So much more essential is it that the ambassadors, ministers and general officers who represent the king should display themselves in a grandiose manner.  No circumstance rendered the ancient régime so brilliant and more oppressive; in this, as in all the rest, Louis XIV is the principal originator of evil as of good.  The policy which fashioned the court prescribed ostentation.

“A display of dress, table, equipages, buildings and play was made purposely to please; these afforded opportunities for entering into conversation with him.  The contagion had spread from the court into the provinces and to the armies, where people of any position were esteemed only in proportion to their table and magnificence."[61]

During the year passed by the Marshal de Belle-Isle at Frankfort, on account of the election of Charles VI, he expended 750,000 livres in journeys, transportations, festivals and dinners, in constructing a kitchen and dining-hall, and besides all this, 150,000 livres in snuff-boxes, watches and other presents; by order of Cardinal Fleury, so economical, he had in his kitchens one hundred and one officials.[62] At Vienna, in 1772, the ambassador, the Prince de Rohan, had two carriages costing together 40,000 livres, forty horses, seven noble pages, six gentlemen, five secretaries, ten musicians, twelve footmen, and four grooms whose gorgeous liveries each cost 4,000 livres, and the rest in proportion.[63] We are familiar with the profusion, the good taste, the exquisite dinners, and the admirable ceremonial display of the Cardinal de Bernis in Rome.  “He was called the king of Rome, and indeed he was such through his magnificence and in the consideration he enjoyed. . . .  His table afforded an idea of what is possible. . .  In festivities, ceremonies and illuminations he was always beyond comparison.”  He himself remarked, smiling, “I keep a French inn on the cross-roads of Europe."[64] Accordingly their salaries and indemnities are two or three times more ample than at the present day.  “The king gives 50,000 crowns to the great embassies.  The Duc de Duras received even 200,000 livres per annum for that of Madrid, also, besides this, 100,000 crowns gratuity, 50,000 livres for secret service; and he had the loan of furniture and effects valued at 400,000 and 500,000 livres, of which he kept one-half."[65] The outlays and salaries of the ministers are similar.  In 1789, the Chancellor gets 120,080 livres salary and the Keeper of the Seals 135,000. " M. de Villedeuil, as Secretary of State, was to have had 180,670 livres, but as he represented that this sum would not cover his expenses, his salary was raised to 226,000 livres, everything included."[66] Moreover, the rule is, that on retiring from office the king awards them a pension of 20,000 livres and gives a dowry of 200,000 livres to their daughters.  This is not excessive considering the way they live.  “They are obliged to maintain such state in their households, for they