134 MEMOIRS OF THE DUKE OF SAINT-SIMON.

CHAPTER XIV.

•Birth of Louis XV.—-The Marechal de la Meilleraye—St. Euth's Cudgel—
The Cardinal de Bouillon's desertion from France—Anecdotes of Ms
audacity.

ON Saturday, the 15th of February, the King was waked up
at seven o'clock in the morning, an hour earlier than usual, be-
cause Madame la Duchesse de Bourgogne was in the pains of
labour. He dressed himself diligently in order to go to her.
She did not keep him waiting long. At three minutes and
three seconds after eight o'clock, she brought into the world a
Due d'Anjou, who is the King Louis XV., at present reigning,,
which caused a great joy. This Prince was soon after
sprinkled by Cardinal de Janson in the chamber where he was
born, and then carried upon the knees of the Duchesse de
Ventadour in the sedan chair of the King into the King's apart-
ments, accompanied by the Marechal de Boufflers and by the
body-guards with officers. A little while after La Vrilli&re car-
ried to him the cordon bleu, and all the Court went to see him,
two things which much displeased his brother, who did not
scruple to show it. Madame de Saint-Simon, who was in the
chamber of Madame la Dauphine, was by chance one of the-
first who saw this new-born Prince. The accouchement passed
over very well.

About this time died the Mar&hale de la Meilleraye, aged
eighty-eight years. She was the paternal aunt of the Marechal
de Villeroy and the Due de Brissac, his brother-in-law. It was
she who unwittingly put that cap on MM. de Brissac, which
they have ever since worn in their arms, and which has been