THE ROYAL TAILOR'S BILL FOR GARGANTUA'S SUIT.
[Illustration: Initial W.]
When 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
Grandgousier 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:--
HIS MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY,
TO THE ROYAL TAILOR, DR.
For His Royal Highness' shirt with gusset 1,100
Doublet of white satin 813
Breeches of white broadcloth 1,105½
Shoes of blue and crimson velvet 406
Coat of blue velvet 1,800
Girdle of silk serge 300½
Cap of velvet, half white and half blue 300½
Gown of blue velvet 9,600
Ells 15,425½
[Illustration: MAKING GARGANTUA'S SUIT.]
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 for 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.
[Illustration: MEASURING GARGANTUA FOR HIS SUIT.]