48 THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER.

shelf, playing the beautiful march of the “ British Grenadiers.”
The music no doubt excited the most peaceably-inclined
puppets; for, at the
same moment, a kind
of militia, commanded
by the beadle of the
parish, was formed,
consisting of harle-
‘quins, punches, clowns,
and pantaloons. Arm-
ing themselves with
anything that fell in
their way, they were
7 soon. ready for battle.
All was bustle, even to a man-cook, who, quittimg his fire,
came down with his spit, on which was a half roasted turkey,
and went and took his place in the ranks.. ‘The Nutscracker
placed himself at the head of
this valiant battalion, which,
to the shame of the regular
troops, was ready first.
I must tell you everything,

or else you might think that I
am inclined tobe too favourable
to that glorious militia; and
therefore I must say that if the
infantry and cavalry of Master
Fritz were not ready so soon
as the others, it was because
they were all shut up in four boxes. The poor prisoners
mught therefore well hear the trumpet and drum which
called them to battle: they were shut up, and could not get
out. Mary heard them stirring in their boxes, like cray-fish
in a basket; but, in spite of their efforts, they could not free
themselves. At length the grenadiers, less tightly fastened
in than the others, succeeded in raising the lid of their bos,