New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-01
Louis XVI. Going to Bed.

| At eleven o'clock came the officer on duty
| and the courtiers. Everything was ready:
| a splendid toilet table with lace and gold
| brocade, the dressing gown Of white en-
| broidered Lyons silk on chair of red mo-
| rocco, the chemise wrapped IN piece OF
| tatety; on the railing double cushion OF
the cloth of gold, called sultan, with the
n:ghtcaps and the handkerchief on it. By
it were .ae slippers of the same material as
| the gown, placed near pages of the Cham
DER. standing against the railing
The monarch arrived the first gentleman
of the chamber removed nis hat and sword,
and handed them 70 an under-official. The
King commenced conversation with tle
courters, that was longer or shorter ac.
coc,i,n, as he found it pleasant. and was
often much too long for our sleepna5s and
weary legs. After tha conversation was
finished. the King went within the railing,
knelt with the chaplain in waiting alone.
who held long taper stand OF silver gilt,
with two tapers, while the Princess could
only have one. The chaplain recited the
prayer "QuHsmus Omnipotens Deus and
when the prayer was finished the taper
stand was handed to ths first servant OF
the chamber. and he. at tho King g orders,
gave It to any gentleman to be dlstln'
guished. This honor was 50 much appEe.
ciated n France that many asplrants could
obtain it.
Alter the prayer, the King took OF his
coat. the right sleeve being held by the
grand master Of the wardrobe. the Duke de
Liarcourt, and the left by master of the
frs. rank. NJ. De Boisgelin or De ChaUve-
lin. and always in descending order, II the
higher officers were not present. Then tn.
King TOOK his shirt; it was given him by
the first gentleman Of the chamber. But II
one of the princes Of the blood was pres
ent, it was he who had the RICH: TO put on
the night shirt. which was considered
great honor.
Then the frat gentleman Of the chamber
presented the dressing gown to the King,
while he took the purse. an immense bunch
OF keys, his telescope and knife from his
pockets: then let his small clothes fall down
upon his heels, and, standing thus, would
often again converse for a long time. At
last he sat down II an rInchalr; servant
OF the chamber Oh the right, one OF the
wardrobe on the left, knelc down. and each
took one OF the King feet TO pull OFT his
stockings; then the two pages OF the chamber
advanced end put on his slippers. That was
the time for departure; the usher gave
the signal. saying: "Pass, gentlemen No
one remained but the Princes. the special
service and those who had the little entree.
They talked to the King while his hair was
being prepared for the night That was the
time tor pIeasan, speeches and little anec-
dotes, and the free. noisy laugh of Louis
XVI often struck on our ears in the cell de
B.auf, where we awaited orders for the next
day.
Before Loui. XVI was absorbed BY his
troubles. bedtime was his time for relaxa-
ton and fun. He played tricks on the
pages. leased Captain Laroche, and made
them tickle an old office. who was 50 sens;-
=, $l,$ I, % Top tho 600
Of it.-Recol'ectio'ss Of q Page Of the Court
of Louis XVI.