Page 132 (1/2)

Thus speaking, the chief cook, Signor Gianettino, took his hat and

gold-headed cane to go to the e

baskets, followed hietable and fish-market of Rome there was to-day a very

unusual and extraordinary life andand screa, such as had

not been heard for a long time It was partly in consequence of the fact

that the whole diploitated with

preparations for entertainments in honor of the Archduke Ferdinand,

who had come to Rome to see the wonders of the holy city, and who could

hardly find time and leisure for the festivities offered him But for

the tradesmen and dealers, for the country people in the vicinity of

Rome, this presence of the Austrian prince was a happy circumstance; for

these banquets and festivals scatteredthe people, and the

dealers and honest country people could fearlessly raise their prices,

as they were sure of a sale for their commodities The cooks and

servants of the diplo hither and

thither in busy haste, everywhere selecting the best, everywhere buying

and cheapening

But in one place in the market there was to-day an especial liveliness