I wish I could tell you how fine the company was that assembled thatevening at Ozma's royal banquet. A long table was spread in thecenter of the great dining-hall of the palace and the splendor of thedecorations and the blaze of lights and jewels was acknowledged to bethe most magnificent sight that any of the guests had ever seen.

The jolliest person present, as well as the most important, was ofcourse old Santa Claus; so he was given the seat of honor at one endof the table while at the other end sat Princess Ozma, the hostess.

John Dough, Queen Zixi, King Bud, the Queen of Ev and her son Evardo,and the Queen of Merryland had golden thrones to sit in, while theothers were supplied with beautiful chairs.

At the upper end of the banquet room was a separate table provided forthe animals. Toto sat at one end of this table with a bib tied aroundhis neck and a silver platter to eat from. At the other end wasplaced a small stand, with a low rail around the edge of it, for Billinaand her chicks. The rail kept the ten little Dorothys from fallingoff the stand, while the Yellow Hen could easily reach over and takeher food from her tray upon the table. At other places sat the HungryTiger, the Cowardly Lion, the Saw-Horse, the Rubber Bear, the Fox Kingand the Donkey King; they made quite a company of animals.

At the lower end of the great room was another table, at which sat theRyls and Knooks who had come with Santa Claus, the wooden soldiers whohad come with the Queen of Merryland, and the Hilanders and Lolanderswho had come with John Dough. Here were also seated the officers ofthe royal palace and of Ozma's army.

The splendid costumes of those at the three tables made a gorgeous andglittering display that no one present was ever likely to forget;perhaps there has never been in any part of the world at any timeanother assemblage of such wonderful people as that which gatheredthis evening to honor the birthday of the Ruler of Oz.

When all members of ethe company were in their places an orchestra offive hundred pieces, in a balcony overlooking the banquet room, began toplay sweet and delightful music. Then a door draped with royal greenopened, and in came the fair and girlish Princess Ozma, who nowgreeted her guests in person for the first time.

As she stood by her throne at the head of the banquet table every eyewas turned eagerly upon the lovely Princess, who was as dignified asshe was bewitching, and who smiled upon all her old and new friends ina way that touched their hearts and brought an answering smile toevery face.

Each guest had been served with a crystal goblet filled with lacasa,which is a sort of nectar famous in Oz and nicer to drink thansoda-water or lemonade. Santa now made a pretty speech in verse,congratulating Ozma on having a birthday, and asking every one presentto drink to the health and happiness of their dearly beloved hostess.This was done with great enthusiasm by those who were made so theycould drink at all, and those who could not drink politely touched therims of their goblets to their lips. All seated themselves at thetables and the servants of the Princess began serving the feast.

I am quite sure that only in Fairyland could such a delicious repastbe prepared. The dishes were of precious metals set with brilliantjewels and the good things to eat which were placed upon them werecountless in number and of exquisite flavor. Several present, such asthe Candy Man, the Rubber Bear, Tik-tok, and the Scarecrow, were notmade so they could eat, and the Queen of Merryland contented herselfwith a small dish of sawdust; but these enjoyed the pomp and glitterof the gorgeous scene as much as did those who feasted.

The Woggle-Bug read his "Ode to Ozma," which was written in very goodrhythm and was well received by the company. The Wizard added to theentertainment by making a big pie appear before Dorothy, and when thelittle girl cut the pie the nine tiny piglets leaped out of it anddanced around the table, while the orchestra played a merry tune. Thisamused the company very much, but they were even more pleased whenPolychrome, whose hunger had been easily satisfied, rose from thetable and performed her graceful and bewildering Rainbow Dance forthem. When it was ended, the people clapped their hands and theanimals clapped their paws, while Billina cackled and the Donkey Kingbrayed approval.

Johnny Dooit was present, and of course he proved he could do wondersin the way of eating, as well as in everything else that he undertookto do; the Tin Woodman sang a love song, every one joining in thechorus; and the wooden soldiers from Merryland gave an exhibition of alightning drill with their wooden muskets; the Ryls and Knooks dancedthe Fairy Circle; and the Rubber Bear bounced himself all around theroom. There was laughter and merriment on every side, and everybodywas having a royal good time. Button-Bright was so excited andinterested that he paid little attention to his fine dinner and agreat deal of attention to his queer companions; and perhaps he waswise to do this, because he could eat at any other time.

The feasting and merrymaking continued until late in the evening,when they separated to meet again the next morning and take partin the birthday celebration, to which this royal banquet was merelythe introduction.