THE TOILET OF LOUIS XIII.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 123, 3 September 1875, Page 15

THE TOILET OF LOUIS XIII.

Thb 'description of one morning in the King's life at Versailles is appalling enough to our nineteenth century -ideas. At eight o'clock in the morning, whilo an officer defourwre put more wood on the fire in the King'B bedroom, the King still sleeping, valets were noiselessly opening the window-shutters, taking away the "en cas," or night collation (which consisted of bread, wine, water, with an enamel cup and some plates and napkins, sometimes also a bowl of soup or a cold roast chicken), the night light, and' a wax candle, which burned all night in a silver candlestick placed in a silver basin on the floor. Bontemps, the first valet, who had been dressing in the ante-chamber meantime, soon came in again, and remained silently waiting till the clock struck the half -hour, which was the hour fixed the' night before ,lov the King's reveille. Soon it struck, and Bontemps, approaching the King's bed, said, " Sire, it is time." Then he went into the aute■jjhaxnber to announce that his Majesty was awake. . . After the had left his bed, the Due de Beauvilliers put on him his robe de chambre of rich_ stuff, and St. Quenfcin presented the wig the Kiug had chosen, and which he put on himself. Bontemps put on his stockings, and gave him his embroidered velvot slippers. When the King put them on, he again crossed himself with holy water, camo out of the railing round his bed, and placing himself near the chimney in a large arm-chair asked for the first entree. The Due de Beauvilliera repeated aloud, " La Premiere entree," and a lacquey of the chamber who was near the door made those whose right, from their offices, or by favor, it was to come into the petite levee. Thia was a shaving day, and while Charles de Guisquo prepared the water and held oho basin, Quentin shaved him and sponged his face-with a soft Sponge, the King himself being allowed to dry his own face while Bontemps held the looking glass ! After this came the " grandss levees," to be admitted to which was a distinction for which even princes often sighad in vain. .... The King's toilet went on. His chavssons and gtrters were brought, and Gabriel Bachelier gave them to His Majesty, who himself put them on. Gregoire de Bounguerolles then presented to him his " haut de chasses," to which were attached Bilk stocking^ ; and the Sieur Pierre d'Orvalle put on the King'B shoes, with theiv diamond buckles ; two pages, dressed in red velvet, embroidered with gold and silver braid, took away the slippers, while the King fastened his garters with diamond buckles. He had a right to fasten them, but when he undressed at night it was necessary that the head valet de chambre should unfasten the garter of the left leg, while one of the valets of the wardrobe might undo that on the right ! . . . After having breakfasted, Louis took off his dressing-gown, and the Marquis de la Salle, master of the wardrobe, pulled his camisole off by the left sleeve, while Bontempa brought the right sleeve. Bachelier brought the King's shirt, which had been just warmed, and gave it to the Due de Beauvillier. The Dauphin, having got rid of his hat and gloves, approached the King and gave him his ahirt. And so they got His Majesty dressed. Bachelier and St. Michel, valets of the wardrobe, brought the sword, waistcoat, and the blue ribbon j the Due de la Rochefoucauld fastened on the sword, put on the' vest, and put across it like a scarf, the ribbon, to which was attached the ci-obb of St. Esprit in diamonds, and the cross of St. Louis, tied together by a red ribbon. The King of France was dressed !