During all his life, the King failed only once in his attendance at mass, It was with the army, during a forced march; he missed no fast day, unless really indisposed.  Some days before Lent, he publicly declared that he should be very much displeased if any one ate meat or gave it to others, under any pretext.  He ordered the grand prevot to look to this, and report all cases of disobedience.  But no one dared to disobey his commands, for they would soon have found out the cost.  They extended even to Paris, where the lieutenant of police kept watch and reported.  For twelve or fifteen years he had himself not observed Lent, however.  At church he was very respectful.  During his mass everybody was obliged to kneel at the Sanctus, and to remain so until after the communion of the priest; and if he heard the least noise, or saw anybody talking during the mass, he was much displeased.  He took the communion five times a year, in the collar of the Order, band, and cloak.  On Holy Thursday, he served the poor at dinner; at the mass he said his chaplet (he knew no more), always kneeling, except at the Gospel.

He was always clad in dresses more or less brown, lightly embroidered, but never at the edges, sometimes with nothing but a gold button, sometimes black velvet.  He wore always a vest of cloth, or of red, blue, or green satin, much embroidered.  He used no ring; and no jewels, except in the buckles of his shoes, garters, and hat, the latter always trimmed with Spanish point, with a white feather.  He had always the cordon bleu outside, except at fetes, when he wore it inside, with eight or ten millions of precious stones attached.

Rarely a fortnight passed that the King did not go to Saint-Germain, even after the death of King James the Second.  The Court of Saint-Germain came also to Versailles, but oftener to Marly, and frequently to sup there; and no fete or ceremony took place to which they were not invited, and at which they were not received with all honours.  Nothing could compare with the politeness of the King for this Court, or with the air of gallantry and of majesty with which he received it at any time.  Birth days, or the fete days of the King and his family, so observed in the courts of Europe, were always unknown in that of the King; so that there never was the slightest mention of them, or any difference made on their account.

The King was but little regretted.  His valets and a few other people felt his loss, scarcely anybody else.  His successor was not yet old enough to feel anything.  Madame entertained for him only fear and considerate respect.  Madame la Duchesse de Berry did not like him, and counted now upon reigning undisturbed.  M. le Duc d’Orleans could scarcely be expected to feel much grief for him.  And those who may have been expected did not consider it necessary to do their duty.  Madame de Maintenon was wearied with him ever since the death of the Dauphine;