I will not speak much of the King’s manner of living when with the army.  His hours were determined by what was to be done, though he held his councils regularly; I will simply say, that morning and evening he ate with people privileged to have that honour.  When any one wished to claim it, the first gentleman of the chamber on duty was appealed to.  He gave the answer, and if favourable you presented yourself the next day to the King, who said to you, “Monsieur, seat yourself at table.”  That being done, all was done.  Ever afterwards you were at liberty to take a place at the King’s table, but with discretion.  The number of the persons from whom a choice was made was, however, very limited.  Even very high military rank did not suffice.  M. de Vauban, at the siege of Namur, was overwhelmed by the distinction.  The King did the same honour at Namur to the Abbe de Grancey, who exposed himself everywhere to confess the wounded and encourage the troops.  No other Abbe was ever so distinguished.  All the clergy were excluded save the cardinals, and the bishops, piers, or the ecclesiastics who held the rank of foreign princes.

At these repasts everybody was covered; it would have been a want of respect, of which you would have been immediately informed, if you had not kept your hat on your head.  The King alone was uncovered.  When the King wished to speak to you, or you had occasion to speak to him, you uncovered.  You uncovered, also, when Monseigneur or Monsieur spoke to you, or you to them.  For Princes of the blood you merely put your hand to your hat.  The King alone had an armchair.  All the rest of the company, Monseigneur included, had seats, with backs of black morocco leather, which could be folded up to be carried, and which were called “parrots.”  Except at the army, the King never ate with any man, under whatever circumstances; not even with the Princes of the Blood, save sometimes at their wedding feasts.

Let us return now to the Court.

At eight o’clock the chief valet de chambre on duty, who alone had slept in the royal chamber, and who had dressed himself, awoke the King.  The chief physician, the chief surgeon, and the nurse (as long as she lived), entered at the same time; the latter kissed the King; the others rubbed and often changed his shirt, because he was in the habit of sweating a great deal.  At the quarter, the grand chamberlain was called (or, in his absence, the first gentleman of the chamber), and those who had what was called the ‘grandes entrees’.  The chamberlain (or chief gentleman) drew back the curtains which had been closed again; and presented the holy-water from the vase, at the head of the bed.  These gentlemen stayed but a moment, and that was the time to speak to the King, if any one had anything to ask of him; in which case the rest stood aside.  When, contrary to custom, nobody had ought to say, they were there but for a few moments.  He who had opened the curtains and presented the holy-water,