66 THE HISTORY OF .A NUT-CRACKER.

Sou ~c sonages. This arrival was
f ; thesignal forthe king whom
they visited, and who was
a most hospitable monarch,
to make a large drain upon
his treasury, and give tour-
naments, feasts, and drama-
tic representations. But
this was notall. He having
learnt from

the intendant of the royal kitchens, that the

astronomer royal of the court had an-
nounced that the moment was favour-
able for killing pigs, and that the con-
junction of the stars foretold that the
year would be propitious for sausage-
making, the king commanded a tre-
mendous slaughter of pigs to take place
in the court-yard. Then, ordering his
carriage, he went in person to call upon
all the kings and princes staying in his
capital, and invite them to dine with
him; for he was resolved ‘to surprise
them by the splendid banquet which xg
he intended to give them. On his & \ 2asRegesS
return to the palace, he retired to the queen’s apartment, and