Turgot, Malesherbes, and Necker judged that this Prince, modest and simple in his habits, would willingly sacrifice the royal prerogative to the solid greatness of his people.

His heart, in truth, disposed him towards reforms; but his prejudices and fears, and the clamours of pious and privileged persons, intimidated him, and made him abandon plans which his love for the people had suggested.
Monsieur had more dignity of demeanour than the King; but his corpulence rendered his gait inelegant.

He was fond of pageantry and magnificence.
He cultivated the belles lettres, and under assumed names often contributed verses to the Mercury and other papers.
[During his stay at Avignon, Monsieur, afterwards Louis XVIII, lodged with the Duc de Crillon; he refused the town-guard which was offered him, saying, "A son of France, under the roof of a Crillon, needs no guard."-- NOTE BY THE EDITOR.] His wonderful memory was the handmaid of his wit, furnishing him with the happiest quotations.

He knew by heart a varied repertoire, from the finest passages of the Latin classics to the Latin of all the prayers, from the works of Racine to the vaudeville of "Rose et Colas." The Comte d'Artoisi had an agreeable countenance, was well made, skilful in bodily exercises, lively, impetuous, fond of pleasure, and very particular in his dress.

Some happy observations made by him were repeated with approval, and gave a favourable idea of his heart.