Punch and Judy in 1669.
Although Punch was not originally French, he has always been greatly esteemed in France. The following entries are found in the registers of the royal treasury:—
"Paid to Brioché, the puppet-player, for sojourning at St. Germain-en-Laye, during September, October and November, 1669, to divert the royal children, 1365 livres."
"Paid to François Daitelin, puppet-player, for the fifty-six days he remained at St. Germain, to amuse Monseigneur le Dauphin (July and August, 1669), 820 livres."
Five successive months must almost have been enough of such amusement for the royal children of France.