76 THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER.

mechanic who lived at Nurem-
berg, and whose name was
Christian Elias Drosselmayer.
This mechanic was requested
to proceed that moment to the
=; palace upon urgent business.
Christian Elias Drosselmayer
. immediately obeyed, for he felt
convinced that the kingrequired -
him to make some work of art.
Stepping into the vehicle, he travelled
day and night, until he arrived in the
king’s presence. Indeed, such was his
haste, that he had not waited to change
the drab-coloured coat which he usually
wore. But, instead of being angry at
that breach of etiquette, the king was
much pleased with his haste; for if the
famous mechanic had committed a fault,
it was in his anxiety to obey the king’s
commands.

The king took Chris

jg

 

 

tian Elias Dros- 3
’ selmayer into his pri-
ih, vate chamber, and
4 i" explained to him the
¥{ || position of affairs;
3} namely, that it was
decided uponto make
is a striking example of
4 the race of mice
Ge\—\' throughout the king-
{ q F dom; that, attracted
AN ea by the fame of his
eer Ge skill, the king had
fixed upon him to

put the decree of justice into execution ; and that the said