the memoirs of marie antoinette-第43章
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t may be me！〃
NOTE BY THE EDITOR。
The rejoicings were splendid and ingenious。 The artificers and tradesmen of Paris spent considerable sums in order to go to Versailles in a body； with their various insignia。 Almost every troop had music with it。 When they arrived at the court of the palace； they there arranged themselves so as to present a most interesting living picture。 Chimney…sweepers； quite as well dressed as those that appear upon the stage； carried an ornamented chimney； at the top of which was perched one of the smallest of their fraternity。 The chairmen carried a sedan highly gilt； in which were to be seen a handsome nurse and a little Dauphin。 The butchers made their appearance with their fat ox。 Cooks； masons； blacksmiths； all trades were on the alert。 The smiths hammered away upon an anvil； the shoemakers finished off a little pair of boots for the Dauphin； and the tailors a little suit of the uniform of his regiment。 The King remained a long time upon a balcony to enjoy the sight。 The whole Court was delighted with it。 So general was the enthusiasm that （the police not having carefully examined the procession） the grave…diggers had the imprudence to send their deputation also； with the emblematic devices of their ill…omened occupation。 They were met by the Princesse Sophie； the King's aunt； who was thrilled with horror at the sight； and entreated the King to have the audacious； fellows driven out of the procession； which was then drawing up on the terrace。
The 'dames de la halle' came to congratulate the Queen； and were received with the suitable ceremonies。
Fifty of them appeared dressed in black silk gowns； the established full dress of their order； and almost all wore diamonds。 The Princesse de Chimay went to the door of the Queen's bedroom to receive three of these ladies； who were led up to the Queen's bed。 One of them addressed her Majesty in a speech written by M。 de la Harpe。 It was set down on the inside of a fan； to which the speaker repeatedly referred； but without any embarrassment。 She was handsome； and had a remarkably fine voice。 The Queen was affected by the address； and answered it with great affability；wishing a distinction to be made between these women and the poissardes； who always left a disagreeable impression on her mind。
The King ordered a substantial repast for all these women。 One of his Majesty's maitres d'hotel； wearing his hat； sat as president and did the honours of the table。 The public were admitted； and numbers of people had the curiosity to go。
The Garden…du…Corps obtained the King's permission to give the Queen a dress ball in the great hall of the Opera at Versailles。 Her Majesty opened the ball in a minuet with a private selected by the corps； to whom the King granted the baton of an exempt。 The fete was most splendid。 All then was joy； happiness； and peace。
The Dauphin was a year old when the Prince de Guemenee's bankruptcy compelled the Princess； his wife； who was governess to the children of France； to resign her situation。
The Queen was at La Muette for the inoculation of her daughter。 She sent for me； and condescended to say she wished to converse with me about a scheme which delighted her； but in the execution of which she foresaw some inconveniences。 Her plan was to appoint the Duchesse de Polignac to the office lately held by the Princesse de Guemenee。 She saw with extreme pleasure the facilities which this appointment would give her for superintending the education of her children； without running any risk of hurting the pride of the governess； and that it would bring together the objects of her warmest affections； her children and her friend。 〃The friends of the Duchesse de Polignac；〃 continued the Queen； 〃will be gratified by the splendour and importance conferred by the employment。 As to the Duchess； I know her； the place by no means suits her simple and quiet habits； nor the sort of indolence of her disposition。 She will give me the greatest possible proof of her devotion if she yields to my wish。〃 The Queen also spoke of the Princesse de Chimay and the Duchesse de Duras； whom the public pointed out as fit for the post； but she thought the Princesse de Chimay's piety too rigid； and as to the Duchesse de Duras； her wit and learning quite frightened her。 What the Queen dreaded as the consequence of her selection of the Duchesse de Polignac was principally the jealousy of the courtiers； but she showed so lively a desire to see her scheme executed that I had no doubt she would soon set at naught all the obstacles she discovered。 I was not mistaken； a few days afterwards the Duchess was appointed governess。
The Queen's object in sending for me was no doubt to furnish me with the means of explaining the feelings which induced her to prefer a governess disposed by friendship to suffer her to enjoy all the privileges of a mother。 Her Majesty knew that I saw a great deal of company。
The Queen frequently dined with the Duchess after having been present at the King's private dinner。 Sixty…one thousand francs were therefore added to the salary of the governess as a compensation for this increase of expense。
The Queen was tired of the excursions to Marly； and had no great difficulty in setting the King against them。 He did not like the expense of them； for everybody was entertained there gratis。 Louis XIV。 had established a kind of parade upon these excursions； differing from that of Versailles； but still more annoying。 Card and supper parties occurred every day； and required much dress。 On Sundays and holidays the fountains played； the people were admitted into the gardens； and there was as great a crowd as at the fetes of St。 Cloud。
Every age has its peculiar colouring； Marly showed that of Louis XIV。 even more than Versailles。 Everything in the former place appeared to have been produced by the magic power of a fairy's wand。 Not the slightest trace of all this splendour remains； the revolutionary spoilers even tore up the pipes which served to supply the fountains。 Perhaps a brief description of this palace and the usages established there by Louis XIV。 may be acceptable。
The very extensive gardens of Marly ascended almost imperceptibly to the Pavilion of the Sun。； which was occupied only by the King and his family。 The pavilions of the twelve zodiacal signs bounded the two sides of the lawn。 They were connected by bowers impervious to the rays of the sun。 The pavilions nearest to that of the sun were reserved for the Princes of the blood and the ministers； the rest were occupied by persons holding superior offices at Court； or invited to stay at Marly。 Each pavilion was named after fresco paintings； which covered its walls； and which had been executed by the most celebrated artists of the age of Louis XIV。 On a line with the upper pavilion there was on the left a chapel； on the right a pavilion called La Perspective； which concealed along suite of offices； containing a hundred lodging…rooms intended for the persons belonging to the service of the Court； kitchens； and spacious dining… rooms； in which more than thirty tables were splendidly laid out。
During half of Louis XV。's reign the ladies still wore the habit de cour de Marly； so named by Louis XIV。； and which differed little from； that devised for Versailles。 The French gown； gathered in the back； and with great hoops； replaced this dress； and continued to be worn till the end of the reign of Louis XVI。 The diamonds； feathers； rouge； and embroidered stuffs spangled with gold； effaced all trace of a rural residence； but the people loved to see the splendour of their sovereign and a brilliant Court glittering in the shades of the woods。
After dinner； and before the hour for cards； the Queen； the Princesses； and their ladies； paraded among the clumps of trees； in little carriages； beneath canopies richly embroidered with gold； drawn by men in the King's livery。 The trees planted by Louis XIV。 were of prodigious height； which； however； was surpassed in several of the groups by fountains of the clearest water； while； among others； cascades over white marble； the waters of which； met by the sunbeams； looked like draperies of silver gauze； f
