Dangeau’s Diary, November 1687

6th. — Monsieur Charmel has for some time felt such a religious call, that he has resolved upon quitting the court. He informed the King of it this evening, and will sell his offices in order to be the more independent. He is captain of the battle-axes, and the King’s lieutenant for the Isle of France. His determination is the more to be wondered at, as he has every reason to be happy, and is upon the best terms with the King and the court.

11th. — Fontainebleau. Charmel has taken leave of the King, and has set oft to enter the Institution.

14th. — Versailles. The King has settled upon the Persian, Roussi, a pension of one thousand livres, and has also given him four thousand livres in ready money. He had made the King many presents, and some time since imported for him some fine Persian horses. This is the same Persian, the King gained a law-suit for some years since, and who, from gratitude, has revisited France.

19th. — The King went shooting after dinner, and about five o’clock arrived at Marly. Monseigneur had arrived there before him with the princesses, and, upon his arrival, rehearsed the dance to be performed during the next journey, as the divertissement to the Bourgeois Gentilhomme, which the King intends to have played. The princesses learnt their dance with the Comte de Brionne and the Messieurs Précour and Favier, both opera dancers.

27th. — Monseigneur has received two rich dresses from Constantinople, the one embroidered with gold, the other with silver. They were presented to him by Girardin, our ambassador at that court, and are very magnificent and beautiful.