, 1882-06-09
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The Grand Dukes New Suit

Once upon time there was a
Grand Duke so fond of new clothes
that he spent all his money on ms
toilet. Whenever he reviewed ms
troops. whenever he went to the
theater or for ride, it was always
for one purpose to show OF his new
clothes. Every hour of the day he
changed his COS. ,me; and, as 1t Is
said of King He is his council
chamber" it was said of him-"He
is his dressing-room.' The capital
was an exceedingly gay city, thanks
to the number Of foreigners passing
through it. But one day there like
wise came two rascals who gave
themselves out for weavers and de
clared they were capable of weaving
the most magnificent cloth in the
world. Not only were the colors and
materials of extraordinary beauty
but the garments made from this stuff
possessed marvellous property-they
became invisible to every functionary
ignorant of the requirements Of his
Office, or to any one OF limited under
standing.
"Those must, indeed, be invaluable
Clothes" thought the Grand Duke
to himself. with them l should be
enabled to find out the incapable men
of my Government, and readily dis
tinguish the competent from the
incompetent. Yes, this wondrous
cloth is indispensable to me-" He
then advanced large sum of money
to the two rogues, that they might
Immediately commence their work.
Indeed they set up two looms, and
made pretense of busying themselves,
though in reality there was absolutely
nothing on the bobbins. They .un-
ceasingly asked for the finest silk and
the purest of gold thread; but they
placed all that in their bag, working
till midnight at their empty looms.
"I should like to know how the
labor is progressing" said the Grand
Duke to himself. But he felt his
heart sink on recollecting that per-
SONS ignorant or incapable of fulfill
ing their functions were unable to
see this magic cloth. Not that he for
moment doubted his own capacity,
yet he judged it best to send some
one to make a prior examination.
The entire inhabitants of the city
were cognizant of the marvellous
qualities of the cloth, and all awaited
impatiently the knowledge of their
neighbors' stupidity.
81 will send my good old Minister
to the weavers," thought the Grand
Duke; "none can judge better of
the merits of their work than he, dis
tinguished as he is by his sense and
knowledge of the requirements of
the position he fills"
The honest old Minister entered
the room where the two impostors
piled their empty looms.
"Egad!" thought he, opening wide
his eyes, Il can see nothing" But
this he kept to himself.
The two rogues invited him to draw
near, and inquired of him how he
found the design and colors.
They at the same time pointed to
their looms, and the old Minister
earnestly fixed his gaze upon them;
but he saw nothing for the simple
reason that there was nothing to see.
"Gracious goodness" thought he,
sam I in reality a blockhead? None
must have a suspicion of this. Can
1 really be incapable9 dare not
avow that the cloth is invisible to me-"
swell, what think you of it?" said
one of the weavers.
"Charming! most charming" re-
piled the Minister, putting on his
spectacles. "This design and these
colors. Yes, ] will tell his Highness
that am extremely satisfied"
"It is fortunate for us" said the
weavers; and they commenced an
elaborate explanation of the forms
and beauties of this imaginary piece
of work. The old Minister paid the
utmost attention, that he might re-
peat to the Grand Duke true and
full description of it.
The rogues were continuous in
their demands for money, silk and
gold; an enormous quantity was re-
quired for this MOTTO be-equaled
tissue. OF course they pocketed all
the looms remained empty, and still
they worked on.
Some time after the Grand Duke
sent another honest functionary to
examine the cloth and see if it ad-
vanced to termination. The same
thing happened to this new deputy
as had happened to the Minister; he
looked and looked, but saw nothing.
ais not the tissue admirable? %
asked the two impostors, indicating
the superb design and gorgeous colors
that did not exist.
Sand yet / am not simpleton,"
thought the visitor. "Can / be in
capable of filling my office9 1t is
strange; but / will be careful how
lose my position" He praised the
cloth, and expressed his admiration