extremely serviceable." The emperor, being of the same opinion, ordered him to be paid a thousand florins; and so pleased was he with the first, that he commanded it to be inscribed in his court, in his bed-chamber, and in every place where he was accustomed to walk; and even upon the table-cloths from which he eat. Now the rigid justice of the emperor, occasioned a conspiracy among the vicious and refractory of his subjects; and finding the means of accomplishing their purposes, somewhat difficult, they engaged a barber, by large promises, to cut his throat as he shaved him. When the emperor, therefore, was to be shaved, the barber lathered his beard, and began to operate upon it; but casting his eyes over the towel which he had fastened round the royal neck"[1], he perceived woven thereon—"Whatever you do, do wisely, and think of the consequences." The inscription startled the tonsor, and he said to himself, "I am to-
- ↑ A curious picture. One sees the whole process—the towel twisted under his jaws; the lather shining round the chin, and the razor elevated for the operation. If he "shaved for two-pence," the description would be complete.
