Memoirs of Louis XIV, vol 11 | Page 5

with people privileged to have that honour. When any one
wished to claim it, the first gentleman of the chamber on duty was
appealed to. He gave the answer, and if favourable you presented

yourself the next day to the King, who said to you, "Monsieur, seat
yourself at table." That being done, all was done. Ever afterwards you
were at liberty to take a place at the King's table, but with discretion.
The number of the persons from whom a choice was made was,
however, very limited. Even very high military rank did not suffice. M.
de Vauban, at the siege of Namur, was overwhelmed by the distinction.
The King did the same honour at Namur to the Abbe de Grancey, who
exposed himself everywhere to confess the wounded and encourage the
troops. No other Abbe was ever so distinguished. All the clergy were
excluded save the cardinals, and the bishops, piers, or the ecclesiastics
who held the rank of foreign princes.
At these repasts everybody was covered; it would have been a want of
respect, of which you would have been immediately informed, if you
had not kept your hat on your head. The King alone was uncovered.
When the King wished to speak to you, or you had occasion to speak to
him, you uncovered. You uncovered, also, when Monseigneur or
Monsieur spoke to you, or you to them. For Princes of the blood you
merely put your hand to your hat. The King alone had an armchair. All
the rest of the company, Monseigneur included, had seats, with backs
of black morocco leather, which could be folded up to be carried, and
which were called "parrots." Except at the army, the King never ate
with any man, under whatever circumstances; not even with the Princes
of the Blood, save sometimes 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
slept in the royal chamber, and who had dressed himself, awoke the
King. The chief physician, the chief surgeon, and the nurse (as long as
she lived), entered at the same time; the latter kissed the King; the
others rubbed and often changed his shirt, because he was in the habit
of sweating a great deal. At the quarter, the grand chamberlain was
called (or, in his absence, the first gentleman of the chamber), and those
who had what was called the 'grandes entrees'. The chamberlain (or
chief gentleman) drew back the curtains which had been closed again;
and presented the holy- water from the vase, at the head of the bed.

These gentlemen stayed but a moment, and that was the time to speak
to the King, if any one had anything to ask of him; in which case the
rest stood aside. When, contrary to custom, nobody had ought to say,
they were there but for a few moments. He who had opened the
curtains and presented the holy- water, presented also a prayer-book.
Then all passed into the cabinet of the council. A very short religious
service being over, the King called, they re-entered, The same officer
gave him his dressing-gown; immediately after, other privileged
courtiers entered, and then everybody, in time to find the King putting
on his shoes and stockings, for he did almost everything himself and
with address and grace. Every other day we saw him shave himself; and
he had a little short wig in which he always appeared, even in bed, and
on medicine days. He often spoke of the chase, and sometimes said
a-word to somebody. No toilette table was near him; he had simply a
mirror held before him.
As soon as he was dressed, he prayed to God, at the side of his bed,
where all the clergy present knelt, the cardinals without cushions, all
the laity remaining standing; and the captain of the guards came to the
balustrade during the prayer, after which the King passed into his
cabinet.
He found there, or was followed by all who had the entree, a very
numerous company, for it included everybody in any office. He gave
orders to each for the day; thus within a half a quarter of an hour it was
known what he meant to do; and then all this crowd left directly. The
bastards, a few favourites; and the valets alone were left. It was then a
good opportunity for talking with the King; for example, about plans of
gardens and buildings; and conversation lasted more or less according
to the person engaged in it.
All the Court meantime waited for the King in the gallery, the captain
of the guard being alone in the chamber seated at the door of the
cabinet. At morning the Court awaited in the