[160] Hawkins, "The French Stage in the Eighteenth Century," i. 375.
[161] If Marmontel and Bachaumont are to be believed, this inspiration was as often as not aided by wine, and a servant, glass and bottle in hand, was always in attendance in the wings.
[162] Edmond de Goncourt, Mademoiselle Clairon, p. 134.
[163] See p. 334 infra.
[164] See p. 322 infra.
[165] "Journal et Mémoires," ii. 33.
[166] In Le Franc de Pompignan's Didon.
[167] Madame Vestris, when a girl, was taken to visit Mlle. Clairon, who appeared to her "a little woman about forty years of age, who had once been pretty." Some days later, she went to the Comédie-Française to witness a performance of Andromaque, and, when she saw the celebrated actress in the part of Hermione, cried in astonishment: "That is not Mlle. Clairon!" She was assured that it was, but flatly refused to believe, saying: "See how tall that actress is! I have seen Mlle. Clairon at her house; she is a very little woman." It was Mlle. Clairon none the less.—Edmond de Goncourt, Mademoiselle Clairon, p. 171.
[168] "Private Correspondence of David Garrick," i. 356.
[169] "Private Correspondence of David Garrick," ii. 359.