This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ... THE RED CAPS. Chapter I.--About The Baron. Baron Irritablehausen was a powerful prince; and he had always been a powerful prince, even from the days of his childhood, when he pinched and scratched all those who were deputed to take care of him; and, now that he was fifty years of age, he continued the same behaviour, only that his pinches were harder and his scratches deeper. All the people appointed to the places about his court were very proud of the honor, but very much afraid of the consequences, for the mighty baron was not at all particular about whom he hit; high or low, if they crossed his temper, woe betide them. The ringing of his morning-bell created as much confusion as firing a gun near a dove-cote; the consternation and flying about was dreadful. It was curious to observe the anxiety evinced by the whole court to know the state of his temper when he arose. They watched, with the utmost anxiety, the countenance of his first lord-in-Avaiting, who, of course, was the first to see him and take in his hot water. If he came out from his stormy lord smiling, every heart was rejoiced; but if, on the contrary, he came out with a black eye and a disordered ruff, a deep and suppressed groan betokened the inward terror of the whole household. The great baron's china bill was enormous, for he had the little amiable weakness of smashing any material of the kind that came in his way when the storm arose in his bosom; upon such occasions all the lords and all the ladies of his ante-chamber who might be smiling and chattering in the most agreeable and trifling manner, would suddenly stop, listen, and tremble, li The hair and mustachios of the noble lords would uncurl and straighten, whilst the rouge would sink, and leave the cheeks of the...