THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 85

head. And that head had the same grizzly hair—the same
green eyes—the same enormous mouth—and the same cotton
beard on the chin, as we have already described; only all
these features were just fifteen years older.

Upon perceiving that monster of ugliness, poor Nathaniel
shuddered and inquired of the mechanician and the astrologer
if they were quite sure that the kernel of the Crackatook nut
would restore the princess to her beauty: because, if she were
to remain in that state, he was quite willing to make the trial
in a matter where all the others had failed; but he should
leave the honour of the marriage and the profit of the heir-
ship of the throne to any one who might be inclined to
accept them. It is hardly necessary to state that both the
mechanician and the astrologer reassured their young friend,
promising that, the nut once broken, and the kernel once
eaten, Pirlipata would become that very moment the most
beautiful princess on the face of the earth.

But if the sight of Princess Pirlipata had struck poor
Nathaniel with dismay, I must tell you, in honour of the
young man, that is presence had produced a very different

‘ effect upon the sensitive heart
of the heiress of the crown;
and she could not prevent
herself from exclaiming, when
she saw him, ‘‘Oh! how
glad I should be if he were
to break the nut!”
Thereupon the chief gover-
ness of the princess replied,
“T think I have often ob-
served to your highness, that
it is not customary for a young and beautiful princess like
yourself to express her opinion aloud relative to such
matters.”

Nathaniel was indeed calculated to turn the heads of all
the princesses in the world. He wore alittle military frock-

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