PARIS, Wednesday, January 12, 1689.
You retired then at five o’clock in the afternoon; you drew king and
queen at dinner; you were in as good company as at Paris. It will
not be my fault if the archbishop (of Aix) does not know that you
are satisfied with him; I informed Madame de la Fayette of this the
other day, who was much pleased with the information; she enjoins you
both to lay aside the spirit and way of thinking of Provence. But to
come to the King and Queen of England. It is so extraordinary to have
this court here, that it is the constant subject of conversation. The
regulation of rank and precedency is to be attended to, in order to
render life agreeable to those who are so unlikely to be restored.
This the king said the other day, adding that the English king was the
best man in the world; that he should hunt with him; that he should
come to Marly and Trianon; and that the courtiers should habituate
themselves to him. The King of England does not give his hand to the
dauphin, and does not reconduct him. The queen has not kissed monsieur,
who is offended at this; she said to the king, “Tell me what you wish
me to do; if you would have me follow the French fashion, I will
salute whom you please; but it is not the custom in England to salute
any one.” She paid a visit to the dauphiness, who was ill, and who
received her in bed. No one sits in England; I believe the duchesses
will follow the French fashion, and behave to her as they did to her
mother-in-law.[244] We are greatly taken up with this new court.
[244] Henrietta of France, daughter of Henry IV., and wife of
Charles I. King of England.
In the mean time, the Prince of Orange is in London, where he has
imprisoned several lords; he is severe, and will soon make himself
hated. M. Schomberg is commander-in-chief in Holland, in the room of
this prince, and his son is to have the reversion: so the mask is now
completely thrown off.