, 1873-05-25
THE ORIGIN or PHIL0PERA.


a great fondness for almonds, and ute them con-
stantly, but nothing would induce her to marry,
and in order to rid herself Of her suitors, Of
whom there we're great number, she invented
the following device: To every Prince who
sought her hand, she presented the half OF q
double almond, while she ate the other half, and
said: :" If your lordship can succeed III getting
me to take anything from your hand before I
say the word Il remember then nm ready to
become your bride. But it, on the contrary,
you receive anything from me. without tbinking
to speak these words, then you must agree to
hare your hair shaved entirely of your head aud
leave. the Kingdom" .>,. "
This, however, wns an artful stratagem, for,
according to the court CUSTOM, no one dare to
hand anything directly to the Princess, but first
to tho court lady, who then offered it to her
But if, ON the other hand, tho Princess should
desire to give or take auything--who could re-
fuse hor? So i was useless for ler suitors to
make the trial, for when they seemed likely to
DO successful, and had diverted the Princess SO
that she was about to take something from them,
the court-lady. always stepped between, and
spoiled the best-laid plan.
When the Princess wished to dispose Of one Of
them, she would appear 30 Charming aud en-
W uIA41 kuAk A0 "OA4A No C44htE14
fascinated, and when he sat at her feet, over
come with joy, then she would seize upon any
thing near her, as though by accident: Take
this as q remembrance Of me, " md when he had
it in his hands, before lie could think or speak
the necessary words, there would spring out at
him, from il. perhaps frog or hornet, or a
bat, and so Etartle him that he would forget the
words. Then, upon the spot, he WAS ehGyen,
and away with him. This went on for some
years, and in all the palaces Of the other king
doms the Princes wore wigs Thus it came to be
the custom from that time.
+. Finally it happened that d foreign Prince camo
upon some peculiar business, and by accident
saw the almond Princess. He thought her very
beautiful, and at once perceived tho stratagem.
A friendly little: gray man had glven him an
apple that once a year he was privileged to-
smell, and then there camo in his mind very
wise idea, and he had become much renowned
on account Of his deep wisdom. Now, it Tas
exactly timo for him to make use OF his applet
So with the scent from it came this warming:
If thou wouldst win in the game Of giving
aud taking, under no circumstances must thou
either give or take anything
So be had hts hands bound in his belt, and
went with his marshal to the palace, and asked to
be allowed to eat his almond. The Princess was
secretly much pleased with him, and Immediately
handed him an almond, which Lis marshal took
and placed in his month. The Princess inquired
what this meant, and, moreover, why he con-
stantly carried his hands in his girdle.
He replied that at his court the custom was
eren more strongly enforced than at hers. and
hands, at the most, only With his head and feet.
Then the Princess laughed and said -
TN this case We will mover be: able to hsTe
our little game together
- He sighed and anawered:-
Not unless you will be pleased to take some-
thing from my boots"
81 That can never happen!' exclaimed tho /
whole court. : .-...
-"Why have you coma hither,"- asked the
Princess a,,ngraly, "when you have such stupid
Because you are so beautiful" replied the
Prince. "And II cannot win you, may at
least have The pleasure OF seeing you.
=. =" On the other hand have no similar gratlh-
:ation," said she.
So the Prince remained ut the palace, and he
pleased her more and more; but when the humor
seized her, she tried in every manner to persuade
1im to take his hands from the girdle, and re-
'ei1e something from her. She also entertained
1im cha11ningly, and frequently offered him
bracelet, but not once did ho forget and stretch
,nt his hand to take them, for the pressure Of !
he girdle reminded him in time. So he would |
,od to his marshal, and he received them+ saying.
We remember" !
Then the Princess would become impatient,
allen Can your lordship pick it up for mes"
'he!enpon the Prince would fasten his spur
nto it. and wave it carelcssly, while the Princess
Eould haye to bend and remoye it from his foot, |
ngri1y saying: "I remember"
Thus q year passed away, and the Princess said
o herself: /
"Tlis cannot remain so. It must DO settled
q one way or the other"
She said to the Prince:
8: 7 hayo one Of the finest gardens in the world
will show your lordship over it, to-day"
The Prince smelt OF his apple. and as they en-
sted the garden, he said :. -..- -
" It is very beautiful here, and in order that
e may walk near each other in peace, and not
q disturbed by the desire to try our game, L beg
ou, my lady, that, for this one hour, Jou w1l
lie upon you the custom Of my court, and let
our hands also be fastened. Then re viii be
efe from each others art, and there Will DO
ot1in6 to annoy u.s." e., +
The Princess did not feel very safe about this
but be begged so strongly that she
'ula not refuse him this small favor. So they
ent on alone together, With their hands fastened
their girdles. The birds sang. tile sun shone +
armly, and from the trees. the red cherries
ang SO low that they brls1lol their cheeks as
loy passed The Princess saw them and e1-
aimed; :. -. -
=" What a pity that your lordship is not able to
rE a few FIR nc ~ t: !