Children's literature; Fairy tales; People with disabilities -- Juvenile fiction; Princes -- Juvenile fiction
The princess had a universal taste for amusement. One day, she was
saying to her attend-ants that it would give her great pleasure to know
how the ladies were dressed in all the courts of the universe. There
needed no more words to send Leander all over the world. He wished
himself in China, where he bought the richest stuffs he could lay his
hands on, and got patterns of all the court fashions. From thence he
flew to Siam, where he did the same; in three days he traveled over
all the four parts of the world, and from time to time brought what
he bought to the Palace of Calm Delights, and hid it all in a chamber,
which he kept always locked. When he had thus collected together all the
rarities he could meet with--for he never wanted money, his rose always
supplying him--he went and bought five or six dozen of dolls, which he
caused to be dressed at Paris, the place in the world where most
regard is paid to fashions. They were all dressed differently, and as
magnificent as could be, and Leander placed them all in the princess'
closet. When she entered it, she was agreeably surprised to see such
company of little mutes, every one decked with watches bracelets,
diamond buckles, or necklaces; and the most remarkable of them held a
picture box in its hand, which the princess opening, found it contained
Leander's portrait. She gave a loud shriek, and looking upon Abricotina,
“There have appeared of late,” said she, “so many wonders in this place,
that I know not what to think of them: my birds are all grown witty; I
cannot so much as wish, but presently I have my desires; twice have I
now seen the portrait of him who rescued thee from the ruffians; and
here are silks of all sorts, diamonds, embroideries, laces, and an
infinite number of other rarities. What fairy is it that takes such care
to pay me these agreeable civilities?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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