The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 03 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 72 pages of information about The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 03.

The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 03 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 72 pages of information about The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 03.
duke at Breda, November 24, 1659, and married at Worcester-house, 3rd September, 1660, in the night, between eleven and two, by Dr. Joseph Crowther, the duke’s chaplain; the Lord Ossory giving her in marriage.  —­Kennet’s Register, p. 246.  She died 31st March, 1671, having previously acknowledged herself to be a Roman Catholic.—­See also her character by Bishop Morley.—­Kennet’s Register, p. 385, 390.]

The queen dowager returned after the marriage of the princess royal, and it was in her court that the two others met.

The Chevalier de Grammont was soon liked by all parties those who had not known him before were surprised to see a Frenchman of his disposition.  The king’s restoration having drawn a great number of foreigners from all countries to the court, the French were rather in disgrace; for, instead of any persons of distinction having appeared among the first who came over, they had only seen some insignificant puppies, each striving to outdo the other in folly and extravagance, despising everything which was not like themselves, and thinking they introduced the ‘bel air’, by treating the English as strangers in their own country.

The Chevalier de Grammont, on the contrary, was familiar with everybody:  he gave in to their customs, eat of everything, and easily habituated himself to their manner of living, which he looked upon as neither vulgar nor barbarous; and as he showed a natural complaisance, instead of the impertinent affectation of the others, all the nation was charmed with a man, who agreeably indemnified them for what they had suffered from the folly of the former.

He first of all made his court to the king, and was of all his parties of pleasure:  he played high, and lost but seldom:  he found so little difference in the manners and conversation of those with whom he chiefly associated, that he could scarcely believe he was out of his own country.  Everything which could agreeably engage a man of his disposition, presented itself to his different humours, as if the pleasures of the court of France had quitted it to accompany him in his exile.

He was every day engaged for some entertainment; and those who wished to regale him in their turn, were obliged to take their measures in time, and to invite him eight or ten days before hand.  These importunate civilities became tiresome in the long run; but as they seemed indispensable to a man of his disposition, and as they were the most genteel people of the court who loaded him with them, he submitted with a good grace; but always reserved to himself the liberty of supping at home.

His supper hour depended upon play, and was indeed very uncertain; but his supper was always served up with the greatest elegance, by the assistance of one or two servants, who were excellent caterers and good attendants, but understood cheating still better.

The company, at these little entertainments, was not numerous, but select:  the first people of the court were commonly of the party; but the man, who of all others suited him best on these occasions, never failed to attend:  that was the celebrated Saint Evremond, who with great exactness, but too great freedom, had written the history of the treaty of the Pyrenees:  an exile like himself, though for very different reasons.

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The Memoirs of Count Grammont — Volume 03 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.