As soon as the courtiers knew of the existence and purposes of
this house, they intrigued for the control of it. The king laughed
at all their efforts, and left the whole management to Lebel, under
the superintendence of the comte de Saint-Florentin, minister of
the royal household. They installed there, however, a sort of
military chief, formerly a major of infantry, who was called,
jestingly, M. de Cervieres; his functions consisted in an active
surveillance, and in preventing young men from penetrating the
seraglio. The soldiers at the nearest station had orders to
obey his first summons. His pay was twelve thousand livres a year.
A female styled the
had the management of the
domestic affairs; she ruled with despotic sway; controlled the
expenses; preserved good order; and regulated the amusement of
her charges, taking care that they did not mix one with the other.
She was an elderly canoness of a noble order, belonging to one of
the best families in Burgundy. She was only known at the as
, and no one ventured to give her any other title. Shortly
after the decease of Mme. De Pompadour, she had succeeded in
this employ a woman of low rank, who had a most astonishing mind.
Louis XV thought very highly of her, and said that if she were a
man he would have made her his minister.
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