ictures,
and the most delightful books he had seen in the whole course of his
life.

John spent the morning looking at these things, and when it was midday a
bell rang, and his servant said--

"Will you dine alone, sir, or with the large company?"

"With the large company, to be sure," replied John. So his servant led
him out. John, however, saw nothing but solitary halls lighted up with
precious stones, and here and there little men and women, who appeared
to him to glide in and out of the clefts and fissures of the rocks.
Wondering what it was the bells rang for, he said to his servant--

"But where is the company?"

Scarcely had he spoken when the hall they were in opened out to a great
extent, and a canopy set with diamonds and precious stones was drawn
over it. At the same moment he saw an immense throng of nicely dressed
little men and women pouring in through several open doors. The floor
opened in several places, and tables, covered with the most beautiful
ware, and the most luscious meats and fruits and wines, placed
themselves beside each other, and the chairs arranged themselves along
the tables, and then the men and women took their seats.

The principal persons now came forward and bowed to John, and led him to
their table, where they placed him among their most beautiful maidens, a
distinction which pleased John well. The party, too, was very merry, for
the underground people are extremely lively and cheerful, and can never
stay long quiet. Then the most charming music sounded over their heads,
and beautiful birds, flying about, sang most sweetly, and these were not
real birds but artificial ones which the little men make so ingeniously
that they can fly about and sing like natural ones.

The servants of both sexes who waited at table and handed about the
golden cups, and the silver and crystal baskets with fruit, were
children belonging to this world, whom some casualty or other had thrown
among the underground people, and who, having come down without securing
any pledge, were fallen into the power of the little ones. These were
differently clad. The boys and girls were dressed in short white coats
and jackets, and wore glass shoes so fine that their step could never be
heard, with blue caps on their heads, and silver belts round their
waists.

John at first pitied them, seeing how they were forced to run about and
wait on the little people, but as they looked cheerful and happy, and
were hands