# Mother goose's fairy tales (1817)

MOTHER GOOSE'S
FAIRY TALES;
CONTAINING,
I. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.
II. BLUE BEARD.
III. CINDERILLA; or, the LlTTLE GLASS SLIPPER.
IV. MASTER CAT; or, PUSS in BOOTS.
V. THE FAIRY.
Here Mother Goose in Winter Nights, The old and young she both delights.
GLASGOW:
Published and Sold Wholesale and Retail, by
R. Hutchison & Co. 10, Saltmarket.
1817.
FAIRY TALES.
TALE I.
Little Red Riding Hood.
ONCE upon a time, there lived in a certain village, a little country girl, the prettiest creature ever was seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her; and her grandmother doated on her much more. This good woman got made for her a little red riding hood, which became the girl so extremely well, that every body called her Little Riding Hood.
One day, her mother having made some custards, said to her, “Go, my dear, and see how thy grand-mamma does, for I hear she has been very ill, carry her a custard and this little pot of butter.” Little Red Riding Hood sets out immediately to go to her grand-mother, who lived in another village. As she was going through the wood, she met with Gaffer Wolf, who had a great mind to eat her up, but he durst not, because of some faggot-makers hard by in the forest. He asked her, whither she was going? The poor child who did not know that it was dangerous to stay, and hear a wolf talk, said, “ I am going to see my grand-mamma, and carry her a custard, and a little pot of butter from my mamma." Does she live far off?” said the wolf. “O! ay,” answered Little Red Riding Hood, it is beyond that mill you see there, at the first house in the village.” “Well, said the wolf, and I’ll go and see her too; I’ll go this way, and go you that, and we shall see who will be there soonest.”
The wolf began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way, and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering nuts ​running after butterflies, and making nose-gays of such little flowers as she met with. The wolf was not long before he got to the old woman’s house. He knocked at the door, tap, tap. “Who’s there?” “Your grandchild, Little Red Riding Hood, (replied the wolf, counterfeiting her voice) who has brought you a custard, and a little pot of butter sent you by my mamma.”
The good grandmother, who was in bed, because she found herself somewhat ill, cried out, “Pull the bobin, and the latch will go up.” The wolf pulled the bobin, and the door opened, and then presently he fell upon the good woman, and eat her up in a moment; for it was three days that he had not touched a bit. He then shut the door, and went into the grandmother’s bed, expecting Little Red Riding Hood, who came sometime afterward, and knocked at the door, tap, tap: “Who’s there?”- Little Red Riding Hood, hearing the big voice of the wolf, was at first afraid; but believing her grandmother had got a cold, and was hoarse, answered, “’Tis your grandchild Little Red Riding Hood, who has brought you a custard and a little pot of butter, mamma sends you.” The wolf cried out to her, softening his voice as much as he could, “Pull the bobin, and the latch will go up.” Little Red Riding Hood pulled the bobin and the door opened. The wolf, seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the bed-clothes, “Put the custard and pot of butter upon the stool, and come and lie down by me.” Little Red Riding Hood undressed herself, and went into bed; where being greatly amazed to see her grandmother in her night clothes, said to her, “Grandmamma, what great arms you have got! That is the better to hug thee, my dear. Grandmamma, what great legs you have got! That is to run the better, my child. Grandmamma, what ​great ears you have got! That is to hear the better, my child. Grandmamma, what great eyes you have got! It is to see the better, my child. Grandmamma, what great teeth you have got! That is to eat thee up.” And saying these words, this wicked wolf fell upon poor Little Red Riding Hood, and eat her all up.
TALE II.
BLUE BEARD.
THERE was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold plate, embroidered furniture and coaches, gilded all over with gold. But this man had the misfortune to have a blue beard, which made him so frightfully ugly that all the women and girls ran away from him.
One of his neighbours, a lady of quality, had two daughters, who were perfect beauties. He desired of her one of them in marriage, leaving to her the choice which of the two she would bestow upon him. They would neither of them have him, and sent him backwards and forwards from one to another, being not able to bear the thoughts of marrying a man who had a blue beard. And what besides gave them disgust and aversion, was, his having already been married to several wives, and nobody ever knew what became of them.
Blue Beard, to engage their affection, took them, with the lady, their mother, and three or four ladies of their acquaintance, with other young people of the neighbourhood to one of his country seats, where they staid a whole week. There was nothing then to be seen bur parties of pleasure, hunting, fishing, dancing, mirth, and feasting. Nobody went to bed, but all passed the night in rallying and joking with each other: in short, every thing so well succeeded, that the youngest daughter began to think ​that the master of the house’s beard was not so very blue, and that he was a mighty civil gentleman.
So soon as they returned home, the marriage was concluded. About a month afterwards, Blue Beard told his wife that he was obliged to take a country journey for six weeks at least, about affairs of very great consequence, desiring her to divert herself in his absence, send for her friends and acquaintance, carry them into the country, if she pleased, and make good cheer wherever she was: “Here, said he, are the keys of the two great wardrobes wherein I I have my best furniture; these are of my silver and my gold plate, which is not every day in use; these open my strong boxes, which hold my money both gold and silver; these my caskets of jewels; and this is the master key of all my apartments; but for this little one here, it is the key of the closet at the end of the great gallery, on the ground floor. Open them all; go into every one except that little closet, which I forbid you, and forbid it in such a manner, that if you open it, there is nothing but what you may expect from my just anger and resentment.” She promised to observe very exactly what he had ordered; when he, after having embraced her, got into his coach, and proceeded on his journey.
Her neighbours and good friends did not stay to be sent for by the new married lady, so great was their impatience to see all the rich furniture of her house, not daring to come while her husband was there, because of his blue beard which frightened them. They ran through all the rooms, closets, and wardrobes, which were all so rich and fine, that they seemed to surpass one another. After that they went up into the two great rooms, where were the best and richest furniture, they could not sufficiently admire the number and beauty of the tapestry beds, couches, cabinets, stands, tables, and looking-glasses ​in which you might see yourself from head to foot; some of them were framed with glass, others with silver, plain and gilded, the finest and most magnificent were ever seen. They ceased not to extol and envy the happiness of their friend, who, in the mean time, no way diverted herself in looking upon these rich things, because of the impatience she had to go and open the closet of the ground floor. She was so much pressed by her curiosity, that without considering the uncivility of leaving her company, she went down a little back stair case, and with such excessive haste, that she had twice or thrice like to have broke her neck.
Being come to the closet door she made a stop for some time, thinking upon her husband’s orders, and considering what unhappiness might attend her if she disobeyed; but the temptation was so strong she could not overcome it: She took then the little key, and opened it trembling: but could not at first see any thing plainly, because the windows were shut. In some moments she began to perceive that the floor was all covered with clotted blood, on which lay the bodies of several dead women ranged against the walls, (These were all the wives whom Blue Beard had married and murdered one after another.) She thought she would have died for fear: and the key which she pulled out of the lock, fell out of her hand.
After having somewhat recovered her surprise, she took up the key, locked the door, and went up stairs to recover herself; but she could not, so much was she frightened. Having observed that the key of the closet was stained with blood, she tried two or three times to wipe it off, but the blood would not come out; in vain did she wash it, and even rub it with soap and sand, the blood still remained, for this key was a Fairy, and she could never make it ​quite clean; when the blood was gone off from one side it came again on the other.
Blue Beard returned from his journey the same evening, and said. “he had received letters upon the road, informing him, that the affair he went about was ended to his advantage.” His wife did all she could to convince him she was extremely glad of his speedy return. Next morning he asked for the keys, which she gave him, but with such a trembling hand that he easily guessed what had happened. “What, said he, is not the key of my closet among the rest?” “I must certainly, answered she, have left it upon the table.” “Fail not, said Blue Beard, to bring it me presently.”
After several goings backwards and forwards, she was forced to bring him the key, Blue Beard, having very attentively considered it, said to his wife, “How comes this blood upon the key?” “I do not know,” cried the poor woman, paler than death. “You do know, replied Blue Beard, I very well know, you was resolved to go into the closet, was you not? Mighty well, Madam; you shall go in, and take your place among the ladies you saw there.”
Upon this she threw herself at her husband’s feet, and begged his pardon, with all the signs of a true repentance, and that she should never more be disobedient. She would have melted a rock, so beautiful and sorrowful was she, but Blue Beard had a heart harder than any rock! “You must die, madam, said he, and that presently” “Since I must die, answered she, (looking on him with her eyes all bathed in tears,) give me some little time to say my prayers.” “I give, replied Blue Beard, half a quarter of an hour, but not one moment longer.”
When she was alone she called cut to her sister, ​and said to her, “Sister Anne, (for that was her name) go up, I beg you, upon the tower, and look if my brothers are not coming: they promised me, that they would come to-day; and if you see them give them a sign to make haste.” Her sister Anne went up upon the top of the tower, and the poor afflicted wife, called from time to time, “Anne, sister Anne, do you see any one coming?” and sister Anne said, “I see nothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass which looks green.” In the mean while, Blue Beard, holding a great scymitar in his hand, cried out as loud as he could, “Come down instantly, or 1 shall come up to you.” “One moment longer, if you please,” said his wife; and then she cried out very softly, “Anne, sister Anne, dost thou sec any body coming? and sister Anne answered, “I see nothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass looking green.” “Come down quickly, cried Blue Beard, or I will come up to you.” “I am coming,” answered his wife; and then she cried, “Anne, sister Anne, dost thou see any one coming?” “I see, replied her sister Anne, a great dust which comes from this side here.” “Are they my brothers?” “Alas no, my sister, I see a flock of sheep.” “Will you not come down,” cried Blue Beard. “One moment longer, said his wife; and then she cried out, “Anne, sister Anne, dost thou see nobody coming.” “I see two horsemen coming, but they are yet a great way off.” “God be praised, replied the poor wife joyfully, they are my brothers; I am making them a sign as well as I can, for them to make haste” Then Blue Beard bawled out so loud that he made the whole house tremble.
The distressed wife came down and threw herself at his feet all in tears, with her hair all about her shoulders. “ This signifies nothing, said Blue Beard, you must die.” Then taking hold of her hair with ​one hand, and lifting up his scymitar with the other, he was going to take off her head. The poor gentlewoman, turning about to him, and looking at him with longing eyes, desired him to afford her one little moment to recollect herself. “No, no, said he, recommend thyself to God; and was just ready to strike.———
———At this very instant there was such a loud knocking at the gate, that Blue Beard made a sudden stop. The gate was opened and presently entered two horsemen, who, drawing their swords, ran directly to Blue Beard. He knew them to be his wife’s brothers, one a dragoon, the other a musqueteer, so that he ran away immediately to save himself; but the two brothers pursued so close that they overtook him before he could get to the steps of the porch, when they ran their swords through his body, and left him dead.
The poor wife was almost as dead as her husband, and had not strength enough to rise and welcome her brothers. Blue Beard had no heirs, and so his wife became mistress of all his estate. She made use of one part of it to marry her sister Anne to a young gentleman who had courted her a long while; another part to buy captains’ commissions for her brothers, and the rest to marry herself to a very worthy gentleman, who made her forget the ill time she had passed with Blue Beard.
TALE III.
Cinderilla; or, The Little Glass Slipper.
THERE was a gentleman who married for his second wife the proudest and most haughty woman ever seen. She had, by a former husband, two daughters of her own, that were indeed exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparelled goodness ​of temper, which she took from her mother who was the best creature in the world.
No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over, than the mother-in-law began to show herself in her colours. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl; and the less because they, made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work in the house; she scoured the dishes, tables, &c. and rubbed madam’s chamber, and those of the misses her daughters; she lay up in a sorry garret, upon a wretched straw-bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all in-laid, upon beds of the very newest fashions, and where they had looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length, from head to foot. The poor girl bore all patiently, and dared not to tell her father, who would have rattled her off, for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work, she went into the chimney-corner, and sat down among the cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called Cinder-breech, but the youngest who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called her Cinderilla. However Cinderilla, notwithstanding her mean apparel, was an hundred times handsomer than her sisters, though they were always dressed very richly.
It happened that the king’s son gave a ball, and invited all persons of fashion to it. Our young misses were also invited; for they cut a very grand figure among the quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing out such gowns petticoats, and head clothes as might best become them. This was a new trouble to Cinderilla; for it was she who ironed her sisters' linen, and plaited their ruffles; they talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed: “For my part, said the eldest, I will wear my red ​velvit suit, with French trimming.” “And I, said the youngest, shall only have my usual petticoat, but then to make amends for that, I will put on my gold flowered mantua, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world.” They sent for the best tire-woman they could get to make up their head dresses, and adjust their double-pinners, and they had their red brushes and patches from Madamoiselle de la Poche.
Cinderilla was likewise called up to them to be consulted in all those matters, for she had excellent notions, and advised them always for the best; nay, and offered her service to dress their heads, which they willingly accepted. As she was doing this, they said to her, Cinderilla, would you not be glad to go to the ball? Ah! said she, you only jeer me, it is not for such as I am to go thither. Thou art in the right of it, replied they; it would make the people laugh to see a Cinder-breech at a ball. Any one but Cinderilla would have dressed their heads awry; but she was good, and dressed them perfectly well. They were almost two days without eating, being so much transported with joy. They broke above a dozen of laces, in trying to be laced up close, that they might have a fine slender shape, and they were continually at their looking glass. At last the happy day came, they went to court, and Cinderilla looked after them as long as she could, and when she lost sign of them, she fell a-crying.
Her godmother, who saw her ail in tears, asked, her what was the matter? I wish I could—I wish I cou—ld; she was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. Her godmother, who was a Fairy, said to her, Thou wishest thou couldst go to the ball: is it not so? Y—es, cried Cinderilla, with a great sigh. Well, said her ​godmother, be but a good girl, and I will contrive that you shall go. Then she took her into her chamber, and said to her, Run into the garden, and bring me a pompion. Cinderilla went immediately to gather the finest she could get, and brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pompion could make her go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside of it, having left nothing but the rind, which done, she struck it with her wand, and the pompion was instantly turned into a fine coach gilded all over with gold.
She then went and looked into the mouse-trap, where she found six mice all alive, and ordered Cinderilla to lift up a little the trap-door, when giving each mouse as it went out a little tap with her wand, the mouse was that moment turned into a fair horse, which altogether made a very fine set of six horses, of a beautiful mouse-coloured, dapple grey. Being at a loss-for a coachman, “I will go and see, says Cinderilla, if there be never a rat in the rat-trap, we may make a coachman of him.” “Thou art in the right, replied her godmother, go and look.” Cinderilla brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The Fairy made choice of one of the three which had the largest beard, and having touched him with her wand, he was turned into a fat jolly coachman, who had the smartest whiskers and eyes ever beheld.
After that, she said to her, Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering pot; bring them to me. She had no sooner done so but her godmother turned them into six footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their liveries all bedaubed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind each other, as if they had done nothing else their whole lives. The Fairy then said to Cinderilla, 'Well, you see here an equipage, fit to ​go to the ball with: are you pleased with it? O yes, cried she, but must I go thither as I am, in these poisonous nasty rags? Her godmother only touched her with her wand, and at the same instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world.
Being thus decked out, she got up into her coach; but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay till after midnight, telling her at the same time, that if she stayed at the ball one moment longer her coach would be a pompion again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes become just as they were before. She promised her godmother, she would not fail of leaving the ball before midnight, and then away she drives, scarce able to contain herself for joy. The king’s son, who was told, that a great princess, whom no body knew, was come, ran out to receive her, he gave her his hand as she alighted out of the coach, and led her into the ball among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence, they left off dancing, and the music ceased to play, so attentive was every one to contemplate the beauties of this new comer. Nothing was then heard but confused noise of, Ah! how handsome she is! ah! how handsome she is! The king himself, old as he was, could net help ogling her, and telling the queen softly, that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature. All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and head-dress, that they might have some made the next day after the same pattern, providing they could meet with so fine materials, and as able hands to make them.
The king’s son conducted her to the most honourable seat, and afterwards took her out to dance with him: She danced so very gracefully, that they ​all more and more admired her. A fine collation was served up, whereof the young prince eat not a morsel, so intently was he busied in gazing on her. She went and sat down by her sisters, shewing them' a thousand civilities, giving them part of the oranges and citrons which the prince had presented her with: which very much surprised them, for they did not know her. While Cinderilla was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the clock strike eleven and three quarters, whereupon she immediately made a courtesy to the company, and hasted away as fast as she could.
Being got home, she ran to seek out her godmother, and after having thanked her, she said, she could not but heartily wish she might go next day to the ball, because the king’s son had desired her. As she was eagerly telling her godmother whatever had passed at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderilla ran and opened. How long you have staid, cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes, and stretching herself as if she had just awaked out of her sleep; she had not, however, any manner of inclination to sleep since they went from home. “If thou hadst been at the ball, says one of her sisters, thou wouldst not have been tired with it; there came thither the finest princess, the most beautiful ever was seen with mortal eyes, she shewed us a thousand civilities, and gave us oranges and citrons. Cinderilla seemed very in different in the matter, indeed she asked the name of that princess; but they told her, “they did not know it, and that the king’s son was uneasy on her account, and would give all the world to know where she was.” At this Cinderilla smiling replied, "She must be very beautiful indeed; O! how happy you have been; could I not see her! Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow suit of clothes which you wear every day.” ​“Ay, to be sure!” cried Miss Charlotte, “lend my clothes to such a dirty Cinder-breech as thou art; who’s the fool then?” Cinderilla indeed expected some such answer, and was very glad of the refusal; for she would have been sadly put to it if her sister had lent her what she asked for jestingly.
The next day, the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderilla, but dressed more magnificently than before. The king’s son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and amorous speeches to her; to whom all this was so far from being tiresome, that she quite forgot what her godmother had recommended to her, so she at last counted the clock striking twelve, when she took it to be no more than eleven: she then rose up and fled as nimble as a deer. The prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind her one of her glass slippers, which the prince took up most carefully. She get home, but quite out of breath, without coach or footman, and in the nasty old clothes, having nothing left of all her finery, but one of the little slippers, fellow to that she dropped. The guards at the palace gate were asked, if they had seen a princess go out? who said, they had seen no body go out, but a young girl, very meanly dressed, who had more the air of a poor country wench, than a gentlewoman.
When the two sisters returned from the ball, Cinderilla asked them, if they had been well diverted; and if the fine lady had been there? They told her, Yes; but that she hurried away immediately when the clock struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, and which the king’s son had taken up; that he had done nothing but looked at her all the time of the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person that owned the little slipper.
​What they said was very true; for a few days after, the king’s son caused it to be proclaimed by sound of trumpets that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would just fit. They whom he employed began to try it upon the princesses, then the duchesses, and all the court, but in vain; it was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to thrust their feet into the slipper, but they could not effect it. Cinderilla, who saw all this, and knew her slipper, said to them, laughing, Let me see if it will not fit me. Her sisters burst out a-laughing, and began to banter her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper, looked earnestly at Cinderilla, and finding her very handsome, said, It was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to make every one make trial. He obliged Cinderilla to sit down, and putting the slipper to her foot, he found it went in very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The astonishment her two sisters were in was excessively great, but still greater when Cinderilla pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her foot. Thereupon in came her godmother, who having touched, with her wand, Cinderilla’s clothes, made them richer, and more magnificent than any of those she had before.
And now her two sisters found her to be that fine beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet, to beg pardon for the ill treatment they made her undergo. Cinderilla took them up, and, as she embraced, cried, That she forgave them with all her heart, and desired them always to love her. She was conducted to the young prince, dressed as she was, he thought her more charming than ever, and, a few days after married her. Cinderilla, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters lodging in the palace, and matched them with two great lords of the court.
TALE IV.
The Master Cat; or, Puss in Boots.
THERE was a miller, who left no more estate to the three sons he had, than his mill, his ass, and his cat. The partition was soon made, neither the scrivener nor attorney was sent for. They would soon have eaten up all the patrimony. The eldest had the mill, the second the ass, and the youngest nothing but the cat.
The poor young fellow was quite comfortless at having so poor a lot. “My brothers,” said he, “may get their living handsomely enough by joining their stocks together, but for my part when I have eaten up my cat, and made me a muff of his skin, I must die with hunger.” The cat, who heard all this, yet made as if he did not, said to him with a grave and serious air. “Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master; you have nothing else to do, but give me a bag, and get a pair of boots made for me, that I may scamper through the dirt and the brambles, and you shall see that you have not so bad a portion as you imagine.” Though the cat’s master did not build very much upon what he said, he had, however, often seen him play a great many cunning tricks to catch rats and mice; as when he used to hang by the heels, or hid himself in the meal, and make as if he were dead; so that he did not altogether despair of his affording him some help in his miserable condition. When the cat had what he asked for, he booted himself very gallantly; and putting the bag about his neck, held the strings of it in his two fore-paws, and went into a warren where was great abundance of rabbits. He put bran and sow-thistles into the bag, ​and stretched himself out at length, as if he had been dead, he waited for some young rabbits not yet acquainted with the deceits of the world, to come and rummage his bag for what he had put into it.
Scarce was he lain down, but he had what he wanted; a rash and foolish young rabbit jumped into his bag, and Monsieur Puss immediately drawing close the strings, took and killed him without pity, proud of his prey, he went with it into the palace, and asked to speak with his majesty, he was shewed up stairs into the king’s apartment, and making a low reverence, said to him; “I have brought you, Sire, a rabbit of the warren, which my noble lord, he Marquis of Carabas (for that was the title which Puss was pleased to give his master) has commanded me to present to your majesty, from him.” “Tell thy master,” said the king, “That I thank him, and he does me a great deal of pleasure.”
Another time he went and hid himself amongst some standing corn, holding still his bag open; and when a brace of partridges run into it, he drew the strings, and so caught them both. He went and made a present of these to the king, as he had done before of the rabbit which he took in the warren. The king in like manner received the partridges with great pleasure, and ordered him some money to drink.
The cat continued for two or three months, thus to carry his majesty from time to time, game of his master’s taking. One day in particular, when he knew for certain the king was to take the air along the river side, with his daughter, the most beautiful princess in the world, he said to his master, “If you will follow my advice, your fortune is made; you have nothing else to do, but go and wash yourself in the river in that part I shall shew you, and leave the rest to me.” The Marquis of Carabas ​did what the cat advised, without knowing why or wherefore.
While he was washing, the king passed by, and the cat began to cry out as loud as he could, “Help, help, my Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be drowned. At this noise the king put his head out of the coach-window, and finding it was the eat who had so often brought him such good game, he commanded the guards to run immediately to the assistance of his lordship the Marquis of Carabas.
While they were drawing the poor Marquis out of the river, the cat came up to the coach and told the king, that, while his master was washing there came by some rogues who went of with his clothes, though he had cried cut, Thieves, thieves, several times, as loud as he could. This cunning cat had hidden them under a great stone. The king immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and fetch one of his best suits for the Lord Marquis of Carabas.
The king caressed him after a very extraordinary manner, and as the fine clothes he had given him, extremely set off his good mein, (for he was well made and very handsome in his person) the king’s daughter took a secret inclination to him, and the Marquis of Carabas had no sooner cast two or three respectful and tender glances, but she fell in love with him to distraction. The king would have him come into his coach and take a part of the airing. The cat overjoyed to see his project begin to succeed, marched on before, and meeting with some countrymen who were mowing a meadow, he said to them, “Good people if you do not tell the king, that the meadow you mow belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot.”
The king did not fail to ask the mowers, to whom ​the meadow they were mowing belonged? “To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,” answered they altogether, for the cat’s threats had made them terribly afraid. “You see Sir,” said the Marquis, “this is
a meadow that never fails to yield a plentiful harvest every year.” The cat who went on still before, met with some reapers, and said to them, “Good people, you who are reaping, if you do not tell the king, that all this corn belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot.” The king who passed by a moment after, would needs know to whom all that corn did belong? “To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,” replied the reapers; and the king was very well pleased with it, as well as the Marquis whom he congratulated thereupon. The master cat went always before, saying the same words to all he met; and the king was astonished at the vast estates of my Lord Marquis of Carabas. Monsieur Puss came at last to a stately castle, the master of which was an Ogre, the richest that had ever been known; for all the lands the king had then gone over, belonged to this castle, the cat, having taken care to inform himself who this Ogre was, and what he could do, asked to speak with him, saying, “He could not pass so near his castle, without having the honour of paying his respects to him.
The Ogre received him as civilly as an Ogre could do, and made him sit down. “I have been assured,” said the cat, “that you have the gift of being able to chmge yourself into all sorts of creatures you have a mind to; you can, for example, transform yourself into a lion or elephant, and the like. “This is true, answered the Ogre, very briskly, and to convince you, you shall see me now become a lion. Puss was so sadly terrified at the sight cf a lion so near him, that he immediately ​got into the gutter, not without abundance of trouble and danger, because of his boots, which were of no use at all to him in walking upon the tiles. A little while after, when Puss saw that the Ogre had resumed his natural form, he came down, and owned he had been very much frightened.
“I have been moreover informed,” said the cat, “but I know not how to believe it, that you have also the power to take upon you the smallest animal; for example, to charge yourself into a rat or a mouse; but I must own to you, I take this to be impossible.” “Impossible;” cried the Ogre, “you shall see that presently,” and at the same time, changed himself into a mouse, and began to run about the floor. Puss no sooner perceived this, but he fell upon him, and eat him up.
Meanwhile the king, who saw as he passed, this fine castle of the Ogre’s, had a mind to go into it. Puss who heard the noise of his majesty’s coach running over the draw-bridge, ran out and said to the king, “Your majesty is welcome to this castle of my Lord Marquis of Carabas.” “What! My Lord Marquis? cried the king: And does this castle also belong to you? There can be nothing finer than this court, and all the stately buildings which surround it, let us go into it if you please.” The king went up first, the Marquis handing the princess, following; they passed into a spacious hall, where they found a magnificent collation the Ogre had prepared for his friends, who dared not enter, knowing the king was there. His majesty was perfectly charmed with the good qualities of the Marquis, and his daughter was violently in love with him. The king, after having drank five or six glasses, said to him, “My Lord Marquis, you will be only to blame, if you are not my son-in-law.” The Marquis making several low bows, accepted the honour his majesty conferred upon him, and ​forthwith the very same day married the princess.
Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice any more, but only for his diversion.
TALE V.
The Fairy.
THERE was, once upon a time, a widow, who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in the face and humour, that whoever looked upon the daughter, saw the mother, they were both so disagreeable and proud, that there was no living with them. The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was also one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people generally love their own likeness this mother even doated on her eldest daughter, and at the same time, had a horrible aversion for the youngest. She made her eat in the kitchen, and work continually.
Among other things, this poor girl was forced twice a-day, to draw water about a mile and a half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it. One day, as she was at the fountain, there came to. her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink. “O ay, with all my heart, Goody,” said this pretty little girl, and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took some water from the clearest part of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.
The good woman having drank, said to her, "You are so very pretty, my dear,so good, and so mannerly, that I cannot help giving you a gift, (for this was a Fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go.) “I will give ​you for gift, (continued the Fairy) that at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel.”
When this pretty girl came home, her mother scolded at her for staying so long at the fountain. “I beg your pardon, mamma, said the poor girl, for not making more haste;” and in speaking these words, there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds. What is it I see there? said her mother quite astonished, I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl’s mouth? how happy is this child? This was the first time, ever she called her child.
The poor creature told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds. “In good faith, cried the mother, I will send my child hither. Come hither, Fanny, look what comes cut of your sister’s mouth, when she speaks? Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given unto thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly. It would be a very fine sight indeed, said this ill-bred minx, to see me go draw water. You shall go, hussy, said the mother, and this minute. So away she went, but grumbling all the way, taking with her the best silver tankard in the house.
She was no sooner at the fountain, than she saw coming out of the wood, a lady most gloriously dressed, who came up to her, and asked to drink. This was, you must know the very fairy who appeared to her sister; but had now taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl’s rudeness would go. “Am I come hither, said the proud sausy slut, to serve you with water, pray? I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely for your ladyship: ​was it? However, you may drink of it if you have a fancy.
"You are not over and above mannerly," answered the fairy, without putting herself into a passion: "Well then, since you have so little breeding, and are so very disobliging, I give you for gift, that at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad." So soon as her mother saw her coming, she cried out, "Well, daughter." "Well mother," answered the pert hussy, throwing out of her mouth two vipers and two toads. "O mercy!" cried the mother, "what is it I see? O, it is that wretch her sister, who has occasioned all this; but she shall pay for it:" and immediately she ran to beat her. The poor child fled away from her, and went to hide herself in the forest not far from thence.—The king's son, then on his return from hunting, met her, and seeing her very pretty, asked her, "What she did there alone, and why she cried?" 'Alas, Sir, my mamma has turned me out of doors.' The king's son, who saw five or six pearls, and as many diamonds come out of her mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened. She thereupon told him the whole story; and so the king's son fell in love with her, and considering with himself that such a gift was worth more than any marriage-portion whatsoever in another, conducted her to the palace of the king his father, and there married her.
As for her sister, she made herself so much hated thn her own mother turned her off; and the miserable wretch having wandered about a good while, without finding any body to take her in, went to a corner in the wood, and there died.
GLASGOW:
Published and Sold by R. Hutchison & Co. 1817.
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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