Dangeau’s Diary, January 1690

6th — The Marquis de Saint-Simon (Charles de Rouvroy), whose brother, the Duc (Claude de Rouvroy, the father of the writer Saint-Simon), had informed the King that the Marquis was dead, has recovered from a long state of insensibility, in which he exhibited no signs of life. The King had already given the lieutenancy, and the mayorship of Senlis, to the Duc; but as the Marquis is ninety years of age, it is not thought this resurrection will last long.

7th — Lieutenant-Colonel de Béthune, having been much hurt by the King’s making Monsieur de Villette, his junior in the service, a lieutenant-general, said and wrote that he would quit the service. Within these few days, however, he has thought better of it and has again offered himself; but the King has refused him, saying that he would never suffer such examples to be held up; thus he can never again enter the service. Some Dutch men have drunk to the health of the Stadtholder of England, and the King of Holland. This pleasantry has very much displeased the Prince of Orange and what has given him still greater dissatisfaction is, that the burgomasters of Amsterdam have resolved not to send again to England to consult him, respecting the magistrates they may appoint in future.

19th — After dinner, the King went to Sant-Cyr to see the representation of Esther; the Queen of England arrived there from Saint-Germain. She was overturned in her coach. The coachman who drove her had formerly driven Cromwell the Protector.

28th — The Dauphine has found herself more indisposed for the last three or four days, which the King passed at Marly, and has determined to put herself under the care of brother Ange, a Capuchin, who, it is said, possesses admirable remedies .