New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-28
Tho Kings Chamber.

q striking picture Ut tho I'll aenco OF the
French court in the years Immediately PEE
ceding the revolutions:
The king is expected to keep the entire
aristocracy busy, consequently to make .
display Of himself, to pay back with his
own person, at all b0urs, even the most
private, even in getting out of bed, and
even in bed. In the morning, at the hour
named by himself beforehand, the head
valet awakens him; five series of persons
enter in turn to perform their duty, and,
although very large, there are days when
the waiting rooms can hardly contain the
courtiers." The first one admitted is
dren Vt France, the prince and
Processes of the blood, and besides
these, the chief physician, the chief
surgeon, and other serviceable persons.
Next comes the grande e'atree, which COM
prises the grand chamberlain, the grand
master and master of the wardrobe, the first
gentleman of the bedohamber, the dukes of
Orleans and Penthievre, some other highly
favored eeigniOrs. the ladies of honor and
in waiting of the queen, mesdames and
other prince sses, without enumerating bar.
bers, railOrs, and various descriptions of
Wallets. Meanwhile spirits of wine are
poured on the kings hands from q service
of plate, and he is then handed the basin of
holy water; he crosses himeelf and repeats
q prayer. Then he gets out of bed before
all these people and puts on his slippers.
The grand chamberlain and the first gentle
man hand him his dressing gown; he puts
this on and seats himself in the chair
in which he is to put on his clothes. At
this moment the door opens and third
group enters, which Is the entree DIES brerets.
The eeigniors who compose this enjoy, in
addition. the precious privilege Of assisting
at the petite coucher, while, at the same mo-
ment, there enters detachment Of attend
ants. consisting of the physicians and sur
geOns in ordinary, the intendants of the
amusemente, readers and others, and among
the latter those who preside over physical
requirements. The publicity of . royal
life is 90 great that none of its functions
can be exercised without witnesses. At
the moment of the approach of the Off
GERS of the wardrobe to dress him, the
first gentleman, notified by an usher, ad-
vsnces to read to the king the names OF the
grandees who are waiting ct the door. This
10 the fourth entry, called la chanabre, and
larger than those preceding it, for, not to
rug bearers and other Wallets, it comprises
most OF the superior officials, the grand
armorer, the almoners on duty, the chap
lain, the master of the oratory, the captain
and major of the French guards, the colonel
of the kings regiment, the captain of the
Cent Suissee, the grand huntsman, the
grand wolf hurtsman, the grand pro vost,
the grand master and master of ceremonies,
the first butler, the grand master of the
listers and secretaries of state, the mar
shals of France and most of the
seigniors and prelates of distinction.
fishers place the ranks in order, and
if necessary, impose silence. Mean
while the king washes his hands and
begins his toilet. Two pages remove his
slippers, the grand master Of the wardrobe
draws off his night shirt by the right arm,
and the first valet of the wardrobe by the |
officer Of the wardrobe, while valet of |
the wardrobe fetches the shirt wrapped up
in white taffeta. Things have now reached |
the solemn point, the elimination of the |
ceremony; the fifth entry has been intro |
duced, and in q few moments, after the |
King has put his shirt on, all that is left of |
those who are known. with other house |
hold officers waiting in the gallery, COM |
plete the influx. There is quite tormality |
ling it is reserved to the sons and grand |
sons Of France; in default of these to the |
princes of the blood of those legitmated: |
IN their default to the grand chamberlain or |
10 the first gentleman of the bed chamber; |
the latter case, it must be observed, being |
very rare, the princes being obliged to be |
present at the kings levee as we'll as the
2rincesses at that of the queen. At last
,hirt is presented, and q valet carries off the
I'D one; the first valet of the wardrobe and
he first valet de chambre hold the fresh
me, each by right and left arm respect
vely, while the other Wallets, during this
operation, extend his dressing gown in front
# him to serve as screen. The shirt is
low on his back, and the toilet commences.
valet de chsmbre supports mirror before
he King, while the others on the two sides
light it up, if occasion requires, with fam.
,eaux. Wallets of the wardrobe fetch the rest
f the attire. The grand master of the ward
obe puts the vest on aud the d0ublet, at
aches the blue ribbon, and clasps his sword
round him. Then a valet assigned to the
ravats brings several of these in a basket
While the master of the wardrobe arranges
round the kings neck that which the
ing selects. After this valet assigned to
alver, while the grand master of the ward
ODE offers the salver to the king, who
hooses one. Finally the master of the
'ardrobe hands the king his hat, his gloves
nd his cane. The king then steps to the
ide of the bed, kneels on cushion and
ays his prayers, while an almoner in low
DICE recites the orison, quGsumms deus ON
ipotens. This done the king announces
be- order of the day and passes the lead.
lg persons of his court into bis cabinet,
here he sometimes gives audience. Mean
lille the rest of the company await him
/ the gallery in order to accompany him
, mass when he comes out
The Wealth Of Brazil.
All ;nta1lioont trava1ers Vim hava vis;tod |