The Magic Glass; Or, the Secret of Happiness, Tr., with Additions, by Mrs. Campbell Overend. Or, the Secret of Happiness, Tr., with Additions, by Mrs. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1872. Excerpt: ... DAT IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD KING. "No sooner was I crept out of my cradle, But I was made a king, at nine months old: Was never subject long'd to be a king, As I do long and wish to be a subject." Shakespeare. NE day towards the end of the year 1715, early in the morning, a child five years old, who had been asleep in a magnificent room in the castle of Vincennes, awoke suddenly and looked towards a man who was reclining in a large easy chair near the bed. By the light of a bronze lamp suspended from the ceiling, the child saw that the man was asleep; and after having coughed several times, as if hesitating whether he would disturb the sleeper, he called out: THE KING A WAKES. 75 "Comtois Comtois " "Sire," replied Comtois, rising quickly, and going to the side of the bed. "Will you look if much snow has fallen last night." Without making any observation, Comtois went to the window, opened the heavy silkeD curtains, and replied: "A great deal of snow has fallen, sire." The young king, who, from his bed when the curtain was drawn back, could see the ground, and the trees in the park of Vincennes, completely white, exclaimed: "How delightful Oh let me rise quickly, Comtois; quick, quick, dress me: make haste, Comtois " "Why does your majesty wish to rise so early 1" said Comtois, seating himself again in his arm-chair. "Do you not know that I have a great battle to fight this morning, Comtois? I am sure that the enemy is already under arms I do not wish him to get before me." "The enemy sleeps, sire; if your majesty will take my advice, you will try to do the same." n 76 AN ARDENT COMMANDER. "Sleep, on a day of battle Such a thing was never heard of, as my cousin Orleans says. Let me get up, Comtois," replied the child, impatiently. "Will it please your ...