Fig. 70.
Anne of Austria.—(M. de Versailles.)
Colbert again writes, November 25th, pressing his Eminence on account of the "quantité de mariages qui se feront l'hyver." A passage in Tallemant des Réaux would lead one to suppose these laces were destined as patterns for the improvement of French manufactures. "Per mostra di farne in Francia," as the Cardinal expressed himself. Certainly in the inventory of Mazarin[[439]] there are no mention of Italian points, no lace coverlets to his "Lict d'ange moire tabizée, couleur de rose chamarrée de dentelles d'or et d'argent." We may almost imagine that the minister and his secretary combined were already meditating the establishment of Points de France.
In this reign, fresh sumptuary ordinances are issued. That of November 27th, 1660, is the most important of all,[[440]] and is highly commended by Sganarelle in the "Ecole des Maris" of Molière which appeared the following year:—
"Oh! trois et quatre fois soit béni cet édit,
Par qui des vêtemens le luxe est interdit;
Les peines des maris ne seront pas si grandes,
Et les femmes auront un frein à leurs demandes.
Oh! que je sais au roi bon gré de ses décrets;