The tragical acts, or comical tragedies of Punch and Judy

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN OF PUNCH IN ITALY.

Mr. Punch (whose original family name was probably _Pulcinella_) first came into existence at Acerra, an ancient city at a short distance from Naples. The date of this event is differently stated by authors who have incidentally mentioned him, Riccoboni fixing it before the year 1600, and Gimma and Signorelli after the commencement of the s...