Three good giants

There never was a happier baby than Gargantua the first time he was placed in the cart. He was, in truth, a marvel of a baby, both because his body was so big and his face was so broad that, from much drinking of milk and good wines, he could boast of several chins, — some said nine ; others swore there were ten,—which lapped each one over the other, as if they felt they were good company. Every day he would be taken out to ride. Then when he was tired he would cry, " Drink ! drink! drink! "

Whenever that cry was heard, presto ! the cart would come to a stand-still, the oxen would begin to munch, and everybody would make a rush to the wine-cellar. Of course, the King's son always had the best wines, and the lackey who was lucky enough to reach him first when he cried for drink always had the right to a cupful for himself. So it is quite certain that never was a baby so well waited on as was Gargantua. He cried " Drink! drink! drink I " so often that all the servants got to be sad topers from skipping off to the cellars whenever he called; and it turned out at last that even the tinkling of an empty glass, as a knife would strike against it, or the sight of a flagon or a bottle, would make him jump up and dance with joy, and start him afresh to bawling for "Drink! drink! drink!" and the lackeys to scampering to the wine-cellar after the wine.

CHAPTER IV. THE ROYAL TAILOR'S BILL FOR GARGANTUA'S SUIT.

HEN Gargantua had outgrown the age for riding in his ox-cart, and was just beginning to toddle round the palace-walks, it occurred to Father Grand-gousier that he was getting to be a big boy. So he ordered the Royal Tailor into his Royal Presence.

"So ho! Thou art the clothes-maker, art thou? Now, measure my son, and make a suit for him. His mother says he looks best in blue and white," was all he said.

The Royal Tailor bowed humbly, while all the time he was shivering in his fine velvets and silks, at the honor of making clothes for a Giant Prince. For the old King, who simply wanted everything loose and easy-like, it was all well enough; but how would it be when he began to fit the royal heir ? was what he kept asking himself. A royal tailor believes in his heart that he is a sort of king-maker, because he makes the clothes that give to a King that grand, imperial air which compels all men to kneel before him. He never will appear the least bit ruffled at the most impossible order given him, provided the order come from a King; but bows and smiles, no matter how sick and angry he may be at heart.

To do the Royal Tailor justice, he did his best with the order given him. He made the clothes — and his bill.

That bill is still kept at Montsoreau. It is really a curiosity, and runs in this way : —

MAKING GARGAXTUA S SOT.

His MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY,

To THE ROYAL TAILOR,

For His Royal Highness' shirt with gusset

Doublet of white satin ..... Breeches of white broadcloth .... Shoes of blue and ciimson velvet

Coat of blue velvet

Girdle of silk serge

Cap of velvet, half white and half blue Gown of blue velvet

Ells

DR.

1,100 813

1,1051 406

1,800 3001 3001

9,600

15,4251

Besides all this quantity of rich cloth for Gargantua's full court-suit, there was brought from Hyrcania the Wild a bright blue feather for his plume. This plume was held in place by a handsome enameled clasp of gold, -weighing sixty-eight marks, which the Crown Jewellers, by his father's orders, with great care, made for him; also a ring foi the forefinger of his left hand, with a carbuncle in it as large as an ostrich-egg; and a great chain of gold berries to wear around his neck, weighing twenty-five thousand and sixty-three marks.

MEASURING GAKGANTUA FOR HIS SUIT.

GARGANTUA AT PLAT.

CHAPTER V. THE YEAR GARGANTUA HAD WOODEN HORSES, AND WHAT USE HE MADE OF THEM.

FROM the time he was three years old to the time he had grown to be a boy of five, Gargantua was brought up, by the strict command of his father, just like all the other children of the Kingdom. His education was very simple. It was :

Drinking, eating, and sleeping ; Eating, sleeping, and drinking ; Sleeping, drinking, and eating.