The prejudiced Rutledge writes nearly a century later: "As the lower classes of the French are so completely qualified for Domestics, it is not surprising that such numerous colonies of French valets de chambre, cooks and footmen are planted all over Europe: and that the nobility and fashionable people of so many countries shew an avowed Propensity to Prefer them even to their fellow natives" (Account of the Character and Manners of the French, 1770, pt. ii. p. 172).
[982] Flecknoe, Characters ... (1665), London, 1673, p. 8. "They (the French) have gained so much influence over the English Fops that they furnish them with their French Puppydogs for Valets de Chambre" (French Conjuror, 1678). Addison (Spectator, No. 45) says he remembers the time when some well-bred Englishwomen kept a valet de chambre "because, forsooth, they were more handy than one of their own sex."
[983] Satire on the French, 1691. Reprinted as the Baboon à la Mode, 1701.
[984] Satirical Reflections, 1707, 3rd pt.
[985] Cp. Wycherley, Country Wife, Act I. Sc. 1.
[986] Diary, Oct 19, 1663; May 30, 1665; May 12, 1667; Feb. 18, March 13 and 26, 1668.
[987] Flecknoe, Characters, p. 12. Pepys describes a French dance at Court (Diary, Nov. 15, 1666), which was "not extraordinarily pleasing." He much admired the dancing of the young Princess Mary, taught by a Frenchman (Diary, March 2, 1669). The maîtres d'armes were often Italians and Spaniards. There were protests against the French and Italian singing and dancing "taught by the dregs of Italy and France" (Satirical Reflections, 1707).
[988] Pepys's Diary, ed. H. B. Wheatley, v. p. 332, note, and vi. p. 187.
[989] A Frenchman was appointed in his place; cp. Cal. of State Papers, 1660-61, p. 7; 1663-64, pp. 214, 607. Children were sent to France to learn music. Pepys did not like the "French airs" (Diary, July 27, 1661; June 18, 1666).
[990] Flecknoe, Characters, p. 48. French gardeners (Cal. State Papers, 1661-62, pp. 175, 294) and French barbers were also in favour. Pepys went to the French pewterer's (March 13, 1667-8).