“The cavaliers first rode round the courtyard of the chateau, passing under the windows of the young Duc de Bourgogne (grandson of the King) who was on the balcony.  Then they rode out of the gate and down the Avenue de Paris, and entered the riding-school of the Great Stables by a gate made near the Kennels.  After riding in procession before the raised seats of the court, they took their posts, twenty cavaliers in each corner, with their pages and grooms behind them; the drums and trumpets at the barrier.  The subject of the tournament was the Wars of Granada, and the cavaliers represented the Spaniards and the Moors.  Monseigneur rode a tilt with the Due de Bourbon, and Messieurs de Vendome and de Brionne rode at the same time to make the figure. . . .  There were three courses run for the prize, which was won by the Prince de Lorraine.  It was a sword ornamented with diamonds, and he received it from the hand of the King.  After the tournament all the cavaliers conducted the King to the courtyard of the chateau, lance in hand, and the heads of the companies saluted him with their swords.

“On the fifth, a second tournament was held, and, in spite of the bad weather, the King found it more beautiful than the first.  Many ladies were present.  The Russian envoys, who had not seen the previous fete, occupied seats at the King’s right.  During a shower, the spectators retired quickly, but as soon as it had passed, all the seats were filled again.  The Marquis de Plumartin won the prize.  It was a sword adorned with diamonds, but more costly than that won by the Prince de Lorraine.”

The Fete of Kings celebrated each year was a brilliant affair at Versailles.  Then the Hall of Mirrors and Salons of War and Peace were illumined by hundreds upon hundreds of twinkling tapers, while over the floor glided a throng of slippered feet to the beat of strings and hautboys.  At the suppers, which preceded and followed the dancing, seventy-two Swiss guards served the guests, each one distinguished by a ribbon corresponding with the color of the table to whose service he was assigned.  It was the King’s custom to retire from the revel with regal formalities at one hour after midnight.  But the feasting and dancing continued many times until rosy dawn stole in the windows and paled the candle-light.  Besides balls, concerts, plays, games of chance, masquerades, all the Court was invited every week—­between October and Easter—­to take part in the appartements or receptions given by the King.  These soirees began at seven o’clock and lasted till ten.  The chief diversion was card-playing.  The King, the Queen and all the princes so far unbent as to play with their guests at the same tables, and move about without ceremony, conversing, listening to the music of Lully’s band, watching a minuet or a gavotte, eating and drinking, or bestowing special favors upon courtiers that engaged their momentary fancy.