Post by Louis XIV on Oct 6, 2023 15:06:28 GMT
The Social Whirlwind by Sieur Matheus Mallette
Paris’ society scene resumed in full force with the return of the Royal Court from its summer absence and the end of the campaign season against the Hapsburg foe. Starting the month was a dinner party held at la Mansion du Balls. Better attended them the Viscomte de Torcy’s previous attempt, Lord and Lady Balls played host to Lord de Bearne with Lady de Lyon, Lieutenant Buission escorting Mlle Favre, the widows Mdm d’Armagnac and Mdm De’ath, as well as Father William. The absence of Lord Balls’ friend and fellow government minister, Lord Bougiedure, was a surprise as the Grand Duc and Duchess de Chevreuse chose to attend the theater instead. At the dinner party, Mdm d’Armagnac did provide entertainment as she drunkenly recited an incident involving Docteur De’Ath and an errant olive, much to the delight of the party goers.
Government meetings occupied the second week of September, with both Lords Bougiedure and Balls attending to duties as Secretary of State and Intendent for Finance respectively. Lord Bougiedure’s report on the state of the eastern provinces after the conclusion of the Summer Campaign was met with ecstatic applause while Lord Balls’ account of the financial performance of royal investments was rather dull. Perhaps Lord Balls should have done as the Grand Duc and brought his wife to inspire a groundswell of emotion from the gallery.
The Reception for the envoy from the Viceroy of Naples was rather lightly attended for reasons that I shall shortly address but Lord de Bearne was in attendance with the ever charming Lady de Lyon . The Grand Duc impress the visiting dignitary as well as the court with his knowledge of Spanish culture and customs. I am told, however, that he absented himself from the reception part away through for some mysterious reason.
The highlight of the month, however, was the Grand Ball held by the Grand Duc de Chevreuse at his chateau in Ile de France. It was truly the can’t miss event of the year. Lord Bougiedure spared no expense in entertaining his guests which included the Crown Prince, Lord and Lady Balls, Lieutenant Buisson with Mlle Farve, Father Vincent, and the widows Mdm d’Armagnac and De’Ath. It was a glittering affair with everyone’s best manners on display. Lieutenant Buisson entertained the assemblage with tales of heroics at the front much to the delight of Lord Bougiedure. Father Vincent was eloquent in his demonstration of theological matters with the Marquis du Dampierre, the former envoy to the Papal States, and his daughter. Only the recently arrived in Paris, Mdm De’Ath seemed out of her depth amongst the august personages but she managed to avoid any embarrassing faux-pas. In the ballroom, the Bougiedures were dominate as both Lord Balls and Mlle Favre committed noticeable gaffes and both widows remained near the refreshment table due to a lack of dance partners.
The month ended with additional government meetings at the Louvre. It seemed to be a repeat of the previous meetings as Lord Balls was once again unable to engage the interest of his fellow ministers. Lord Bougiedure eloquence continued unabated and he emerged from his private audience with the King in a very jubilant mood. The Grand Duc seems to have displaced Cardinal Richelieu in the King’s favor.
Paris’ society scene resumed in full force with the return of the Royal Court from its summer absence and the end of the campaign season against the Hapsburg foe. Starting the month was a dinner party held at la Mansion du Balls. Better attended them the Viscomte de Torcy’s previous attempt, Lord and Lady Balls played host to Lord de Bearne with Lady de Lyon, Lieutenant Buission escorting Mlle Favre, the widows Mdm d’Armagnac and Mdm De’ath, as well as Father William. The absence of Lord Balls’ friend and fellow government minister, Lord Bougiedure, was a surprise as the Grand Duc and Duchess de Chevreuse chose to attend the theater instead. At the dinner party, Mdm d’Armagnac did provide entertainment as she drunkenly recited an incident involving Docteur De’Ath and an errant olive, much to the delight of the party goers.
Government meetings occupied the second week of September, with both Lords Bougiedure and Balls attending to duties as Secretary of State and Intendent for Finance respectively. Lord Bougiedure’s report on the state of the eastern provinces after the conclusion of the Summer Campaign was met with ecstatic applause while Lord Balls’ account of the financial performance of royal investments was rather dull. Perhaps Lord Balls should have done as the Grand Duc and brought his wife to inspire a groundswell of emotion from the gallery.
The Reception for the envoy from the Viceroy of Naples was rather lightly attended for reasons that I shall shortly address but Lord de Bearne was in attendance with the ever charming Lady de Lyon . The Grand Duc impress the visiting dignitary as well as the court with his knowledge of Spanish culture and customs. I am told, however, that he absented himself from the reception part away through for some mysterious reason.
The highlight of the month, however, was the Grand Ball held by the Grand Duc de Chevreuse at his chateau in Ile de France. It was truly the can’t miss event of the year. Lord Bougiedure spared no expense in entertaining his guests which included the Crown Prince, Lord and Lady Balls, Lieutenant Buisson with Mlle Farve, Father Vincent, and the widows Mdm d’Armagnac and De’Ath. It was a glittering affair with everyone’s best manners on display. Lieutenant Buisson entertained the assemblage with tales of heroics at the front much to the delight of Lord Bougiedure. Father Vincent was eloquent in his demonstration of theological matters with the Marquis du Dampierre, the former envoy to the Papal States, and his daughter. Only the recently arrived in Paris, Mdm De’Ath seemed out of her depth amongst the august personages but she managed to avoid any embarrassing faux-pas. In the ballroom, the Bougiedures were dominate as both Lord Balls and Mlle Favre committed noticeable gaffes and both widows remained near the refreshment table due to a lack of dance partners.
The month ended with additional government meetings at the Louvre. It seemed to be a repeat of the previous meetings as Lord Balls was once again unable to engage the interest of his fellow ministers. Lord Bougiedure eloquence continued unabated and he emerged from his private audience with the King in a very jubilant mood. The Grand Duc seems to have displaced Cardinal Richelieu in the King’s favor.