[Footnote 3]: Of course, PIERRE CORNEILLE is here meant. THOMAS CORNEILLE, who was surnamed the Great, must not, however be forgotten. THOMAS is the author of Ariane and le Comte d'Essex, a tragedy much esteemed, and which is deserving of estimation. [Return to text]
[Footnote 4]: Thus called, because they formed a very close and very elevated group at one of the extremities of the hall of the National Convention. [Return to text]
[Footnote 5]: FABRE D'EGLANTINE was tried for having, in concert with certain stock-jobbers, proposed and caused the adoption of decrees concerning the finances. [Return to text]
[Footnote 6]: LEKAIN said humourously that to play the drame well, it was sufficient to know how to make a summerset. [Return to text]
[Footnote 7]: Every one is acquainted with the two comedies written by this author, Le Barbier de Seville and Le Mariage de Figaro. The astonishing run of the latter, which was acted one hundred and fifty succeeding nights, was greatly owing to BEAUMARCHAIS having there turned into ridicule several persons of note in the ministry and the parliament: La Mère Coupable, which is often given, is the sequel to Le Mariage de Figaro, as that piece is to Le Barbier de Seville. [Return to text]
[LETTER LIV.]
Paris, January 20, 1802.
Let us now examine the merits of the principal performers belonging to the Théâtre Français.
TRAGEDY.
Noble Fathers, or characters of Kings.
VANHOVE, MONVEL, ST. PRIX, and NAUDET.