They desired to effect a counter-revolution, not only in politics, but also in fashions; and this important matter occupied the attention of the grand dignitaries of the court for weeks before the first grand levee that the king was to hold in the Tuilerics.  But, as nothing was accomplished by their united wisdom, the king finally held a private consultation with his most intimate gentleman and lady friends on this important matter, that had, unfortunately, not been determined by the charter.

The grand-master of ceremonies, M. de Brege, declared to the king that it was altogether improper to continue the fashions of the empire at the court of the legitimate King of France.

“We are, therefore, to have powder, coats-of-mail, etc.,” observed the king.

M. de Brege replied, with all gravity, that he had given this subject his earnest consideration day and night, but that he had not yet arrived at a conclusion worthy of the grand-master of ceremonies of the legitimate king.

“Sire,” said the Duke de Chartres, smiling, “I, for my part, demand knee-breeches, shoe-buckles, and the cue.”

“But I,” exclaimed the Prince de Poir, who had remained in France during the empire, “I demand damages, if we are to be compelled to return to the old fashions and clothing before the new ones are worn out!”

The grand-master of ceremonies replied to this jest at his expense with a profound sigh only; and the king at last put an end to this great question, by deciding that every one should be permitted to follow the old or new fashions, according to his individual taste and inclination.

The grand-master of ceremonies was compelled to submit to this royal decision; but in doing so he observed, with profound sadness:  “Your majesty is pleased to smile, but dress makes half the man; uniformity of attire confounds the distinctions of rank, and leads directly to an agrarian law.”

“Yes, marquis,” exclaimed the king, “you think precisely as Figaro.  Many a man laughs at a judge in a short dress, who trembles before a procurator in a long gown[39].”

[Footnote 39:  Memoires d’une Femme de Qualite, vol. i., p. 384.]

But while the king suppressed the counter-revolution in fashions, he allowed the grand-master of ceremonies to reintroduce the entire etiquette of the old era.  In conformity with this etiquette, the king could not rise from his couch in the morning until the doors had been opened to all those who had the grande entree—­that is to say, to the officers of his household, the marshals of France, several favored ladies; further, to his cafetier, his tailor, the bearer of his slippers, his barber, with two assistants, his watchmaker, and his apothecaries.

The king was dressed in the presence of all these favored individuals, etiquette permitting him only to adjust his necktie himself, but requiring him, however, to empty his pockets of their contents of the previous day.