56 33 en Altesse philosophe: 'in the role of philosophizing noble'; cf. note to 5 20.
57 7 bon: 'good natured,' 'kindly,' not 'good.'
57 11 On but sec: 'they drank hard.' Boire sec means to drink pure wine, without the usual admixture of water.
57 12 au Monténégro libre: Montenegrin independence was frequently menaced by Turkey during the nineteenth century. In 1862, as a result of a short but disastrous war, Montenegro had been forced to sign a humiliating treaty of peace in which she virtually acknowledged the suzerainty of Turkey. Daudet was in Africa in 1861-1862, gathering materials out of which "Tartarin" grew. It is possible that he met there the prototype of Gregory brooding over the disgrace of his country, or, at least, pretending to do so. However, the character of the prince and the information given in 56 31 ff lead us to suppose that in Gregory's mind "a free Montenegro" means a Montenegro free from the existing constitutional authorities, rather than free from Turkish domination.
57 14 qu'on secoue: 'being shaken,' cf. note to 55 7.
57 18 Parlez-moi des: 'just trust'--lever ... la caille. 'start the game.' The usual expression is lever le lièvre 'to start the hare,' 'to uncover something hidden.' A loose woman is sometimes called caille ('quail'), caille coiffée, hence the substitution of caille for lièvre.
57 20 aux Platanes: = au restaurant des Platanes, cf. 56 20.