Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-05
Loul. xYI aolnr 20 ned.


At II o'clock came the officer on duty
and the eourliers. Everything was ready
splendid toilet table with lace and gold
broeade, the dressing-gown OF white EN-.
broidered Lyons silk on a chair OF red
morocco the chemise wrapped in piece
OF tahety; on the railing double cushion
Of the cloth of gold, called sultan, with
the night caps aud handkerchieis on t..
BY il were the slippers Of the same mate
rial as the gown, placed near pages OF
the chamber, standing against the rail
ing.
The monarch arrived, the first gentle
man of the chamber received his bat and
sword, and handed them 10 an under
official. The King commenced con-
versation with one Of the oourtiers, that
was longer or shorter, according as he
found il pleasant, and was often much
too long for our sleeplness and weary
legs. After the conversation was
finished, the King went within the
railing, knelt with the chaplain in
waiting alone, who held a long taper
stand Of silver gilt, with tapers, while
the Princes could only have one. The
chaplain recited the prayer Quesmus
omnipotens Deus: and, when the prayer
was finished, the taperstand was handed
to the first servant Of the chamber, and
he, at the Kings orders, gave it to any
gentleman to be distinguished. This
honor was so much appreciated in
France that many aspirants could not
disguise their disgust if they did not OBJ
tain it.
After the prayer the King took off his
coat, the right sleeve being held by the
Grand Master of the wardrobe the Duke
de Liancourt, and the left by master Of
first rank, M. De Bosigelin or DE Chau-
velin, and always in descending grade, If
the higher officers we're not present.
Then the King took his shirt; il was
given him by the first gentleman of the
chamber. But if one of the Princes OF
the blood was present, it was he who
had the right to put on the night.shirt,
which was considered q great honor.
Then the first gentleman Of the cham
ber presented the dressing-gown to the
King, while he took the purse, an i'm
mense bunch of keys, his telescope
and knife from his pockets, theH
| let his SmallN CLONES IAN uoWn
upon his heels, and, standing thus, would
often again converse for a long time.
At last he sat down in an arm chair; a
servant of the chamber on the right, one
of the wardrobe on the left, knelt down,
and each took one of the King s feet to
pull off his stockings then the two
pages of the chamber advanced and put
on his slippers. That was the time for
departure; the usher gave the signal,
saying, Pass, gentlemen" No one re-
mained but the Princes, the special SER
vice 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 for pleasant speeches and
little anecdotes, and the free, noisy laugh
of Louis XVI often struck on our ears
in the Gil de Beuf, where we awaited
orders for the next day.
Before Louis XVI was absorbed by
his troubles, bedtime was his time for
relaxation and fun. He played tricks
on the pages, teased Captain Laroche,
and made them tickle an old officer who
was so sensitive that he used to run
away for fear of it.-Recollections Of q
PAGE of the Court of Louis XVI.