I cannot now traverse all of the commentaries on Valéry, but the thing is neatly put in the little glossed edition of Charmes by Robert Monestier (in the series Nouveaux Classiques Larousse). ..... the quotation from Proust, referring to " un sacristain de Goya ou un tabellion du répertoire", is meant to suggest a conventionalized, slightly ridiculous stock figure, as is the valet who greets Swann until his behaviour shows his contempt for the highly placed guests. ...
