Produced by David Widger
After having thus described with truth and the most exact fidelity allthat has come to my knowledge through my own experience, or othersqualified to speak of Louis XIV. during the last twenty-two years of hislife: and after having shown him such as he was, without prejudice(although I have permitted myself to use the arguments naturallyresulting from things), nothing remains but to describe the outside lifeof this monarch, during my residence at the Court.
However insipid and perhaps superfluous details so well known may appearafter what has been already given, lessons will be found therein forkings who may wish to make themselves respected, and who may wish torespect themselves. What determines me still more is, that detailswearying, nay annoying, to instructed readers, who had been witnesses ofwhat I relate, soon escape the knowledge of posterity; and thatexperience shows us how much we regret that no one takes upon himself alabour, in his own time so ungrateful, but in future years sointeresting, and by which princes, who have made quite as much stir asthe one in question, are characterise. Although it may be difficult tosteer clear of repetitions, I will do my best to avoid them.
I will not speak much of the King's manner of living when with the army.His hours were determined by what was to be done, though he held hiscouncils regularly; I will simply say, that morning and evening he atewith people privileged to have that honour. When any one wished to claimit, the first gentleman of the chamber on duty was appealed to. He gavethe answer, and if favourable you presented yourself the next day to theKing, who said to you, "Monsieur, seat yourself at table." That beingdone, all was done. Ever afterwards you were at liberty to take a placeat the King's table, but with discretion. The number of the persons fromwhom a choice was made was, however, very limited. Even very highmilitary rank did not suffice. M. de Vauban, at the siege of Namur, wasoverwhelmed by the distinction. The King did the same honour at Namur tothe Abbe de Grancey, who exposed himself everywhere to confess thewounded and encourage the troops. No other Abbe was ever sodistinguished. All the clergy were excluded save the cardinals, and thebishops, piers, or the ecclesiastics who held the rank of foreignprinces.
At these repasts everybody was covered; it would have been a want ofrespect, of which you would have been immediately informed, if you hadnot kept your hat on your head. The King alone was uncovered. When theKing wished to speak to you, or you had occasion to speak to him, youuncovered. You uncovered, also, when Monseigneur or Monsieur spoke toyou, or you to them. For Princes of the blood you merely put your handto your hat. The King alone had an armchair. All the rest of thecompany, Monseigneur included, had seats, with backs of black moroccoleather, which could be folded up to be carried, and which were called"parrots." Except at the army, the King never ate with any man, underwhatever circumstances; not even with the Princes of the Blood, savesometimes at their wedding feasts.
Let us return now to the Court.
At eight o'clock the chief valet de chambre on duty, who alone had sleptin the royal chamber, and who had dressed himself, awoke the King. Thechief physician, the chief surgeon, and the nurse (as long as she lived),entered at the same time; the latter ki