For the last six months, in consequence of a terrible blow my son
received in the face when playing tennis, one of his eyes is all
inflamed and full of blood. He consulted an oculist who prescribed
good remedies and made him promise, above all, to restrain himself in
eating and drinking, etc.; but he cannot resolve to keep that promise
and he leads his usual life. The condition of the eye has therefore
grown much worse; my son has had recourse to all the remedies, but he
will not interrupt his pleasures, or his business, which gives him a
great deal of reading and writing to do. Yesterday, he let himself be
bled and purged; to-day he is trying a powder which a priest gave him,
having got it from Germany. This powder has begun by causing a great
inflammation; he will have to use it two or three times. I really fear
it will end in his losing his sight; and you cannot think into what
anxiety that idea throws me.
To answer the other points in your letter, I must tell you that it is
not allowable to take the communion in one's chamber, unless in case
of illness. I should like very much to hear sermons in Advent; but
after dinner it is impossible; for if I listen to preaching just after
eating it does not depend on me not to go to sleep.
The Princess of Wales is, thank God, safely delivered of a son. It
is quite common that pregnancies should be delayed, like hers, to
the tenth month. As for me, I have had three children, but without
anything extraordinary. I never had a miscarriage, and bore them all
to the end of the ninth month. I lost my first son; my doctor, old M.
Esprit, killed him as if he had shot him through the head; but all
that is ancient history. He was called the Duc de Valois; but as that
name is unlucky, Monsieur would not let my second son bear it; that is
why he received the name of Duc de Chartres, which he bore till the
death of his father; then he took the name of Duc d'Orléans, and his
son is now the Duc de Chartres.