Let me here say that, the ceremony over, peace was signed at Utrecht on the 20th April, 1713, at a late hour of the night.  It was published in Paris with great solemnity on the 22nd.  Monsieur and Madame du Maine, who wished to render themselves popular, came from Sceaux to see the ceremony in the Place Royale, showed themselves on a balcony to the people, to whom they threw some money—­a liberality that the King would not have permitted in anybody else.  At night fires were lighted before the houses, several of which were illuminated:  On the 25th a Te Deum was sung at Notre Dame, and in the evening there was a grand display of fireworks at the Grave, which was followed by a superb banquet given at the Hotel de Ville by the Duc de Tresmes, the Governor of Paris, to a large number of distinguished persons of both sexes of the Court and the city, twenty-four violins playing during the repast.

I have omitted to mention the death of M. de Chevreise, which took place between seven and eight o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 5th of November; of the previous year (1712).  I have so often alluded to M. de Chevreuse in the course of these pages, that I will content myself with relating here two anecdotes of him, which serve to paint a part of his character.

He was very forgetful, and adventures often happened to him in consequence, which diverted us amazingly.  Sometimes his horses were put to and kept waiting for him twelve or fifteen hours at a time.  Upon one occasion in summer this happened at Vaucresson, whence he was going to dine at Dampierre.  The coachman, first, then the postilion, grew tired of looking after the horses, and left them.  Towards six o’clock at night the horses themselves were in their turn worn out, bolted, and a din was heard which shook the house.  Everybody ran out, the coach was found smashed, the large door shivered in pieces; the garden railings, which enclosed both sides of the court, broken down; the gates in pieces; in short, damage was done that took a long time to repair.  M. de Chevreuse, who had not been disturbed by this uproar even for an instant, was quite astonished when he heard of it.  M. de Beauvilliers amused himself for a long time by reproaching him with it, and by asking the expense.

Another adventure happened to him also at Vaucresson, and covered him with real confusion, comical to see, every time it was mentioned.  About ten o’clock one morning a M. Sconin, who had formerly been his steward, was announced.  “Let him take a turn in the garden,” said M. de Chevreuse, “and come back in half an hour.”  He continued what he was doing, and completely forgot his man.  Towards seven o’clock in the evening Sconin was again announced.  “In a moment,” replied M. de Chevreuse, without disturbing himself.  A quarter of an hour afterwards he called Sconin, and admitted him.  “Ah, my poor Sconin!” said he, “I must offer you a thousand excuses for having caused you to lose your day.”