14] _Lindisfarn Chase._ Harper and Brothers, 1863. _Life of Vittoria Colonna._ Sheldon & Co., 1859.
[15] _Filippo Strozzi_, Tragedia par G. B. Niccolini. _Luisa Strozzi_, Romanzo par G. Rossini.
[16] _Gemma._ A Novel in three volumes. London: Chapman and Hall. 1866.
Nicholas Said, at the time of his enlistment in the army of the Union, during the third year of the great Rebellion, was about twenty-eight years of age, of medium height, somewhat slenderly built, with pleasing features, not of the extreme negro type, complexion perfectly black, and quiet and unassuming address.
He became known to the writer while serving in one of our colored regiments; and attention was first directed to his case by the tattooing on his face, and by the entry in the company descriptive book, which gave "Africa" as his birthplace.
Inquiry showed that he was more or less acquainted with seven different languages, in addition to his native tongue; that he had travelled extensively in Africa and Europe, and that his life had been one of such varied experience as to render it interesting both on that account and also on account of the mystery which surrounds, notwithstanding recent explorations, the country of his birth.
At the request of those who had been from time to time entertained by the recital of portions of his history, he was induced to put it in writing. The narrative which follows is condensed from his manuscript, and his own language has been retained as far as possible.