bearers，rug—bearersandothervaletsitcomprisesmostofthesuperiorofficials，thegrand—almoner，thealmonersonduty，thechaplain，themasteroftheoratory，thecaptainandmajorofthebody—guard，thecolonel—generalandmajoroftheFrenchguards，thecoloneloftheking’sregiment，thecaptainoftheCentSuisses，thegrand—huntsman，thegrandwolf—huntsman，thegrand—provost，thegrand—
masterandmasterofceremonies，thefirstbutler，thegrand—masterofthepantry，theforeignambassadors，theministersandsecretariesofstate，themarshalsofFranceandmostoftheseigniorsandprelatesofdistinction。Ushersplacetheranksinorderand，ifnecessary，imposesilence。Meanwhilethekingwasheshishandsandbeginshistoilet。Twopagesremovehisslippers；thegrand—masterofthewardrobedrawsoffhisnight—shirtbytherightarm，andthefirstvaletofthewardrobebytheleftarm，andbothofthemhandittoanofficerofthewardrobe，whilstavaletofthewardrobefetchestheshirtwrappedupinwhitetaffeta。Thingshavenowreachedthesolemnpoint，theculminationoftheceremony；thefifthentryhasbeenintroduced，and，inafewmoments，afterthekinghasputhisshirton，allthatisleftofthosewhoareknown，withotherhouseholdofficerswaitinginthegallery，completetheinflux。Thereisquiteaformalityinregardtothisshirt。ThehonorofhandingitisreservedtothesonsandgrandsonsofFrance；indefaultofthesetotheprincesofthebloodorthoselegitimized；intheirdefaulttothegrand—chamberlainortothefirstgentlemanofthebedchamber；—thelattercase，itmustbeobserved，beingveryrare，theprincesbeingobligedtobepresentattheking’slever，asweretheprincessesatthatofthequeen。[40]Atlasttheshirtispresentedandavaletcarriesofftheoldone；thefirstvaletofthewardrobeandthefirstvalet—de—chambreholdthefreshone，eachbyarightandleftarmrespectively，[41]whiletwoothervalets，duringthisoperation，extendhisdressing—gowninfrontofhimtoserveasascreen。Theshirtisnowonhisbackandthetoiletcommences。Avalet—de—chambresupportsamirrorbeforethekingwhiletwoothersonthetwosideslightitup，ifoccasionrequires，withflambeaux。Valetsofthewardrobefetchtherestoftheattire；thegrand—masterofthewardrobeputsthevestonandthedoublet，attachestheblueribbon，andclaspshisswordaroundhim；thenavaletassignedtothecravatsbringsseveraloftheseinabasket，whilethemasterofthewardrobearrangesaroundtheking’sneckthatwhichthekingselects。Afterthisavaletassignedtothehandkerchiefsbringsthreeoftheseonasilversalver，whilethegrand—masterofthewardrobeoffersthesalvertotheking，whochoosesone。Finallythemasterofthewardrobehandstothekinghishat，hisglovesandhiscane。Thekingthenstepstothesideofthebed，kneelsonacushionandsayshisprayers，whilstanalmonerinalowvoicerecitestheorisonQuoesumus，deusomnipotens。Thisdone，thekingannouncestheorderoftheday，andpasseswiththeleadingpersonsofhiscourtintohiscabinet，wherehesometimesgivesaudience。Meanwhiletherestofthecompanyawaithiminthegalleryinordertoaccompanyhimtomasswhenhecomesout。
Suchisthelever，apieceinfiveacts。—Nothingcouldbecontrivedbettercalculatedtofillupthevoidofanaristocraticlife；ahundredorthereaboutsofnotableseigniorsdisposeofacoupleofhoursincoming，inwaiting，inentering，indefiling，intakingpositions，instandingontheirfeet，inmaintaininganairofrespectandofeasesuitabletoasuperiorclassofwalkinggentlemen，whilethosebestqualifiedareabouttodothesamethingoverinthequeen’sapartment。
[42]—Theking，however，asanindirectconsequence，suffersthesametortureandthesameinactionasheimposes。Healsoisplayingapart；allhisstepsandallhisgestureshavebeendeterminedbeforehand；hehasbeenobligedtoarrangehisphysiognomyandhisvoice，nevertodepartfromanaffableanddignifiedair，toawardjudiciouslyhisglancesandhisnods，tokeepsilentortospeakonlyofthechase，andtosuppresshisownthoughts，ifhehasany。Onecannotindulgeinreverie，meditateorbeabsent—mindedwhenoneisbeforethefootlights；thepartmusthavedueattention。Besides，inadrawingroomthereisonlydrawingroomconversation，andthemaster’sthoughts，insteadofbeingdirectedinaprofitablechannel，mustbescatteredaboutliketheholywaterofthecourt。Allhoursofhisdayarepassedinasimilarmanner，exceptthreeorfourduringthemorning，duringwhichheisatthecouncilorinhisprivateroom；itmustbenoted，too，thatonthedaysafterhishunts，onreturninghomefromRambouilletatthreeo’clockinthemorning，hemustsleepthefewhourshehaslefttohim。TheambassadorMercy，[43]nevertheless，amanofcloseapplication，seemstothinkitsufficient；he，atleast，thinksthat\"LouisXVIisamanoforder，losingnotimeinuselessthings；\"hispredecessor，indeed，workedmuchless，scarcelyanhouraday。Three—quartersofhistimeisthusgivenuptoshow。Thesameretinuesurroundshimwhenheputsonhisboots，whenhetakesthemoff；whenhechangeshisclothestomounthishorse，whenhereturnshometodressfortheevening，andwhenhegoestohisroomatnighttoretire。\"Everyeveningforsixyears，saysapage，[44]eithermyselforoneofmycomradeshasseenLouisXVIgetintobedinpublic，\"withtheceremonialjustdescribed。
\"Itwasnotomittedtentimestomyknowledge，andthenaccidentallyorthroughindisposition。\"Theattendanceisyetmorenumerouswhenhedinesandtakessupper；for，besidesmentherearewomenpresent，duchessesseatedonthefolding—chairs，alsoothersstandingaroundthetable。Itisneedlesstostatethatintheeveningwhenheplays，orgivesaball，oraconcert，thecrowdrushesinandoverflows。Whenhehunts，besidestheladiesonhorsesandinvehicles，besidesofficersofthehunt，oftheguards，theequerry，thecloak—bearer，gun—bearer，surgeon，bone—setter，lunch—bearerandIknownothowmanyothers，allthegentlemenwhoaccompanyhimarehispermanentguests。
Anddonotimaginethatthissuiteisasmallone；[45]thedayM。deChateaubriandispresentedtherearefourfreshadditions，and\"withtheutmostpunctuality\"alltheyoungmenofhighrankjointheking’sretinuetwoorthreetimesaweek。Notonlytheeightortensceneswhichcomposeeachofthesedays，butagaintheshortintervalsbetweenthescenesarebesiegedandcarried。Peoplewatchforhim，walkbyhissideandspeakwithhimonhiswayfromhiscabinettothechapel，betweenhisapartmentandhiscarriage，betweenhiscarriageandhisapartment，betweenhiscabinetandhisdiningroom。Andstillmore，hislifebehindthescenesbelongstothepublic。Ifheisindisposedandbrothisbroughttohim，ifheisillandmedicineishandedtohim，\"aservantimmediatelysummonsthe’grandeentrée。’\"
Verily，thekingresemblesanoakstifledbytheinnumerablecreeperswhich，fromtoptobottom，clingtoitstrunk。Underarégimeofthisstampthereisawantofair；someopeninghastobefound；LouisXV
availedhimselfofthechaseandofsuppers；LouisXVIofthechaseandoflock—making。AndIhavenotmentionedtheinfinitedetailofetiquette，theextraordinaryceremonialofthestatedinner，thefifteen，twentyandthirtybeingsbusyaroundtheking’splatesandglasses，thesacramentalutterancesoftheoccasion，theprocessionoftheretinue，thearrivalof\"lanef\"\"l’essaidesplats，\"allasifinaByzantineorChinesecourt。[46]OnSundaystheentirepublic，thepublicingeneral，isadmitted，andthisiscalledthe\"grandcouvert，\"ascomplexandassolemnasahighmass。Accordinglytoeat，todrink，togetup，togotobed，istoadescendantofLouisXIV，toofficiate。[47]FrederickII，onhearinganexplanationofthisetiquette，declaredthatifhewerekingofFrancehisfirstedictwouldbetoappointanotherkingtoholdcourtinhisplace。Ineffect，ifthereareidlerstosalutetheremustbeanidlertobesaluted。Onlyonewaywaspossiblebywhichthemonarchcouldhavebeensetfree，andthatwastohaverecastandtransformedtheFrenchnobles，accordingtothePrussiansystem，intoahard—workingregimentofserviceablefunctionaries。But，solongasthecourtremainswhatitis，thatistosay，apompousparadeandadrawingroomdecoration，thekinghimselfmustlikewiseremainashowydecoration，oflittleornouse。
V。ROYALDISTRACTIONS。
Diversionsoftheroyalfamilyandofthecourt。—LouisXV。—LouisXVI。
Inshort，whatistheoccupationofawell—qualifiedmasterofahouse？Heamuseshimselfandheamuseshisguests；underhisroofanewpleasure—partycomesoffdaily。Letusenumeratethoseofaweek。
\"Yesterday，Sunday，\"saystheDucdeLuynes，\"ImetthekinggoingtohuntontheplainofSt。Denis，havingsleptatlaMuette，whereheintendstoremainshootingtodayandto—morrow，andtoreturnhereonTuesdayorWednesdaymorning，torundownastagthesameday，Wednesday。\"[48]Twomonthsafterthis，\"theking，\"againsaysM。deLuynes，\"hasbeenhuntingeverydayofthepastandofthepresentweek，excepttodayandonSundays，killing，sincethebeginning，3，500partridges。\"Heisalwaysontheroad，orhunting，orpassingfromoneresidencetoanother，fromVersaillestoFontainebleau，toChoisy，toMarly，tolaMuette，toCompiègne，toTrianon，toSaint—
Hubert，toBellevue，toRambouillet，and，generally，withhisentirecourt。[49]AtChoisy，especially，andatFontainebleauthiscompanyallleadamerrylife。AtFontainebleau\"SundayandFriday，play；
MondayandWednesday，aconcertinthequeen’sapartments；TuesdayandThursday，theFrenchcomedians；andSaturdayitistheItalians；\"
thereissomethingforeverydayintheweek。AtChoisy，writestheDauphine，[50]\"fromoneo’clock（intheafternoon）whenwedine，tooneo’clockatnightweremainout……Afterdiningweplayuntilsixo’clock，afterwhichwegotothetheater，whichlastsuntilhalf—pastnineo’clock，andnext，tosupper；afterthis，playagain，untilone，andsometimeshalf—pastone，o’clock。\"AtVersaillesthingsaremoremoderate；therearebuttwotheatricalentertainmentsandoneballaweek；buteveryeveningthereisplayandareceptionintheking’sapartment，inhisdaughters’，inhismistress’s，inhisdaughter—in—
law’s，besideshuntsandthreepettyexcursionsaweek。Recordsshowthat，inacertainyear，LouisXVsleptonlyfifty—twonightsatVersailles，whiletheAustrianAmbassadorwellsaysthat\"hismodeoflivingleaveshimnotanhourinthedayforattentiontoimportantmatters。\"—AstoLouisXVI，wehaveseenthathereservesafewhoursofthemorning；butthemachineiswoundup，andgoitmust。Howcanhewithdrawhimselffromhisguestsandnotdothehonorsofhishouse？Hereproprietyandcustomaretyrantsandathirddespotismmustbeadded，stillmoreabsolute:theimperiousvivacityofalivelyyoungqueenwhocannotendureanhour’sreading。—AtVersailles，threetheatricalentertainmentsandtwoballsaweek，twograndsuppersTuesdayandThursday，andfromtimetotime，theoperainParis。[51]AtFontainebleau，thetheaterthreetimesaweek，andonotherdays，playandsuppers。Duringthefollowingwinterthequeengivesamaskedballeachweek，inwhich\"thecontrivanceofthecostumes，thequadrillesarrangedinballets，andthedailyrehearsals，takesomuchtimeastoconsumetheentireweek。\"Duringthecarnivalof1777thequeen，besidesherownfêtes，attendstheballsofthePalais—Royalandthemaskedballsoftheopera；alittlelater，IfindanotherballattheabodeoftheComtesseDianadePolignac，whichsheattendswiththewholeroyalfamily，exceptMesdames，andwhichlastsfromhalf—pasteleveno’clockatnightuntileleveno’clockthenextmorning。Meanwhile，onordinarydays，thereistherageoffaro；inherdrawingroom\"thereisnolimittotheplay；
inoneeveningtheDucdeChartresloses8，000louis。ItreallyresemblesanItaliancarnival；thereisnothinglacking，neithermasksnorthecomedyofprivatelife；theyplay，theylaugh，theydance，theydine，theylistentomusic，theydoncostumes，theygetuppicnics（fêtes—champêtres），theyindulgeingossipandgallantries。\"
\"Thenewestsong，\"[52]saysacultivated，earnestladyofthebedchamber，\"thecurrentwitticismandlittlescandalousstories，formedthesolesubjectsofconversationinthequeen’scircleofintimates。\"—Astotheking，whoisratherdullandwhorequiresphysicalexercise，thechaseishismostimportantoccupation。Between1755and1789，[53]hehimself，onrecapitulatingwhathehadaccomplished，finds\"104boar—hunts，134stag—hunts，266ofbucks，33
withhounds，and1，025shootings，\"inall1，562hunting—days，averagingatleastonehunteverythreedays；besidesthistherearea149excursionswithouthunts，and223promenadesonhorsebackorincarriages。\"DuringfourmonthsoftheyearhegoestoRambouillettwiceaweekandreturnsafterhavingsupped，thatistosay，atthreeo’clockinthemorning。\"[54]Thisinveteratehabitendsinbecomingamania，andeveninsomethingworse。\"Thenonchalance，\"writesArthurYoung，June26，1789，\"andevenstupidityofthecourt，isunparalleled；themomentdemandsthegreatestdecision，andyesterday，whileitwasactuallyaquestionwhetherheshouldbeadogeofVeniceorakingofFrance，thekingwentahunting！\"Hisjournalreadslikethatofagamekeeper’s。Onreadingitatthemostimportantdatesoneisamazedatitsentries。Hewritesnothingonthedaysnotdevotedtohunting，whichmeansthattohimthesedaysareofnoaccount:
July11，1789，nothing；M。Neckerleaves。
July12thvespersandbenediction；MessieursdeMontmorin，deSaint—PriestanddelaLuzerneleave。
July13th，nothing。
July14th，nothing。
July29th，nothing；M。Neckerreturns……
August4th，stag—huntintheforestatMarly；tookone；goandcomeonhorseback。
August13th，audienceoftheStatesinthegallery；TeDeumduringthemassbelow；onestagtakeninthehuntatMarly……
August25th，complimentaryaudienceoftheStates；highmasswiththecordonsbleus；M。Baillyswornin；vespersandbenediction；statedinner……
October5th，shootingnearChatillon；killed81head；interruptedbyevents；goandcomeonhorseback。
October6th，leaveforParisathalf—pasttwelve；visittheH？tel—
de—Ville；supandrestattheTuileries。
October7thnothing；myauntscomeanddine。
October8th，nothing……
October12th，nothing；thestaghuntedatPortRoyal。
ShutupinParis，heldbythecrowds，hisheartisalwayswiththehounds。Twentytimesin1790wereadinhisjournalofastag—huntoccurringinthisorthatplace；heregretsnotbeingonhand。Noprivationismoreintolerabletohim；weencountertracesofhischagrinevenintheformalprotesthedrawsupbeforeleavingforVarennes；transportedtoParis，shutupintheTuileries，\"where，farfromfindingconveniencestowhichheisaccustomed，hehasnotevenenjoyedtheadvantagescommontopersonsineasycircumstances，\"hiscrowntohimhavingapparentlylostitsbrightestjewel。
VI。UPPERCLASSDISTRACTIONS。
Othersimilarlives。—Princesandprincesses。—Seigniorsofthecourt。—Financiersandparvenus。—Ambassadors，ministers，governors，generalofficers。
Asisthegeneralsoishisstaff；thegrandeesimitatetheirmonarch。Likesomecostlycolossaleffigyinmarble，erectedinthecenterofFrance，andofwhichreducedcopiesarescatteredbythousandsthroughouttheprovinces，thusdoesroyalliferepeatitself，inminorproportions，evenamongtheremotestgentry。Theobjectistomakeaparadeandtoreceive；tomakeafigureandtopassawaytimeingoodsociety。—Ifind，first，aroundthecourt，aboutadozenprincelycourts。Eachprinceorprincessofthebloodroyal，liketheking，hashishousefittedup，paidfor，inwholeorinpart，outofthetreasury，itsservicedividedintospecialdepartments，withgentlemen，pages，andladiesinwaiting，inbrief，fifty，onehundred，twohundred，andevenfivehundredappointments。
Thereisahouseholdofthiskindforthequeen，oneforMadameVictoire，oneforMadameElisabeth，oneforMonsieur，oneforMadame，onefortheComted’Artois，andonefortheComtessed’Artois。TherewillbeoneforMadameRoyale，oneforthelittleDauphin，onefortheDucdeNormandie，allthreechildrenoftheking，onefortheDucd’Angoulême，onefortheDucdeBerry，bothsonsoftheComted’Artois:childrensixorsevenyearsofagereceiveandmakeaparadeofthemselves。Onreferringtoaparticulardate，in1771，[55]IfindstillanotherfortheDucd’Orléans，onefortheDucdeBourbon，onefortheDuchesse，oneforthePrincedeCondé，onefortheComtedeClermont，oneforthePrincessdowagerdeConti，oneforthePrincedeConti，onefortheComtedelaMarche，onefortheDucdePenthièvre。
—Eachpersonage，besideshisorherapartmentundertheking’sroofhashisorherchateauandpalacewithhisorherowncircle，thequeenatTrianonandatSaint—Cloud，MesdamesatBellevue，MonsieurattheLuxembourgandatBrunoy，theComted’ArtoisatMeudonandatBagatelle，theDucd’OrléansatthePalaisRoyal，atMonceaux，atRancyandatVillers—Cotterets，thePrincedeContiattheTempleandatIle—Adam，theCondésatthePalais—BourbonandatChantilly，theDucdePenthièvreatSceaux，AnetandChateauvilain。Iomitone—halfoftheseresidences。AtthePalais—Royalthosewhoarepresentedmaycometothesupperonoperadays。AtChateauvilainallthosewhocometopaycourtareinvitedtodinner，thenoblesattheduke’stableandtherestatthetableofhisfirstgentleman。AttheTempleonehundredandfiftyguestsattendtheMondaysuppers。Fortyorfiftypersons，saidtheDuchessedeMaine，constitute\"aprince’sprivatecompany。\"[56]Theprinces’trainissoinseparablefromtheirpersonsthatitfollowsthemevenintocamp。\"ThePrincedeCondé，\"saysM。deLuynes，\"setsoutforthearmyto—morrowwithalargesuite:hehastwohundredandtwenty—fivehorses，andtheComtedelaMarcheonehundred。M。leducd’OrléansleavesonMonday；hehasthreehundredandfiftyhorsesforhimselfandsuite。\"[57]Belowtherankoftheking’srelativesallthegrandeeswhofigureatthecourtfigureaswellintheirownresidences，attheirhotelsatParisoratVersailles，alsointheirchateauxafewleaguesawayfromParis。Onallsides，inthememoirs，weobtainaforeshortenedviewofsomeoneoftheseseignorialexistences。SuchisthatoftheDucdeGèvres，firstgentlemanofthebedchamber，governorofParis，andoftheIle—
de—France，possessingbesidesthisthespecialgovernorshipsofLaon，Soissons，Noyon，CrespyandValois，thecaptainryofMousseaux，alsoapensionof20，000livres，averitablemanofthecourt，asortofsampleinhighreliefofthepeopleofhisclass，andwho，throughhisappointments，hisairs，hisluxury，hisdebts，theconsiderationheenjoys，histastes，hisoccupationsandhisturnofmindpresentstousanabridgmentofthefashionableworld。[58]Hismemoryforrelationshipsandgenealogiesissurprising；heisanadeptinthepreciousscienceofetiquette，andonthesetwogroundsheisanoracleandmuchconsulted。\"HegreatlyincreasedthebeautyofhishouseandgardensatSaint—Ouen。Atthemomentofhisdeath，\"saystheDucdeLuynes，\"hehadjustaddedtwenty—fivearpentstoitwhichhehadbeguntoenclosewithacoveredterrace……Hehadquitealargehouseholdofgentlemen，pages，anddomesticofvariouskinds，andhisexpenditurewasenormous……Hegaveagranddinnereveryday……Hegavespecialaudiencesalmostdaily。Therewasnooneatthecourt，norinthecity，whodidnotpayhisrespectstohim。Theministers，theroyalprincesthemselvesdidso。Hereceivedcompanywhilststillinbed。Hewroteanddictatedamidstalargeassemblage……HishouseatParisandhisapartmentatVersailleswereneveremptyfromthetimebearosetillthetimeheretired。\"2or300
householdsatParis，atVersaillesandintheirenvirons，offerasimilarspectacle。Neveristheresolitude。ItisthecustominFrance，saysHoraceWalpole，toburnyourcandledowntoitssnuffinpublic。ThemansionoftheDuchessedeGramontisbesiegedatday—
breakbythenoblestseigniorsandthenoblestladies。Fivetimesaweek，undertheDucdeChoiseul’sroof，thebutlerentersthedrawingroomatteno’clockintheeveningtobestowaglanceontheimmensecrowdedgalleryanddecideifheshalllaytheclothforfifty，sixtyoreightypersons；[59]withthisexamplebeforethemalltherichestablishmentssoongloryinprovidinganopentableforallcomers。
Naturallytheparvenus，thefinancierswhohavepurchasedortakenthenameofanestate，allthosetraffickersandsonsoftraffickerswho，sinceLaw，associatewiththenobility，imitatetheirways。AndIdonotalludetotheBourets，theBeaujons，theSt。Jamesesandotherfinancialwretcheswhoseparaphernaliaeffacesthatoftheprinces；
buttakeaplainassociédesfermes，M。d’Epinay，whosemodestandrefinedwiferefusessuchexcessivedisplay。[60]Hehadjustcompletedhisdomesticarrangements，andwasanxiousthathiswifeshouldtakeasecondmaid；butsheresisted；nevertheless，inthiscurtailedhousehold，\"theofficers，womenandvalets，amountedtosixteen……WhenM。
d’Epinaygetsuphisvaletentersonhisduties。Twolackeysstandbyawaitinghisorders。Thefirstsecretaryentersforthepurposeofgivinganaccountofthelettersreceivedbyhimandwhichhehastoopen；butheisinterruptedtwohundredtimesinthisbusinessbyallsortsofpeopleimaginable。Nowitisahorse—jockeywiththefinesthorsestosell……Againsomesaucygirlwhocallstobawloutapieceofmusic，andonwhosebehalfsomeinfluencehasbeenexertedtogetherintotheopera，aftergivingherafewlessonsingoodtasteandteachingherwhatisproperinFrenchmusic。ThisyoungladyhasbeenmadetowaittoascertainifIamstillathome……Igetupandgoout。Twolackeysopenthefoldingdoorstoletmemakeitthroughthiseyeofaneedle，whiletwoservantsbawloutintheante—
chamber，’Madame，gentlemen，Madame！’Allformaline，thegentlemenconsistingofdealersinfabrics，ininstruments，jewellers，hawkers，lackeys，shoeblacks，creditors，inshorteverythingimaginablethatismostridiculousandannoying。Theclockstrikestwelveoronebeforethistoiletmatterisover，andthesecretary，who，doubtless，knowsbyexperiencetheimpossibilityofrenderingadetailedstatementofhisbusiness，handstohismasterasmallmemoranduminforminghimwhathemustsayintheassemblyoffermiers。\"
Indolence，disorder，debts，ceremony，thetoneandwaysofthepatron，allseemsaparodyoftherealthing。Wearebeholdingthelaststagesofaristocracy。AndyetthecourtofM。d’Epinayisaminiatureresemblanceofthatoftheking。
Somuchmoreessentialisitthattheambassadors，ministersandgeneralofficerswhorepresentthekingshoulddisplaythemselvesinagrandiosemanner。Nocircumstancerenderedtheancientrégimesobrilliantandmoreoppressive；inthis，asinalltherest，LouisXIV
istheprincipaloriginatorofevilasofgood。Thepolicywhichfashionedthecourtprescribedostentation。
\"Adisplayofdress，table，equipages，buildingsandplaywasmadepurposelytoplease；theseaffordedopportunitiesforenteringintoconversationwithhim。Thecontagionhadspreadfromthecourtintotheprovincesandtothearmies，wherepeopleofanypositionwereesteemedonlyinproportiontotheirtableandmagnificence。\"[61]
DuringtheyearpassedbytheMarshaldeBelle—IsleatFrankfort，onaccountoftheelectionofCharlesVI，heexpended750，000livresinjourneys，transportations，festivalsanddinners，inconstructingakitchenanddining—hall，andbesidesallthis，150，000livresinsnuff—boxes，watchesandotherpresents；byorderofCardinalFleury，soeconomical，hehadinhiskitchensonehundredandoneofficials。[62]AtVienna，in1772，theambassador，thePrincedeRohan，hadtwocarriagescostingtogether40，000livres，fortyhorses，sevennoblepages，sixgentlemen，fivesecretaries，tenmusicians，twelvefootmen，andfourgroomswhosegorgeousliverieseachcost4，000livres，andtherestinproportion。[63]Wearefamiliarwiththeprofusion，thegoodtaste，theexquisitedinners，andtheadmirableceremonialdisplayoftheCardinaldeBernisinRome。\"HewascalledthekingofRome，andindeedhewassuchthroughhismagnificenceandintheconsiderationheenjoyed……Histableaffordedanideaofwhatispossible……Infestivities，ceremoniesandilluminationshewasalwaysbeyondcomparison。\"Hehimselfremarked，smiling，\"IkeepaFrenchinnonthecross—roadsofEurope。\"[64]Accordinglytheirsalariesandindemnitiesaretwoorthreetimesmoreamplethanatthepresentday。\"Thekinggives50，000crownstothegreatembassies。TheDucdeDurasreceivedeven200，000livresperannumforthatofMadrid，also，besidesthis，100，000crownsgratuity，50，000livresforsecretservice；andhehadtheloanoffurnitureandeffectsvaluedat400，000and500，000livres，ofwhichhekeptone—half。\"[65]Theoutlaysandsalariesoftheministersaresimilar。In1789，theChancellorgets120，080livressalaryandtheKeeperoftheSeals135，000。\"M。deVilledeuil，asSecretaryofState，wastohavehad180，670livres，butasherepresentedthatthissumwouldnotcoverhisexpenses，hissalarywasraisedto226，000livres，everythingincluded。\"[66]Moreover，theruleis，thatonretiringfromofficethekingawardsthemapensionof20，000livresandgivesadowryof200，000livrestotheirdaughters。Thisisnotexcessiveconsideringthewaytheylive。\"Theyareobligedtomaintainsuchstateintheirhouseholds，fortheycannotenrichthemselvesbytheirplaces。AllkeepopentableatParisthreedaysintheweek，andatFontainebleaueveryday。\"[67]M。deLamoignonbeingappointedChancellorwithasalaryof100，000livres，peopleatoncedeclarethathewillberuined；[68]\"forhehastakenalltheofficialsofM。d’Aguesseau’skitchen，whosetablealonecost80，000livres。ThebanquethegaveatVersaillestothefirstcouncilheldbyhimcost6，000livres，andhemustalwayshaveseatsattable，atVersaillesandatParis，fortwentypersons。\"AtChambord，[69]MarshaldeSaxealwayshastwotables，oneforsixty，andtheotherforeightypersons；alsofourhundredhorsesinhisstables，acivillistofmorethan100，000
crowns，aregimentofUhlansforhisguard，andatheatercostingover600，000livres，whilethelifeheleads，orwhichismaintainedaroundhim，resemblesoneofRubens’sbacchanalianscenes。Astothespecialandgeneralprovincialgovernorswehaveseenthat，whentheyresideonthespot，theyfulfillnootherdutythantoentertain；alongsideofthemtheintendant，whoaloneattendstobusiness，likewisereceives，andmagnificently，especiallyforthecountryofaStates—
General。Commandants，lieutenants—general，theenvoysofthecentralgovernmentthroughout，areequallyinducedbyhabitandpropriety，aswellasbytheirownlackofoccupation，tomaintainadrawing—room；
theybringalongwiththemtheeleganceandhospitalityofVersailles。
Ifthewifefollowsthemshebecomeswearyand\"vegetatesinthemidstofaboutfiftycompanions，talkingnothingbutcommonplace，knittingorplayinglotto，andsittingthreehoursatthedinnertable。\"But\"allthemilitarymen，alltheneighboringgentryandalltheladiesinthetown，\"eagerlycrowdtoherballsanddelightincommending\"hergrace，herpoliteness，herequality。\"[70]Thesesumptuoushabitsprevailevenamongpeopleofsecondaryposition。Byvirtueofestablishedusagecolonelsandcaptainsentertaintheirsubordinatesandthusexpend\"muchbeyondtheirsalaries。\"[71]Thisisoneofthereasonswhyregimentsarereservedforthesonsofthebestfamilies，andcompaniesinthemforwealthygentlemen。Thevastroyaltree，expandingsoluxuriantlyatVersailles，sendsforthitsoffshootstooverrunFrancebythousands，andtobloomeverywhere，asatVersailles，inbouquetsoffineryandofdrawingroomsociability。
VII。PROVINCIALNOBILITY。
Prelates，seigniorsandminorprovincialnobles。—Thefeudalaristocracytransformedintoadrawingroomgroup。
Followingthispattern，andaswellthroughtheeffectoftemperature，wesee，eveninremoteprovinces，allaristocraticbrancheshavingaflourishingsociallife。Lackingotheremployment，thenoblesexchangevisits，andthechieffunctionofaprominentseignioristodothehonorsofhishousecreditably。Thisappliesaswelltoecclesiasticsastolaymen。Theonehundredandthirty—onebishopsandarchbishops，thesevenhundredabbés—commendatory，areallmenoftheworld；theybehavewell，arerich，andarenotaustere，whiletheirepiscopalpalaceorabbeyisforthemacountry—house，whichtheyrepairorembellishwithaviewtothetimetheypassinit，andtothecompanytheywelcometoit。[72]AtClairvaux，DomRocourt，veryaffablewithmenandstillmoregallantwiththeladies，neverdrivesoutexceptwithfourhorses，andwithamountedgroomahead；hismonksdohimthehonorsofaMonseigneur，andhemaintainsaveritablecourt。ThechartreuseofValSaint—Pierreisasumptuouspalaceinthecenterofanimmensedomain，andthefather—procurator，DomEffinger，passeshisdaysinentertaininghisguests。[73]AttheconventofOrigny，nearSaint—Quentin，[74]\"theabbesshasherdomesticsandhercarriageandhorses，andreceivesmenonvisits，whodineinherapartments。\"TheprincessChristine，abbessofRemiremont，withherladycanonesses，arealmostalwaystraveling；andyet\"theyenjoythemselvesintheabbey，\"entertainingthereagoodmanypeople\"intheprivateapartmentsoftheprincess，andinthestrangers’
rooms。\"[75]Thetwenty—fivenoblechaptersofwomen，andthenineteennoblechaptersofmen，areasmanypermanentdrawing—roomsandgatheringplacesincessantlyresortedtobythefinesocietywhichaslightecclesiasticalbarrierscarcelydividesfromthegreatworldfromwhichitisrecruited。AtthechapterofAlix，nearLyons，thecanonesseswearhoopskirtsintothechoir，\"dressedasintheworldoutside，\"exceptthattheirblacksilkrobesandtheirmantlesarelinedwithermine。[76]AtthechapterofOttmarsheiminAlsace，\"ourweekwaspassedinpromenading，invisitingthetracesofRomanroads，inlaughingagooddeal，andevenindancing，forthereweremanypeoplevisitingtheabbey，andespeciallytalkingoverdresses。\"NearSarrebuis，thecanonessesofLoutredinewiththeofficersandareanythingbutprudish。[77]Numbersofconventsserveasagreeableandrespectableasylumsforwidowedladies，foryoungwomenwhosehusbandsareinthearmy，andforyoungladiesofrank，whilethesuperior，generallysomenobledamsel，wields，witheaseanddexterity，thescepterofthisprettyfeminineworld。Butnowhereisthepompofhospitalityortheconcoursegreater，thanintheepiscopalpalaces。I
havedescribedthesituationofthebishops；withtheiropulence，possessorsofthelikefeudalrights，heirsandsuccessorstotheancientsovereignsoftheterritory，andbesidesallthis，menoftheworldandfrequentersofVersailles，whyshouldtheynotkeepacourt？
ACicé，archbishopofBordeaux，aDillon，archbishopofNarbonne，aBrienne，archbishopofToulouse，aCastellane，bishopofMendeandseignior—suzerainofthewholeofGévaudan，anarchbishopofCambrai，dukeofCambray，seignior—suzerainofthewholeofCambrésis，andpresidentbybirthoftheprovincialStates—General，arenearlyallprinces；whynotparadethemselveslikeprinces？Hence，theybuild，huntandhavetheirclientsandguests，alever，anantechamber，ushers，officers，afreetable，acompletehousehold，equipages，and，oftenerstill，debts，thefinishingtouchofagrandseignior。InthealmostregalpalacewhichtheRohans，hereditarybishopsofStrasbourgandcardinalsfromuncletonephew，erectedforthemselvesatSaverne，[78]thereare700beds，180horses，14butlers，and25
valets。\"Thewholeprovinceassemblesthere；\"thecardinallodgesasmanyastwohundredguestsatatime，withoutcountingthevalets；atalltimestherearefoundunderhisroof\"fromtwentytothirtyladiesthemostagreeableoftheprovince，andthisnumberisoftenincreasedbythoseofthecourtandfromParis……Theentirecompanysuptogetheratnineo’clockintheevening，whichalwayslookslikeafête，\"andthecardinalhimselfisitschiefornament。Splendidlydressed，fine—looking，gallant，exquisitelypolite，theslightestsmileisagrace。\"Hisface，alwaysbeaming，inspiredconfidence；hehadthetruephysiognomyofamanexpresslydesignedforpompousdisplay。\"
Suchlikewiseistheattitudeandoccupationoftheprincipallayseigniors，athome，insummer，whenaloveofthecharmsoffineweatherbringsthembacktotheirestates。Forexample，HarcourtinNormandyandBrienneinChampagnearetwochateauxthebestfrequented。\"PersonsofdistinctionresorttoitfromParis，eminentmenofletters，whilethenobilityofthecantonpaythereanassiduouscourt。\"[79]Thereisnoresidencewhereflocksoffashionablepeopledonotlightdownpermanentlytodine，todance，tohunt，togossip，tounravel，[80]（parfiler）toplaycomedy。Wecantracethesebirdsfromcagetocage；theyremainaweek，amonth，threemonths，displayingtheirplumageandtheirprattle。FromParistoIle—Adam，toVillers—Cotterets，toFrétoy，toPlanchette，toSoissons，toRheims，toGrisolles，toSillery，toBraine，toBalincourt，toVaudreuil，theComteandComtessedeGenlisthusbearabouttheirleisure，theirwit，theirgaiety，atthedomicilesoffriendswhom，intheirturn，theyentertainatGenlis。Aglanceattheexteriorsofthesemansionssufficestoshowthatitwasthechiefdutyinthesedaystobehospitable，asitwasaprimenecessitytobeinsociety。[81]Theirluxury，indeed，differsfromours。Withtheexceptionofafewprincelyestablishmentsitisnotgreatinthematterofcountryfurniture；adisplayofthisdescriptionislefttothefinanciers。\"Butitisprodigiousinallthingswhichcanministertotheenjoymentofothers，inhorses，carriages，andinanopentable，inaccommodationsgiveneventopeoplenotbelongingtothehouse，inboxesattheplaywhicharelenttofriends，andlastly，inservants，muchmorenumerousthannowadays。\"ThroughthismutualandconstantattentionthemostrusticnobleslosetheruststillencrustingtheirbrethreninGermanyorinEngland。WefindinFrancefewSquireWesternandBaronsdeThunder—ten—Troenck；anAlsatianlady，onseeingatFrankfortthegrotesquecountrysquiresofWestphalia，isstruckwiththecontrast。[82]ThoseofFrance，evenindistantprovinces，havefrequentedthedrawing—roomsofthecommandantandintendant，andhaveencounteredontheirvisitssomeoftheladiesfromVersailles；hencetheyalwaysshowsomefamiliaritywithsuperiormannersandsomeknowledgeofthechangesoffashionanddress。\"Themostbarbarouswilldescend，withhishatinhishand，tothefootofhisstepstoescorthisguests，thankingthemforthehonortheyhavedonehim。Thegreatestrustic，wheninawoman’spresence，divesdownintothedepthsofhismemoryforsomefragmentofchivalricgallantry。ThepoorestandmostsecludedfurbishesuphiscoatofroyalblueandhiscrossofSt。Louisthathemay，whentheoccasionoffers，tenderhisrespectstohisneighbor，thegrandseignior，ortotheprincewhoispassingby。
Thusisthefeudalstaffwhollytransformed，fromthelowesttothehighestgrades。Takinginatoneglanceits30or40，000palaces，mansions，manorsandabbeys，whatabrilliantandengagingsceneFrancepresents！Sheisonevastdrawing—room，andIdetectonlydrawingroomcompany。Everywheretherudechieftainsoncepossessingauthorityhavebecomethemastersofhouseholdsadministeringfavors。
Theirsocietyisthatinwhich，beforefullyadmiringagreatgeneral，thequestionisasked，\"isheamiable？\"Undoubtedlytheystillwearswords，andarebravethroughprideandtradition，andtheyknowhowtodie，especiallyinduelsandaccordingtoform。Butworldlytraitshavehiddentheancientmilitarygroundwork；attheendoftheeighteenthcenturytheirgeniusistobewellbredandtheiremploymentconsistsinentertainingorinbeingentertained。
Notes:
[1]。\"MémoiresdeLaporte\"（1632）。\"M。d’EpernoncametoBordeaux，wherehefoundHisEminenceveryill。Hevisitedhimregularlyeverymorning，havingtwohundredguardstoaccompanyhimtothedoorofhischamber。\"—\"MémoiresdeRetz。\"\"Wecametotheaudience，M。deBeaufortandmyself；withacorpsofnobleswhichmightnumberthreehundredgentlemen；MM。theprinceshadwiththemnearlyathousandgentlemen。\"—Allthememoirsofthetimeshowoneverypagethattheseescortswerenecessarytomakeorrepelsuddenattacks。
[2]。Mercier，\"TableaudeParis。\"IX。3。
[3]。Leroi，\"HistoiredeVersailles，\"Il。21。（70，000fixedpopulationand10，000floatingpopulationaccordingtotheregistersofthemayoralty。）
[4]。Warroquier，\"EtatdelaFrance\"（1789）。Thelistofpersonspresentedatcourtbetween1779and1789，contains463menand414
women。Vol。II。p。515。
[5]。PeoplewererunoveralmosteverydayinParisbythefashionablevehicles，itbeingthehabitofthegreattorideveryfast。
[6]。153，222，827livres，10sous，3deniers。（\"Souvenirsd’unpagedelacourdeLouisXVI。，\"bytheCountd’Hézecques，p。142。）—In1690，beforethechapelandthetheaterwereconstructed，ithadalreadycost100，000，000，（St。Simon，XII。514。MemoirsofMarinier，clerkoftheking’sbuildings。）
[7]。MuseumofEngravings，NationalLibrary。\"HistoiredeFranceparestampes，\"passim，andparticularlytheplansandviewsofVersailles，byAveline；also，\"thedrawingofacollationgivenbyM。
lePrinceintheLabyrinthofChantilly，\"Aug。29，1687。
[8]。Memoirs，I。221。HewaspresentedatcourtFebruary19，1787。
[9]。Forthesedetailscf。Warroquier，vol。I。passim。—Archivesimperiales，O1，710bis，theking’shousehold，expenditureof1771。—
D’Argenson，February25，1752。—In1772threemillionsareexpendedontheinstallationoftheCountd’Artois。AsuiteofroomsforMme。
Adelaidecost800，000livres。
[10]。MarieAntoinette，\"Correspondancesecréte，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy，III。192。LetterofMercy，January25，1779。—Warroquier，in1789，mentionsonlyfifteenplacesinthehouse—holdofMadameRoyale。This，alongwithotherindications，showstheinadequacyofofficialstatements。
[11]。Thenumberascertainableafterthereductionsof1775and1776，andbeforethoseof1787。SeeWarroquier，vol。I。—Necker，\"AdministrationdesFinances，\"II。119。
[12]。\"LaMaisonduRoien1786，\"coloredengravingsintheMuseumofEngravings。
[13]。Arcchivesnationales，O1，738。ReportbyM。Tessier（1780），onthelargeandsmallstables。Thequeen’sstablescomprise75
vehiclesand330horses。Thesearetheveritablefigurestakenfromsecretmanuscriptreports，showingtheinadequacyofofficialstatements。TheVersaillesAlmanachof1775，forinstance，statesthattherewereonly335meninthestableswhileweseethatinrealitythenumberwasfourorfivetimesasmany。—\"Previoustoallthereforms，saysawitness，Ibelievethatthenumberoftheking’shorsesamountedto3，000。\"（D’Hézecques，\"Souvenirsd’unpagedeLouisXVI。，\"p。121。
[14]。LaMaisonduRoijustifiéeparunsoldatcitoyen，\"（1786）
accordingtoStatementspublishedbythegovernment。—\"Lafuturemaisonduroi\"（1790）。\"Thetwostablescostin1786，thelargerone4，207，606livres，andthesmaller3，509，402livres，atotalof7，717，058livres，ofwhich486，546wereforthepurchaseofhorses。
[15]。OnmyarrivalatVersailles（1786），therewere150pages，notincludingthoseoftheprincesofthebloodwholivedatParis。A
page’scoatcost1，500livres，（crimsonvelvetembroideredwithgoldonalltheseams，andahatwithfeatherandSpanishpointlace。）\"
D’Hézecques，ibid。，112。
[16]。Archivesnationales，O1，778。Memorandumonthehunting—trainbetween1760and1792andespeciallythereportof1786。
[17]。Mercier，\"TableaudeParis，\"vol。I。p。11；vol。V。p。62。—
D’Hézecques，ibid。253。—\"JournaldeLouisXVI，\"publishedbyNicolardot，passim。
[18]。Warroquier，vol。I。passim。HouseholdoftheQueen:forthechapel22persons，thefaculty6。ThatofMonsieur，thechapel22，thefaculty21。ThatofMadame，thechapel20，thefaculty9。ThatoftheComted’Artois，thechapel20，thefaculty28。ThatoftheComtessed’Artois，thechapel19，thefaculty17。ThatoftheDucd’Orléans，thechapel6，thefaculty19。
[19]。Archivesnational，O1，ReportbyM。MesnarddeChoisy，（March，1780）。—Theycauseareform（August17，1780）。—\"LaMaisonduroijustifiée\"（1789），p。24。In1788theexpensesofthetablearereducedto2，870，999livres，ofwhich600，000livresareappropriatedtoMesdamesfortheirtable。
[20]。D’Hézecques，ibid……212。UnderLouisXVI。thereweretwochair—carrierstotheking，whocameeverymorning，invelvetcoatsandwithswordsbytheirsides，toinspectandemptytheobjectoftheirfunctions；thispostwasworthtoeachone20，000livresperannum。
[21]。In1787，LouisXVI。eitherdemolishesororderstobesold，Madrid，laMuetteandChoisy；hisacquisitions，however，Saint—Cloud，Ile—AdamandRambouillet，greatlysurpassinghisreforms。
[22]。Necker；\"Compte—rendu，\"II。452。—Archivesnationales，01，738。p。62and64，O12805，O1736。—\"LaMaisonduroiJustifiée\"
（1789）。Constructionsin1775，3，924，400，in1786，4，000，000，in1788，3，077，000livres。—Furniturein1788，1，700，000livres。
[23]。Herearesomeofthecasualexpenses。（Archivesnationales，O1，2805）。OnthebirthoftheDucdeBourgognein1751，604，477
livres。FortheDauphin’smarriagein1770，1，267，770livres。ForthemarriageoftheComted’Artoisin1773，2，016，221livres。Forthecoronationin1775，835，862livre，。Forplays，concertsandballsin1778，481，744livres，andin1779，382，986livres。
[24]。Warroquier，vol。I。ibid。，—\"MarieAntoinette，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy。LetterofMercy，Sept。16，1773。\"Themultitudeofpeopleofvariousoccupationsfollowingthekingonhistravelsresemblestheprogressofanarmy。\"
[25]。Thecivilhouseholdsoftheking，queen，andMme。Elisabeth，ofMesdames，andMme。Royale，25，700，000。—Totheking’sbrothersandsisters—in—law，8，040，000。—Theking’smilitaryhousehold，7，681，000，（Necker，\"Compte—rendu，\"II。119）。From1774to1788theexpenditureonthehouseholdsofthekingandhisfamilyvariesfrom32to36
millions，notincludingthemilitaryhousehold，（\"LaMaisonduroijustiftiée\"）。In1789thehouseholdsoftheking，queen，Dauphin，royalchildrenandofMesdames，cost25millions。—ThoseofMonsieurandMadame，3，656，000；thoseoftheCountandCountessd’Artois，3，656，000；thoseoftheDukesdeBerriandd’Angoulême，700，000；
salariescontinuedtopersonsformerlyintheprinces’service，228，000。Thetotalis33，240，000。—Tothismustbeaddedtheking’smilitaryhouseholdandtwomillionsintheprinces’appanages。（A
generalaccountoffixedincomesandexpenditureonthefirstofMay，1789，renderedbytheministeroffinancestothecommitteeonfinancesoftheNationalAssembly。）
[26]。Warroquier，ibid，（1789）vol。I。，passim。
[27]。AnexpressionoftheComted’Artoisonintroducingtheofficersofhishouseholdtohiswife。
[28]。Thenumberoflight—horsemenandofgendarmeswasreducedin1775andin1776；bothbodiesweresuppressedin1787。
[29]。ThePresidentofthe5thFrenchRepublicfoundedbyGeneraldeGaulleiseventodaythesourceofnumerousappointmentsofgreatimportance。（SR。）
[30]。Saint—Simon，\"Mémoires，\"XVI。456。Thisneedofbeingalwayssurroundedcontinuesuptothelastmoment；in1791，thequeenexclaimedbitterly，speakingofthenobility，\"whenanyproceedingofoursdispleasesthemtheyaresulky；noonecomestomytable；thekingretiresalone；wehavetosufferforourmisfortunes。\"（Mme。
Campan，II。177。）
[31]。DucdeLévis，\"SouvenirsetPortraits，\"29。—Mme。deMaintenon，\"Correspondance。\"
[32]。M。deV—whowaspromisedaking’slieutenancyorcommand，yieldsittooneofMme。dePompadour’sprotégés，obtaininginlieuofitthepartoftheexemptin\"Tartuffe，\"playedbytheseigniorsbeforethekinginthesmallcabinet。（Mme。deHausset，168）。\"M。
deV，—thankedMadameasifshehadmadehimaduke。\"
[33]。\"Paris，Versaillesetlesprovincesaudix—huitièmesiècle，\"
II。160，168。—Mercier，\"TableaudeParis，\"IV。150。—DeSégur，\"Mémoires，\"I。16。
[34]。\"MarieAntoinette，\"byD’ArnethandGeffroy，II。27，255，281。\"——GustaveIII。\"byGeffroy，November，1786，bulletinofMme。deSta？l。—D’Hézecques，ibid……231。—Archivesnationales，01，736，aletterbyM。Amelot，September23，1780。—DeLuynes，XV。260，367；
XVI。163ladies，ofwhich42areinservice，appearandcourtesytotheking。160menandmorethan100ladiespaytheirrespectstotheDauphinandDauphine。
[35]。Cochin。Engravingsofamaskedball，ofadressball，ofthekingandqueenatplay，oftheinteriorofthetheater（1745）。
CustomesofMoreau（1777）。Mme。deGenlis，\"Dictionairedesetiquettes，\"thearticleparure。
[36]。\"ThedifferencebetweenthetoneandlanguageofthecourtandthetownwasaboutasperceptibleasthatbetweenParisandtheprovinces。\"（DeTilly，\"Mémoires，\"I。153。）
[37]。Thefollowingisanexampleofthecompulsoryinactivityofthenobles—adinnerofQueenMarieLeczinskaatFontainebleau:\"I
wasintroducedintoasuperbhallwhereIfoundaboutadozencourtierspromenadingaboutandatablesetforasmanypersons，whichwasneverthelesspreparedforbutoneperson……Thequeensatownwhilethetwelvecourtierstooktheirpositionsinasemi—circletenstepsfromthetable；Istoodalongsideofthemimitatingtheirdeferentialsilence。HerMajestybegantoeatveryfast，keepinghereyesfixedontheplate。Findingoneofthedishestohertasteshereturnedtoit，andthen，runninghereyearoundthecircle，shesaid\"MonsieurdeLowenthal？\"—Onhearingthisnameafine—lookingmanadvanced，bowing，andreplied，\"Madame？\"—\"Ifindthatthisragoutisfricasséchicken。\"——\"Ibelieveitis’Madame。\"—Onmakingthisanswer，inthegravestmanner，themarshal，retiringbackwards，resumedhisposition，whilethequeenfinishedherdinner，neverutteringanotherwordandgoingbacktoherroomthesamewayasshecame。\"（MemoirsofCasanova。）
[38]。\"UnderLouisXVI，whoaroseatsevenoreighto’clock，thelevertookplaceathalf—pastelevenunlesshuntingorceremoniesrequireditearlier。\"Thereisthesameceremonialateleven，againintheeveningonretiring，andalsoduringtheday，whenhechangeshisboots。（D’Hézecque，161。）
[39]。Warroquier，I。94。ComparecorrespondingdetailunderLouisXVIinSaint—SimonXIII。88。
[40]。\"MarieAntoinette，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy，II。217。
[41]。Inallchangesofthecoattheleftarmofthekingisappropriatedbythewardrobeandtherightarmtothe\"chambre。\"
[42]。Thequeenbreakfastsinbed，and\"therearetenortwelvepersonspresentatthisfirstreceptionorentrée……\"Thegrandreceptionstakingplaceatthedressinghour。\"Thisreceptioncomprisestheprincesoftheblood，thecaptainsoftheguardsandmostofthegrand—officers。\"Thesameceremonyoccurswiththechemiseaswiththeking’sshirt。OnewinterdayMme。Campanoffersthechemisetothequeen，whenaladyofhonorenters，removesherglovesandtakesthechemiseinherhands。AmovementatthedoorandtheDuchessofOrleanscomesin，takesoffhergloves，andreceivesthechemise。AnothermovementanditistheComtessed’Artoiswhoseprivilegeitistohandthechemise。Meanwhilethequeensitsthereshiveringwithherarmscrossedonherbreastandmuttering，\"Itisdreadful，whatimportunity！\"（Mme。Campan，II。217；III。309—316）。
[43]。\"MarieAntoinette，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy，II。223（August15，1774）。
[44]。CountD’Hézecques，ibid。，p。7。
[45]。DucdeLauzun，\"Mémoires，\"51。—Mme。deGenlis，\"Mémoires，\"
ch。XII。:\"Ourhusbands，regularlyonthatday（Saturday）sleptatVersailles，tohuntthenextdaywiththeking。\"
[46]。TheStatedinnertakesplaceeverySunday。—Lanefisapieceofplateatthecenterofthetablecontainingbetweenscentedcushions，thenapkinsusedbytheking。—Theessaiisthetastingofeachdishbythegentlemenservantsandofficersofthetablebeforethekingpartakesofit。Andthesamewiththebeverages。—Itrequiresfourpersonstoservethekingwithaglassofwineandwater。
[47]。Whentheladiesoftheking’scourt，andespeciallytheprincesses，passbeforetheking’sbedtheyhavetomakeanobeisance；
thepalaceofficialssalutethenefonpassingthat。—Apriestorsacristandoesthesamethingonpassingbeforethealtar。
[48]。DeLuynes，IX，75，79，105。（August，1748，October1748）。
[49]。ThekingisatMarly，andhereisalistoftheexcursionsheistomakebeforegoingtoCompiègne。（DeLuynes，XIV，163，May，1755）
\"Sunday，June1st，toChoisyuntilMondayevening。—Tuesday，the3rdtoTrianon，untilWednesday。—Thursday，the5th，returntoTrianonwherehewillremainuntilaftersupperonSaturday。—
Monday，the9th，toCrécy，untilFriday，13th。—ReturntoCrécythe16th，untilthe21st。—St。July1sttolaMuette，the2nd，toCompiègne。\"
[50]。\"MarieAntoinette，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy，I。19（July12，1770）。I。265（January23，1771）。I。III。（October18，1770）。
[51]。MarieAntoinette，\"byd’ArnethandGeffroy，II，270（October18，1774）。II，395（November15，1775）。II，295（February20，1775）。
III，25（February11，1777）。III，119（October17，1777）。III，409
（March18，1780）。
[52]。Mme。Campan，I。147。
[53]。Nicolardot，\"JournaldeLouisXVI，\"129。
[54]。D’Hézecquesibid。253。—ArthurYoung，I。215。
[55]。Listofpensionspaidtomembersoftheroyalfamilyin1771。
Ducd’Orléans，150，000。PrincedeCondé，100，000。ComtedeClermont，70，000。DucdeBourbon，60，000。PrincedeConti，60，000。ComtedelaMarche，60，000。Dowager—CountessdeConti，50，000。DucdePenthièvre，50，000。PrincessdeLamballe，50，000。DuchessdeBourbon，50，000。
（ArchivesNationales。O1。710，bis）。
[56]。Beugnot，I。77。Mme。deGenlis，\"Mémoires，\"ch。XVII。DeGoncourt，\"LaFemmeaudix—huitièmesiècle，\"52。—Champfort，\"CaractèresetAnecdotes。\"
[57]。DeLuynes，XVI。57（May，1757）。InthearmyofWestphaliatheCountd’Estrées，commander—in—chief；hadtwenty—sevensecretaries，andGrimmwasthetwenty—eighth。—WhentheDucdeRichelieusetoutforhisgovernmentofGuyennehewasobligedtohaverelaysofahundredhorsesalongtheentireroad。
[58]。DeLuynes，XVI。186（October，1757）。
[59]。DeGoncourt，ibid。，73，75。
[60]。Mme。d’Epinay，\"Mémoires。\"Ed。Boiteau，I。306（1751）。
[61]。St。Simon，XII。457，andDangeau，VI。408。TheMarshaldeBoufflersatthecampofCompiègne（September，1698）hadeverynightandmorningtwotablesfortwentyandtwenty—fivepersons，besidesextratables；72cooks，340domestics，400dozensofnapkins，80
dozensofsilverplates，6dozensofporcelainplates。FourteenrelaysofhorsesbroughtfruitsandliquorsdailyfromParis；everydayanexpressbroughtfish，poultryandgamefromGhent，Brussels，Dunkirk，DieppeandCalais。Fiftydozensbottlesofwineweredrunkonordinarydaysandeightydozensduringthevisitsofthekingandtheprinces。
[62]。DeLuynes，XIV。149。
[63]。AbbéGeorgel，\"Mémoires，\"216。
[64]。Sainte—Beuve，\"Causeriesdulundi，\"VIII。63，thetextsoftwowitnesses，MM。deGenlisandRoland。
[65]。DeLuynes，XV。455，andXVI。219（1757）。\"TheMarshaldeBelle—Islecontractedanindebtednessamountingto1，200，000livres，one—quarterofitforbuildinggreatpilesofhousesforhisownpleasureandtherestintheking’sservice。Theking，toindemnifyhim，giveshim400，000livresonthesaltrevenue，and80，000livresincomeonthecompanyprivilegedtorefinethepreciousmetals。\"
[66]。Reportoffixedincomesandexpenditures，May1st，1789，p。
633。—Thesefigures，itmustbenoted，mustbedoubledtohavetheiractualequivalent。
[67]。Mme。deGenlis，\"Dict。desEtiquettes，\"I。349。
[68]。Barbier，\"Journal，\"III，211（December，1750）。
[69]。Aubertin，\"L’Espritpublicaudix—huitièmesiècle，\"255。
[70]。Mme。deGenlis，\"AdèleetThéodore。\"III。54。
[71]。DucdeLévis，68。Thesamethingisfound，previoustothelatereform，intheEnglisharmy。—Cf。Voltaire，\"EntretiensentreA，B，C，\"15thentretien。\"Aregimentisnottherewardforservicesbutratherforthesumwhichtheparentsofayoungmanadvanceinorderthathemaygototheprovincesforthreemonthsintheyearandkeepopenhouse。\"
[72]。Beugnot，I。79。
[73]。MerlindeThionville，\"Vieetcorrespondances。\"AccountofhisvisittothechartreuseofValSt。PierreinThierarche。
[74]。Mme。deGenlis，\"Mémoires，\"ch。7。
[75]。Mme。d’Oberkirk，I。15。
[76]。Mme。deGenlis，26，ch。I。Mme。d’Oberkirk，I。62。
[77]。DeLauzun，\"Mémoires，\"257。
[78]。MarquisdeValfons，\"Mémoires，\"60。—DeLévis，156。—Mme。
d’Oberkirk，I，127，II，360。
[79]。Beugnot，I，71。—Hippeau，\"LeGouvernementdeNormandie，\"
passim。
[80]。Anoccupationexplainedfartheron，page145。—TR。
[81]。Mme。deGenlis，\"Mémoires，\"passim。\"Dict。desEtiquettes，\"
I。348。
[82]。Mme。d’Oberkirk，I。395。—TheBaronandBaronessdeSotenvilleinMolièrearepeoplewellbroughtupalthoughprovincialandpedantic。
CHAPTERII。DRAWINGROOMLIFE。[1]
I。
PerfectonlyinFrance。—ReasonsforthisderivedfromtheFrenchcharacter。—Reasonsderivedfromthetoneofthecourt。—Thislifebecomesmoreandmoreagreeableandabsorbing。
SimilarcircumstanceshaveledotheraristocraciesinEuropetonearlysimilarwaysandhabits。Therealsothemonarchyhasgivenbirthtothecourtandthecourttoarefinedsociety。Butthedevelopmentofthisrareplanthasbeenonlypartial。Thesoilwasunfavorableandtheseedwasnotoftherightsort。InSpain，thekingstandsshroudedinetiquettelikeamummyinitswrappings，whileatoorigidpride，incapableofyieldingtotheamenitiesoftheworldlyorderofthings，endsinasentimentofmorbidityandininsanedisplay。[2]InItaly，underpettydespoticsovereigns，andmostofthemstrangers，theconstantstateofdangerandofhereditarydistrust，afterhavingtiedalltongues，turnsallheartstowardsthesecretdelightsofloveandtowardsthemutegratificationofthefinearts。InGermanyandinEngland，acoldtemperament，dullandrebellioustoculture，keepsman，uptothecloseofthelastcentury，withintheGermanichabitsofsolitude，inebrietyandbrutality。InFrance，onthecontrary，allthingscombinetomakethesocialsentimentflourish；inthisthenationalgeniusharmonizeswiththepoliticalregime，theplantappearingtobeselectedforthesoilbeforehand。
TheFrenchmanlovescompanythroughinstinct，andthereasonisthathedoeswellandeasilywhateversocietycallsuponhimtodo。Hehasnotthefalseshamewhichrendershisnorthernneighborsawkward，northepowerfulpassionswhichabsorbhisneighborsofthesouth。
Talkingisnoefforttohim，havingnoneofthenaturaltimiditywhichbegetsconstraint，andwithnoconstantpreoccupationtoovercome。Heaccordinglyconversesathisease，everonthealert，andconversationaffordshimextremepleasure。Forthehappinesswhichherequiresisofapeculiarkind:delicate，light，rapid，incessantlyrenewedandvaried，inwhichhisintellect，hisvanity，allhisemotionalandsympatheticfacultiesfindnourishment；andthisqualityofhappinessisprovidedforhimonlyinsocietyandinconversation。Sensitiveasheis，personalattention，consideration，cordiality，delicateflattery，constitutehisnatalatmosphere，outsidewhichhebreatheswithdifficulty。Hewouldsufferalmostasmuchinbeingimpoliteasinencounteringimpolitenessinothers。Forhisinstinctsofkindlinessandvanitythereisanexquisitecharminthehabitofbeingamiable，andthisisallthegreaterbecauseitprovescontagious。Whenweaffordpleasuretoothersthereisadesiretopleaseus，andwhatwebestowindeferenceisreturnedinattentions。
Incompanyofthiskindonecantalk，fortotalkistoamuseanotherinbeingoneselfamused，aFrenchmanfindingnopleasureequaltoit。[3]Livelyandsinuous，conversationtohimisliketheflyingofabird；hewingshiswayfromideatoidea，alert，excitedbytheinspirationofothers，dartingforward，wheelingroundandunexpectedlyreturning，nowup，nowdown，nowskimmingtheground，nowaloftonthepeaks，withoutsinkingintoquagmires，orgettingentangledinthebriers，andclaimingnothingofthethousandsofobjectsheslightlygrazesbutthediversityandthegaietyoftheiraspects。
Thusendowed，andthusdisposed，heismadeforarégimewhich，fortenhoursaday，bringsmentogether；naturalfeelinginaccordwiththesocialorderofthingsrendersthedrawingroomperfect。Theking，attheheadofall，setstheexample。LouisXIVhadeveryqualificationforthemasterofahousehold:atasteforpompandhospitality，condescensionaccompaniedwithdignity，theartofplayingontheself—esteemofothersandofmaintaininghisownposition，chivalrousgallantry，tact，andevencharmsofintellectualexpression。\"Hisaddresswasperfect；[4]whetheritwasnecessarytojest，orhewasinaplayfulhumor，ordeignedtotellastory，itwaseverwithinfinitegrace，andanoblerefinedairwhichIhavefoundonlyinhim。\"\"Neverwasmansonaturallypolite，[5]norofsuchcircumspectpoliteness，sopowerfulbydegrees，norwhobetterdiscriminatedage，worth，andrank，bothinhisrepliesandinhisdeportment……Hissalutations，moreorlessmarked，butalwaysslight，wereofincomparablegraceandmajesty……Hewasadmirableinthedifferentacknowledgmentsofsalutesattheheadofthearmyandatreviews……Butespeciallytowardwomen，therewasnothinglikeit……Neverdidhepassthemostinsignificantwomanwithouttakingoffhishattoher；andImeanchambermaidswhomheknewtobesuch……Neverdidhechancetosayanythingdisobligingtoanybody……Neverbeforecompanyanythingmistimedorventuresome，buteventothesmallestgesture，hiswalk，hisbearing，hisfeatures，allwereproper，respectful，noble，grand，majestic，andthoroughlynatural。\"
Suchisthemodel，and，nearlyorremotely，itisimitateduptotheendoftheancientrégime。Ifitundergoesanychange，itisonlytobecomemoresociable。Intheeighteenthcentury，exceptongreatceremonialoccasions，itisseendescendingstepbystepfromitspedestal。Itnolongerimposes\"thatstillnessarounditwhichletsonehearaflywalk。\"\"Sire，\"saidtheMarshaldeRichelieu，whohadseenthreereigns，addressingLouisXVI，\"underLouisXIVnoonedaredutteraword；underLouisXVpeoplewhispered；underyourMajestytheytalkaloud。\"Ifauthorityisaloser，societyisthegainer；
etiquette，insensiblyrelaxed，allowstheintroductionofeaseandcheerfulness。Henceforththegreat，lessconcernedinoverawingthaninpleasing，castoffstatelinesslikeanuncomfortableandridiculousgarment，\"seekingrespectlessthanapplause。Itnolongersufficestobeaffable；onehastoappearamiableatanycostwithone’sinferiorsaswithone’sequals。\"[6]TheFrenchprinces，saysagainacontemporarylady，\"aredyingwithfearofbeingdeficientinfavors。\"[7]Evenaroundthethrone\"thestyleisfreeandplayful。\"
ThegraveanddisciplinedcourtofLouisXIVbecameattheendofthecentury，underthesmilesoftheyouthfulqueen，themostseductiveandgayestofdrawing—rooms。Throughthisuniversalrelaxation，aworldlyexistencegetstobeperfect。\"Hewhohasnotlivedbefore1789，\"saysTalleyrandatalaterperiod，\"knowsnothingofthecharmofliving。\"Itwastoogreat；nootherwayoflivingwasappreciated；
itengrossedmanwholly。Whensocietybecomessoattractive，peopleliveforitalone。
II。SOCIALLIFEHASPRIORITY。
Subordinationofittootherinterestsandduties。—Indifferencetopublicaffairs。—Theyaremerelyasubjectofjest。—Neglectofprivateaffairs。—Disorderinthehouseholdandabuseofmoney。
Thereisneitherleisurenortasteforothermatters，evenforthingswhichareofmostconcerntoman，suchaspublicaffairs，thehousehold，andthefamily。—Withrespecttothefirst，Ihavealreadystatedthatpeopleabstainfromthem，andareindifferent；theadministrationofthings，whetherlocalorgeneral，isoutoftheirhandsandnolongerintereststhem。Theyonlyalludetoitinjest；
eventsofthemostseriousconsequenceformthesubjectofwitticisms。
AftertheedictoftheAbbéTerray，whichhalfruinedthestatecreditors，aspectator，toomuchcrowdedinthetheater，criedout，\"Ah，howunfortunatethatourgoodAbbéTerrayisnotheretocutusdownone—halfI\"Everybodylaughsandapplauds。AllParisthefollowingday，isconsoledforpublicruinbyrepeatingthephrase。—
Alliances，battles，taxation，treaties，ministries，coupsd’état，theentirehistoryofthecountry，isputintoepigramsandsongs。Oneday，[8]inanassemblyofyoungpeoplebelongingtothecourt，oneofthem，asthecurrentwitticismwaspassingaround，raisedhishandsindelightandexclaimed，\"Howcanonehelpbeingpleasedwithgreatevents，evenwithdisturbances，whentheyprovideuswithsuchamusingwitticisms！\"Thereuponthesarcasmscirculate，andeverydisasterinFranceisturnedintononsense。AsongonthebattleofHochstaedtwaspronouncedpoor，andsomeoneinthisconnectionsaid\"Iamsorrythatbattlewaslost—thesongissoworthless。\"[9]—Evenwheneliminatingfromthistraitallthatbelongstotheswayofimpulseandthelicenseofparadox，thereremainsthestampofanageinwhichtheStateisalmostnothingandsocietyalmosteverything。Wemayonthisprincipledivinewhatorderoftalentwasrequiredintheministers。M。Necker，havinggivenamagnificentsupperwithseriousandcomicopera，\"findsthatthisfestivityisworthmoretohimincredit，favor，andstabilitythanallhisfinancialschemesputtogether……Hislastarrangementconcerningthevingtièmewasonlytalkedaboutforoneday，whileeverybodyisstilltalkingabouthisfête；atParis，aswellasinVersailles，itsattractionsaredweltonindetail，peopleemphaticallydeclaringthatMonsieurandMme。Neckerareagracetosociety。\"[10]Goodsocietydevotedtopleasureimposesonthoseinofficetheobligationofprovidingpleasuresforit。Itmightalsosay，inahalf—serious，half—ironicaltone，withVoltaire，\"thatthegodscreatedkingsonlytogivefêteseveryday，providedtheyvaried；thatlifeistooshorttomakeanyotheruseofit；thatlawsuits，intrigues，warfare，andthequarrelsofpriests，whichconsumehumanlife，areabsurdandhorriblethings；thatmanisbornonlytoenjoyhimself；\"andthatamongtheessentialthingswemustputthe\"superfluous\"inthefirstrank。