The advantage of position is well illustrated in the following incident:
When Louis XIV was at play with some courtiers, a dispute
arose in regard to one of the turns of the game. The king was
eager, and his opponent seemed resolute to resist; and the rest
of the court stood round maintaining a dignified neutrality,
and none venturing a remark. At that moment Count de Grammont
was seen entering the apartment, whereon the king called out,
“Come hither, Grammont, and decide this dispute between us.”
“Your majesty is in the wrong,” said the count, the moment he
approached. “How can you say I am in the wrong!” cried the king,
“when you have not heard what is the point in dispute?” “Why,
sire,” said Grammont, “if the point had been doubtful, all these
gentlemen who are standing round silent would have decided in
your favor long ago.”--CROAKE JAMES, “Curiosities of
Law and Lawyers.”
(1078)