tood, and the Emperor said, "Good-morning!"

THE MARKET PLACE AT ODENSE (1836)

From 'The Story of My Life'

If the reader was a child who lived in Odense, he would just need to say
the words "St. Knud's Fair," and it would rise before him in the
brightest colors, lighted by the beams of childish fancy.... Somewhere
near the middle of the town, five streets meet and make a little
square.... There the town crier, in striped homespun, with a yellow
bandoleer, beat his drum and proclaimed from a scroll the splendid
things to be seen in the town.

"He beats a good drum," said the chamberlain.

"It would delight Spontini and Rossini to hear the fellow," said
William. "Really, Odense at New Year would just suit these composers.
The drums and fifes are in their glory. They drum the New Year in. Seven
or eight little drummers, or fifers, go from door to door, with troops
of children and old women, and they beat the drum-taps and the reveille.
That fetches the pennies. Then when the New Year is well drummed in the
city, they go into the country and drum for meat and porridge. The
drumming in of the New Year lasts until Lent."

"And then we have new sports," said the chamberlain. "The fishers come
from Stege with a full band, and on their shoulders a boat with all
sorts of flags.... Then they lay a board between two boats, and on this
two of the youngest and spryest wrestle till one falls into the
water.... But all the fun's gone now. When I was young, there was
different sport going. That was a sight! the corporation procession with
the banners and the harlequin atop, and at Shrovetide, when the butchers
led about an ox decked with ribbons and carnival twigs, with a boy on
his back with wings and a little shirt.... All that's past now, people
are got so fine. St. Knud's Fair is not what it used to be."

"Well, I'm glad it isn't," said William; "but let us go into the market
and look at the Jutlanders, who are sitting with their pottery
amidst the hay."

Just as the various professions in the Middle Ages had each its quarter,
so here the shoemakers had ranged their tables side by side, and behind
them stood the skillful workman in his long coat, and with his
well-brushed felt hat in his hand. Where the shoemakers' quarter ended,
the hatters' began, and there one was in the midst of the great market
where tents and booths formed many parallel streets. The milliners, the
goldsmiths, the pastry cooks, with booths of