This historical tribute serves as a passionate defense of praising a monarch whose genuine virtues elevate him above the typical corruptions of absolute power. De Maistre highlights King Victor Amadeus III’s moral rectitude, personal humility, and deep commitment to family, contrasting his accessible nature with the decadent, isolated courts of other contemporary rulers. A central focus is the emotional account of the King’s historic visit to Savoy, where his decision to walk unguarded and interact directly with the common folk solidified an intense bond of mutual love, trust, and absolute loyalty between the sovereign and his subjects.
The text transitions into an analysis of the King’s administrative philosophy, celebrating his commitment to fiscal economy, legislative moderation, and public infrastructure development, such as bridges, dikes, and roads. De Maistre lauds a governance system that relies on questioning citizens from all walks of life to discern the truth, alongside an emphasis on rewarding military and civic service with honor rather than monetary wealth. The eulogy concludes with a fierce defense of the Savoyard character against moral slander, a celebration of the strategic royal marriage to Clotilde of France, and an earnest plea for the King to preserve peace amid European tensions while remaining a frequent, benevolent presence in the ancestral land of Savoy.
