ices, an uncounted number of carafes sparkling with rare liqueurs--all
created a picture of colorful luxury, which, we are assured, struck
those that looked upon it as "most agreeable." Threading their musical
murmurings through all the laughter and badinage, the tossing jets of
the pyramidal fountains fell away to pools and green-bordered streams.

Lully's opera, "_Cadmus et Hermione_" Was sung in a theater arranged at
the end of the Allée of the Dragon. At its close every one made a tour
of the park in open vehicles, lighted by torches carried by lackeys,
and all assisted at an exhibition of fire-works on the canal. The
evening ended with a supper in the Marble Court. Here an illuminated
column was placed on an immense pedestal, while around it was disposed
a table with seats for fifty persons.

The fifth gala day was marked by the presentation to the King of one
hundred and seven flags and standards that Condé, the illustrious
general, had taken at the battle of Senef. In the evening the company
toured the park of Versailles, occupying thirty six-horse carriages.
After a supper served in a forest retreat the invited ones witnessed a
performance of "Iphigénie," a new tragedy by Racine, which was most
admirably played by the royal troupe, and much applauded by the Court.
There followed a grand illumination of the great fountain at the head
of the canal--a display whose beauty and ingenuity "surprised every
one"--even the luxury-surfeited guests of Versailles. Besides an
encircling balustrade six feet in height and ornamented with _fleurs de
lys_ and the arms of the King (all of which glowed with a golden light
most lovely to look upon), there were high pedestals that appeared to
be of transparent marble, with ornaments representing Apollo and the
Sun, whose device Louis, instigator of all the splendor of Versailles,
had adopted as his own insignia. These decorations were made after