Mercure Galant: Messenger of the Past – Various Occasions

The same edition brought to light not only the Court events. All what was happening in France & in the neighbourhood was in sight. Any month was full of various interesting events. Here are two of the kind. They are ordinary notes about a routine France life of that time

Here is a short review of Saint Louis’ Day celebration (25 August) held 1678 in the French Academy:                                                                                                                                                    ” Messiers from the French Academy celebrated S.Louis’s Day on Thursday 25 of this Month in the Chapel of the Louvre. Mr. Abbé Desailleurs read a Panegyric on Saint praising the King as well and so he caused admiration of everybody. This success is one of many for him. The Assembly, no matter it was enormous, consisted of exceptional persons. Mr. Abbé Colbert was there and he started his visit from introducing himself to Messieurs from the Academy and it was a great honour for him to be in their company. He was chosen to fill Saint Esprit fire place. It is said that this reception took place after his return from Fontainbleau…”

In July edition of the same year there was a peculiar note about reception arranged for la Grand Duchesse de Toscane (Marguerite-Louise d’Orléans, the daughter of Gaston d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s uncle):

“All of you know that Madame la Duchesse de Toscane made a journey to Caen in first days of this Month…As soon as Monsieur de Matignon learned the plan of Princess’s voyage, he instantly ordered to arrange a Reception, dedicated to Henry IV’s grand Daughter…Mr. de Matignon returned to Caen, from where he went  three lieues to meet her in the company of the best people of the Country. Princess sent the Captain of her Guards straight to his Palace as a compliment on her behalf…                                                      Mr. de Matignon ordered all the Captains of the City to gather in the valley, ahead of their groups and they had to place Torches on any City Window to light the entrance of S.A.R. (Sa Altesse Royale), but the excessive heat did not have to reach the Palace…but she arrived much earlier than had been expected & was welcomed only with a sound of a canon….She stayed in a Hotel the City prepared for her…Representatives of the City made her donations, which she received with gratitude, displayed very natural kindness, assured Ladies of the City in her respect…                                                                                                    She spent little time in the Garde, only to have a fresh drink, a soup if be more precise, and left early as she was planning to depart for the Delivrande  in the early morning the next day. It is one of the most famous Chapels in Europe with constant Miracles not ceasing for more than six centuries. It is located three lieues from Caen & a quarter lieue from te Sea. Madame de Toscane, who had seen the Mediterranian (Sea) on her way to Italy, longed for seeing the Ocean. Mr de Matignon learned about that, so during the night he sent orders to local Sailors to wait until he would give this pleasure to Princess with fishing & a Royal Regal…This Princess left Caen followed with numerous Carriages. She made devotions in the Delivrande with a special piousness &…then left for the Coste de Berniers…”

Vive le Roy! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Maria KethuProfumo