Medieval and modern times : an introduction to the history of western Europe form the dissolution of the Roman empire to the present time . the Palace of Versailles the problems which constantly face the ruler of a great state, amonarch must, like Frederick the Great or Napoleon, rise earlyand toil late. Louis XIV was greatly aided by the able min-isters who sat in his council, but he always retained for himselfthe place of first minister. He would never have consented, tobe dominated by an adviser, as his father had been by Richelieu. The profession of the king, he declared, is great, noble,a
Medieval and modern times : an introduction to the history of western Europe form the dissolution of the Roman empire to the present time . the Palace of Versailles the problems which constantly face the ruler of a great state, amonarch must, like Frederick the Great or Napoleon, rise earlyand toil late. Louis XIV was greatly aided by the able min-isters who sat in his council, but he always retained for himselfthe place of first minister. He would never have consented, tobe dominated by an adviser, as his father had been by Richelieu. The profession of the king, he declared, is great, noble,and delightful if one but feels equal to performing the dutieswhich it involves, — and he never harbored a doubt that hehimself was bom for the business. France under Louis XIV 391 How Louis encouraged Art and Literature 77. Louis XIV was careful that his surroundings should suit The kingsthe grandeur of his office. His court was magnificent beyond v^ersaiUesanything that had been dreamed of in the West. He had anenormous palace constructed at Versailles, just outside of Paris,with interminable halls and apartments and a vast garden. Fig. 105. One of the Vast Halls of Versailles stretching away behind it. About this a town was laid out,where those who were privileged to be near his majesty orsupply the wants of the royal court lived. This palace andits outlying buildings, including two or three less gorgeousresidences for the king when he occasionally tired of the cere-mony of Versailles, probably cost the nation about a hundredmillion dollars, in spite of the fact that thousands of peasantsand soldiers were forced to turn to and work without furnishings and decorations were as rich and costly as thepalace was splendid and still fill the visitor with wonder. For 392 Medieval and Modem Times LMt atLouis XIVscourt over a century Versailles continued to be the home of theFrench kings and the seat of their government. This splendor and luxury helped to attract the nobility
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Keywords: ., bookauthorrobinson, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookyear1919
