text: an irresistible combination of marriage market, employment agency and 
  entertainment capital of aristocratic Europe, boasting the best theatre, opera, 
  music, gambling, sex and (most important) hunting.[60] 
  
  Louis receiving the Doge of Genoa 
  at Versailles on 15 May 1685, 
  following the Bombardment of 
  Genoa. (*Reparation faite à*
  *Louis XIV par le Doge de Gênes. 15*
  *mai 1685*by Claude Guy Halle, 
  Versailles.) 
  
  Apartments were built to house those willing to pay court to the king.[61] However, the 
  pensions and privileges necessary to live in a style appropriate to their rank were only 
  possible by waiting constantly on Louis.[62] For this purpose, an elaborate court ritual was 
  created wherein the king became the centre of attention and was observed throughout the 
  day by the public. With his excellent memory, Louis could then see who attended him at 
  court and who was absent, facilitating the subsequent distribution of favours and positions. 
  Another tool Louis used to control his nobility was censorship, which often involved the opening of letters to discern their 
  author's opinion of the government and king.[61] Moreover, by entertaining, impressing, and domesticating them with extravagant 
  luxury and other distractions, Louis not only cultivated public opinion of him, but he also ensured the aristocracy remained under 
  his scrutiny. 