re in Comfit Grove, and yonder lies
the metropolis.'

"How shall I set about describing all the wonderful and beautiful
sights which Marie now saw, or give any idea of the splendour and
magnificence of the city which lay stretched out before her on a
flowery plain? Not only did the walls and towers of it shine in the
brightest and most gorgeous colours, but the shapes and appearance of
the buildings were like nothing to be seen on earth. Instead of roofs
the houses had on beautiful twining crowns, and the towers were
garlanded with beautiful leaf-work, sculptured and carved into
exquisite, intricate designs. As they passed in at the gateway, which
looked as if it was made entirely of macaroons and sugared fruits,
silver soldiers presented arms, and a little man in a brocade
dressing-gown threw himself upon Nutcracker's neck, crying:

"'Welcome, dearest prince! welcome to Sweetmeatburgh!'

"Marie wondered not a little to see such a very grand personage
recognise young Mr. Drosselmeier as a prince. But she heard such a
number of small delicate voices making such a loud clamouring and
talking, and such a laughing and chattering going on, and such a
singing and playing, that she couldn't give her attention to anything
else, but asked Drosselmeier what was the meaning of it all.

"'Oh, it is nothing out of the common, dearest Miss Stahlbaum,' he
answered. 'Sweetmeatburgh is a large, populous city, full of mirth and
entertainment. This is only the usual thing that is always going on
here every day. Please to come on a little farther.'

"After a few paces more they were in the great marketplace, which
presented the most magnificent appearance. All the houses which were
round it were of filagreed sugar-work, with galleries towering above
galleries; and in the centre stood a lofty cake covered with sugar, by
way of obelisk, with fountains round it spouting orgeade, lemonade, and
other delicious beverages into the air. The runnels at the sides of the
footways were full of creams, which you might have ladled up with a
spoon if you had chosen. But prettier than all this were the delightful
little people who were crowding about everywhere by the thousand,
shouting, laughing, playing, and singing, in short, producing all that
jubilant uproar which Marie had heard from the distance. There were
beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen, Greeks and Armenians,
Tyrolese and Jews, officers and soldiers, clergymen, shepherds,
jack-pudd