八喜电子书 > 经管其他电子书 > the memoirs of louis xiv-14 >

第9部分

the memoirs of louis xiv-14-第9部分

小说: the memoirs of louis xiv-14 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



for us。

At last we arrived on the 9th; at our village of Villahalmanzo; where I
found most comfortable quarters for myself and all who were with me。  I
found there; also; my eldest son; still merely; convalescent; with the
Abbe de Monthon; who came from Burgos。  We supped very gaily; and I
reckoned upon taking a good excursion the next day; and upon amusing
myself in reconnoitring the village and the environs; but fever seized me
during the night; augmented during the day; became violent the following
night; so that there was no more talk of going on the 11th to meet the
King and Queen at Lerma; as they alighted from their coach; according to
arrangement。

The malady increased with such rapidity that I was found to be in great
danger; and immediately after; on the point of death。  I was bled shortly
after。  The small…pox; with which the whole country was filled; appeared。
The climate was such this year that it froze hard twelve or fourteen
hours every day; while from eleven o'clock in 'the morning till nearly
four; the sun shone as brightly as possible; and it was too hot about
mid…day for walking!  Yet in the shade it did not thaw for an instant。
This cold weather was all the more sharp because the air was purer and
clearer; and the sky continually of the most perfect serenity。

The King of Spain; who was dreadfully afraid of the small…pox; and who
with reason had confidence only in his chief doctor; sent him to me as
soon as he was informed of my illness; with orders not to quit me until I
was cured。  I had; therefore; five or six persons continually around me;
in addition to the domestics who served me; one of the best and most
skilful physicians in Europe; who; moreover; was capital company; and who
did not quit me night or day; and three very good surgeons。  The small…
pox came out very abundantly all over me; it was of a good kind; and I
had no dangerous accident。  Every one who waited upon me; master or man;
was cut off from all intercourse with the rest of the world; even those
who cooked for us; from those who did not。

The chief physician nearly every day provided new remedies in case of
need; and yet administered none to me; except in giving me; as my sole
beverage; water; in which; according to its quantity; oranges were
thrown; cut in two with their skins on; and which gently simmered before
my; fire; occasionally some spoonful of a gentle and agreeable cordial
during the height of the suppuration; and afterwards a little Rota wine;
and some broth; made of beef and partridge。

Nothing was wanting; then; on the part of those who had charge of me。  I
was their only patient; and they had orders not to quit me; and nothing
was wanting for my amusement; when I was in a condition to take any; so
much good company being around me; and that at a time when convalescents
of this malady experience all the weariness and fretfulness of it。  At
the end of my illness I was bled and purged once; after which I lived as
usual; but in a species of solitude。

During the long interval in which this illness shut me out from all
intercourse with the world; the Abbe de Saint…Simon corresponded for me
with Cardinal Dubois; Grimaldo; Sartine; and some others。

The King and Queen; not content with having sent me their chief
physician; M。 Hyghens; to be with me night and day; wished to hear how I
was twice a day; and when I was better; unceasingly showed to me a
thousand favours; in which they were imitated by all the Court。

But I was six weeks ill in all。




CHAPTER CX

Here I think will be the fitting place to introduce an account of the
daily life of the King and Queen of Spain; which in many respects was
entitled to be regarded as singular。  During my stay at the Court I had
plenty of opportunity to mark it well; so that what I relate may be said
to have passed under my own eyes。  This; then; was their daily life
wherever they were; and in all times and seasons。

The King and Queen never had more than one apartment; and one bed between
them; the latter exactly as I have described it when relating my visit
with Maulevrier to their Catholic Majesties to carry to them the news of
the departure from Paris of the future Princess of the Asturias。  During
fevers; illness; no matter of what kind; or on whose side; childbirth
even;never were they a single night apart; and even when the deceased
Queen was eaten up with the scrofula; the King continued to sleep with
her until a few nights before her death!

About nine o'clock in the morning the curtains were drawn by the Asafeta;
followed by a single valet carrying a basin full of caudle。  Hyghens;
during my convalescence; explained to me how this caudle was made; and in
fact concocted some for me to taste。  It is a light mixture of broth;
milk; wine (which is in the largest quantity); one or two yolks of eggs;
sugar; cinnamon; and a few cloves。  It is white; has a very strong taste;
not unmixed with softness。  I should not like to take it habitually;
nevertheless it is not disagreeable。  You put in it; if you like; crusts
of bread; or; at times; toast; and then it becomes a species of soup;
otherwise it is drunk as broth; and; ordinarily; it was in this last
fashion the King took it。  It is unctuous; but very warm; a restorative
singularly good for retrieving the past night; and; for preparing you for
the next。

While the King partook of this brief breakfast; the Asafeta brought the
Queen some tapestry to work at; passed bed…gowns to their Majesties; and
put upon the bed some of the papers she found upon the adjoining seats;
then withdrew with the valet and what he had brought。  Their Majesties
then said their morning prayers。  Grimaldo afterwards entered。  Sometimes
they signalled to him to wait; as he came in; and called him when their
prayer was over; for there was nobody else; and the bedroom was very
small。  Then Grimaldo displayed his papers; drew from his pocket an
inkstand; and worked with the King; the Queen not being hindered by her
tapestry from giving her opinion。

This work lasted more or less according to the business; or to the
conversation。  Grimaldo; upon leaving with his papers; found the
adjoining room empty; and a valet in that beyond; who; seeing him pass;
entered into the empty room; crossed it; and summoned the Asafeta; who
immediately came and presented to the King his slippers and his dressing…
gown; he at once passed across the empty room and entered into a cabinet;
where he dressed himself; followed by three valets (never changed) and by
the Duc del Arco; or the Marquis de Santa Cruz; and after by both; nobody
else ever being present at the ceremony。

The Queen; as soon as the King had passed into his cabinet; put on her
stockings and shoes alone with the Asafeta; who gave her her dressing…
gown。  It was the only moment in which this person could speak to the
Queen; or the Queen to her; but this moment did not stretch at the most
to more than half a quarter of an hour。  Had they been longer together
the King would have known it; and would have wanted to hear what kept
them。  The Queen passed through the empty chamber and entered into a fine
large cabinet; where her toilette awaited her。  When the King had dressed
in his cabinetwhere he often spoke to his confessorhe went to the
Queen's toilette; followed by the two seigneurs just named。  A few of the
speciallyprivileged were also admitted there。  This toilette lasted
about three…quarters of an hour; the King and all the rest of the company
standing。

When it was over; the King half opened the door of the Hall of Mirrors;
which leads into the salon where the Court assembled; and gave his
orders; then rejoined the Queen in that room which I have so often called
the empty room。  There and then took place the private audiences of the
foreign ministers; and of; the seigneurs; or other subjects who obtained
them。  Once a week; on Monday; there was a public audience; a practice
which cannot be too much praised where it is not abused。  The King;
instead of half opening the door; threw it wide open; and admitted
whoever liked to enter。  People spoke to the King as much as they liked;
how they liked; and gave him in writing what they liked。  But the
Spaniards resemble in nothing the French; they are measured; discreet;
respectful; brief。

After the audiences; or after amusing himself with the Queenif there
are none; the King went to dress。  The Queen accompanied him; and they
took the communion together (never separately) about once a week; and
then they heard a second mass。  The confession of the King was said after
he rose; and before he went to the Queen's toilette。

Upon returning from mass; or very shortly after; the dinner was served。
It was always in the Queen's apartment; as well as the supper; but the
King and Queen had each their dishes; the former; few; the latter; many;
for she liked eating; and ate of everything; the King always kept to the
same thingssoup; capon; pigeons; boiled and roast; and always a roast
loin of vealno fruit; or salad; or cheese; pastry; rarely; never
maigre; eggs; often cooked in various fashion; and he drank nothing but
champagne; the Queen the same。  When the dinner was finished; they prayed
to God together。  If anything pressing happened; Grimaldo came and gave
them a brief account of it。

About an hour after dinner; they left the apartment by a short passage
accessible to the court; and descended by a little staircase to their
coach; returning by the same way。  The seigneurs who frequented the court
pretty constantly assembled; now one; now another; in this passage; or
followed their Majesties to their coaches。  Very often I saw them in this
passage as they went or returned。  The Queen always said something
pleasant to whoever was there。  I will speak elsewhere of the hunting…
party their Majesties daily made。

Upon returning; the King gave his orders。  If they had not partaken of a
collation in the coach; they partook of one upon arriving。  It was for
the King; a morsel of bread; a big biscuit; some water and wine; and for
the Queen; pastry and fruit in season; sometimes cheese。  The Prince and
the Princess of the Asturias; and the

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的