without land, who usurp them; and that they have become so worthless, that people of quality who are Marquises or Counts (if they will permit me to say it) are silly enough to be annoyed if those titles are given to them in conversation.  It is certain, however, that these titles emanated from landed creations, and that in their origin they had functions attached to them, which, they have since outlived.  The vidames, on the contrary, were only principal officers of certain bishops, with authority to lead all the rest of their seigneurs’ vassals to the field, either to fight against other lords, or in the armies that our kings used to assemble to combat their enemies before the creation of a standing army put an end to the employment of vassals (there being no further need for them), and to all the power and authority of the seigneurs.  There is thus no comparison between the title of vidame, which only marks a vassal, and the titles which by fief emanate from the King.  Yet because the few Vidames who have been known were illustrious, the name has appeared grand, and for this reason was given to me, and afterwards by me to my son: 

Some little time before this, the King resolved to show all Europe, which believed his resources exhausted by a long war, that in the midst of profound peace, he was as fully prepared as ever for arms.  He wished at the same time, to present a superb spectacle to Madame de Maintenon, under pretext of teaching the young Duc de Bourgogne his first lesson in war.  He gave all the necessary orders, therefore, for forming a camp at Compiegne, to be commanded by the Marechal de Boufflers under the young Duke.  On Thursday, the 28th of August, all the Court set out for the camp.  Sixty thousand men were assembled there.  The King, as at the marriage of the Duc de Bourgogne, had announced that he counted upon seeing the troops look their best.  The consequence of this was to excite the army to an emulation that was repented of afterwards.  Not only were the troops in such beautiful order that it was impossible to give the palm to any one corps, but their commanders added the finery and magnificence of the Court to the majestic and warlike beauty of the men, of the arms, and of the horses; and the officers exhausted their means in uniforms which would have graced a fete.

Colonels, and even simple captains, kept open table; but the Marechal de Boufflers outstripped everybody by his expenditure, by his magnificence, and his good taste.  Never was seen a spectacle so transcendent—­so dazzling—­and (it must be said) so terrifying.  At all hours, day or night, the Marechal’s table was open to every comer—­whether officer, courtier, or spectator.  All were welcomed and invited, with the utmost civility and attention, to partake of the good things provided.  There was every kind of hot and cold liquors; everything which can be the most widely and the most splendidly comprehended under the term refreshment:  French and foreign