on this account you will be much envied, and the eyes of all the country turned upon you.”
“Doubtless: most important intelligence!” said the chairman: “but who is your correspondent?”—“The old and eminent house of Wassermüller and Co.: and I thought it my duty to communicate the information without delay.”
“To be sure, to be sure: and the council is under the greatest obligation to you for the service.”
So said all the rest: for they all viewed in the light of a providential interference on behalf of the old system of fees, perquisites, and salaries, this opportunity so unexpectedly thrown in their way of winning the prince’s favour. To make the best use of this opportunity, however, it was absolutely necessary that their hospitalities should be on the most liberal scale. On that account, it was highly gratifying to the council that Commissioner Pig loyally volunteered the loan of his house. Some drawback undoubtedly it was on this pleasure, that Commissioner Pig in his next sentence made known that he must be paid for his loyalty. However, there was no remedy: and his demands were acceded to. For not only was Pig-house the only mansion in the town at all suitable for the occasion; but it was also known to be so in the prince’s capital, as clearly appeared from the letter which had just been read—at least when read by Pig himself.
All being thus arranged, and the council on the point of breaking up, a sudden cry of “treason!” was raised by a member; and the mace-bearer was detected skulking behind an arm-chair—perfidiously drinking in the secrets of the state. He was instantly dragged out, the enormity of his crime displayed to him, (which under many wise governments, the chairman assured him, would have been punished with the bowstring or instant decapitation) and after being amerced in a considerable fine which paid the first instalment of the Piggian demand, he was bound over to inviolable secrecy by an oath of great solemnity. This oath, on the suggestion of a member, was afterwards administered to the whole of the senate in rotation, as also to the Commissioner: which done, the council adjourned.
“Now, my dear creatures,” said the Commissioner to his wife and daughter, on returning home, “without a moment’s delay send for the painter, the upholsterer, the cabinet-maker, also for the butcher, the fishmonger, the poulterer, the confectioner; in one half hour let each and all be at work: and at work let them continue all day and all night.”
“At work! but what for? what for, Pig?”
“And, do you hear, as quickly as possible,” added Pig, driving them both out of the room.
