Weird Tales

This is Volume II of a new English translation of E.T.W. Hoffmann's tales, translated by J.T. Bealby and published by Charles Scribner's Sons in 1885. The volume contains five stories by the German author: "The Doge and Dogess," "Master Martin the Cooper," "Mademoiselle de Scudéri," "Gambler's Luck," and "Master Johannes Wacht." The opening story, "The Doge and Dogess," begins with discussion of a painting exhibited at the 1816 Berlin Academy depicting an old Doge and young Dogess on a Venetian balcony. A mysterious stranger reveals the figures represent Marino Falieri and Annunciata, then recounts Falieri's historical rise to power. In 1354, with Venice besieged by Genoese captain Paganino Doria and Doge Andrea Dandolo dying, the Senate elects the elderly but experienced Marino Falieri as Doge to defend the republic.