At the time that plays were acted in the little apartments, I obtained a lieutenancy for one of my relations, by a singular means, which proves the value the greatest people set upon the slightest access to the Court.  Madame did not like to ask anything of M. d’Argenson, and, being pressed by my family, who could not imagine that, situated as I was, it could be difficult for me to obtain a command for a good soldier, I determined to go and ask the Comte d’Argenson.  I made my request, and presented my memorial.  He received me coldly, and gave me vague answers.  I went out, and the Marquis de V-----, who was in his closet, followed me.  “You wish to obtain a command,” said he; “there is one vacant, which is promised me for one of my proteges; but if you will do me a favour in return, or obtain one for me, I will give it to you.  I want to be a police officer, and you have it in your power to get me a place.”  I told him I did not understand the purport of his jest.  “I will tell you,” said he; “Tartuffe is going to be acted in the cabinets, and there is the part of a police officer, which only consists of a few lines.  Prevail upon Madame de Pompadour to assign me that part, and the command is yours.”  I promised nothing, but I related the history to Madame, who said she would arrange it for me.  The thing was done, and I obtained the command, and the Marquis de V----- thanked Madame as if she had made him a Duke.

The King was often annoyed by the Parliaments, and said a very remarkable thing concerning them, which M. de Gontaut repeated to Doctor Quesnay in my presence.  “Yesterday,” said he, “the King walked up and down the room with an anxious air.  Madame de Pompadour asked him if he was uneasy about his health, as he had been, for some time, rather unwell.  ‘No,’ replied he; ’but I am greatly annoyed by all these remonstrances.’—­’What can come of them,’ said she, ’that need seriously disquiet Your Majesty?  Are you not master of the Parliaments, as well as of all the rest of the kingdom?’—­’That is true,’ said the King; ’but, if it had not been for these counsellors and presidents, I should never have been stabbed by that gentleman’ (he always called Damiens so).  ‘Ah!  Sire,’ cried Madame de Pompadour.  ‘Read the trial,’ said he.  ’It was the language of those gentlemen he names which turned his head.’—­’But,’ said Madame, ’I have often thought that, if the Archbishop—­[M. de Beaumont]—­could be sent to Rome—­’—­’Find anybody who will accomplish that business, and I will give him whatever he pleases.’” Quesnay said the King was right in all he had uttered.  The Archbishop was exiled shortly after, and the King was seriously afflicted at being driven to take such a step.  “What a pity,” he often said, “that so excellent a man should be so obstinate.”—­“And so shallow,” said somebody, one day.  “Hold your tongue,” replied the King, somewhat sternly.  The Archbishop was very charitable, and liberal to excess, but he often granted pensions without discernment.