themselves. And, as it seems that you are not destined to become the
father of a coming generation, you should, at least, endeavor to
become the progenitor of your ancestors and the father of your
fathers. Ancestors are born to you as children are to others, and,
if I am not mistaken, you are already the possessor of three. For a
gentleman of wealth and quality, this is, however, too few. I will,
therefore, drink to your health, that you may still be able to
create many ancestors. And I propose to your majesty to give him an
ancestor for every chimney which he frees from smoke."

"Silence, Pollnitz!" exclaimed the king, laughing. "No more of this
raillery. Listen to what I have to say. I have given Eckert the new
house, and as I have invested him with a title of nobility, it is
but proper that a noble coat-of-arms should be placed over his door.
Gentlemen, let us consider what the escutcheon of Eckert shall be.
Each of you, in his turn, shall give me his opinion. You, duke,
commence."

With grave and sober mien the gentlemen began to confer with each
other in regard to Von Eckert's escutcheon; and each one considering
the favor in which the former stood with the king, took pains to
propose the most magnificent coat-of-arms imaginable. But the king
was not pleased with the grave and learned devices which were
proposed. He disliked giving the newly-made baron a coat-of-arms
worthy of any house of old and established nobility, which would
have placed him on an equality with the oldest counts and barons of
the kingdom.

"When I build a house," said the king, "I wish every one, to see
that it is a new one; I therefore give it a nice white coat of