During the ancient days of Welsh royalty, among the twenty-four ranks of
servants that attended at court, was one called "_the king's
feet-bearer_." This was a young gentleman, whose duty it was to sit upon
the floor with his back towards the fire, and hold the king's feet in his
bosom all the time he sat at table, to keep them warm and comfortable. A
piece of state and of luxury unknown in modern times.
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