THE HISTORY OF A NUT-CRACKER. 57

orange-peel, burnt almonds, and sugared raisins. This was
the reason, as she learnt from the Nut-cracker, why that gate
was called the Gate of Burnt Almonds.

The gate opened into a long gallery, the roof of which
was supported by pillars of barley-sugar. In the gallery
there were five monkeys, all dressed in red, and playing
music, which, if it were not the most melodious in the world,

 

was at least the most original. Mary made so much haste
to see more, that she did not even perceive that she was
walking’upon a pavement of pistachio-nuts and macaroons,
which she took for marble. At length she reached the end
of the gallery, and scarcely was she in the open air, when she
found herself surrounded by the most delicious perfumes,
which came from a charming little forest that opened before
her. ‘This forest, which would have been dark were it not
for the quantity of lamps that it contained, was lighted up in
so brilliant a manner that it was easy to distinguish the
golden and silver fruits, which were suspended to branches
ornamented with white ribands and nosegays, resembling
marriage-favours.

“Oh! my dear Mr. Drosselmayer,” cried’ Mary, “ what
is the name of this charming place, I beseech you ?”

“We are now in the Forest of Christmas, Miss,” an-
swered the Nut-cracker; ‘and it is here that people come