intending the job. This outline of a story can be filled in with many details in regard to each of the four figures in the picture. The blacksmith’s tools and even the birdcage may come in for a share of attention.
The picture of Prince Baltasar Carlos on his pony (by Velasquez) carries a story which any one may read on the surface, but which may be greatly enriched by some historical information about the original of the young cavalier. The whole story runs something like this: In the country of Spain, nearly three hundred years ago, lived a prince name Baltasar Carlos. He was the first child of King Philip IV and Queen Isabella, and was therefore the heir-apparent to the throne of a great and powerful kingdom. The king was a sober, long-faced man, but the prince was a chubby boy, of sunny nature and winning ways. Great hopes were centered in his future, and he was his father’s idol as well as the darling of the court. Whatever toys were to be had were of course supplied to him, but in those far-away times there were none of the wonderful mechanical inventions which are made nowadays for children’s amusement. To entertain the little prince, a dwarf was employed as a playmate.[1] But Prince Baltasar liked animals better than toys, and playing with his pets was more fun than playing with a dwarf. This pleased the king very much, for he was himself a true sportsman, and the best horseman in Spain. He was determined to give his son every advantage of fine
- ↑ See picture of Prince and Dwarf in the Boston Art Museum.
