FliANCE TO LOUIS XIV.

123

Michaud, entering into the most minute regulations for the toilet,especially excited the risibility of the people. It was nevercarried out. The caricatures of this period are admirable: onerepresents a young cavalier fresh rigged in his plain-borderedlinen, according to the ordinance, eyeing with a look of despair abox of discarded laces:— 40

“ 11 me semble pourtant & mes yeuxQu’avec de l’or et la dantelleJe m'ajuste encore bien mieux.”

Alluding to the plain-bordered collars, now ordered by theprohibition of 1(539, the “ Satyrique de la Court ” sings:—

“Nagueres l’on n’oaoit hanter les damoisellesQue l’on n’eust le eolet bien garni de dentellcs;

Maintenant on se rit et se moque de ceux liiQui d: sircnt encore paroistre avec cela.

Les fraises et colets a bor 1 sont en usage,

Sans faire mention de tous en dentcllag'-.”

France at this time paying large sums to Italy and Flandersfor lace, the wearing of it is altogether prohibited, under pain ofconfiscation and a fine of 0009 livres. 41 The queen mother,regardless of edicts, has over passements d’or and all sorts offorbidden articles, “pour servir a la layette que sa majeste aenvoye en Angleterre.” 42 Within scarce one year of each otherpassed away Marie de Medicis, Richelieu, and Louis XIII. Theking’s effigy was exposed on its “lit de parade vetue d’unechemise de toile de Hollande avec de tres belles dantelles de pointde Gennes au collet et aux manches.” 43 So say the chroniclers.

40 “Le Courtisan Reforme', suivantl’Editdel’annee 1633;” and again,“LeJardin de la Noblesse Framjoise danslequel co peut cueillir leur maniere deVettement,” 1G29.

41 April 1636.

42 1631. “ Tresorevie de la Reine Mariede Medicis.” Arcli. Nat. 1\. K. 191.

43 Vulson de la Colombiere, “ Pompesqu’on pratique aux obseques des Roisde France.”