Letter to the Countess of T. on a Second French Theater in Paris

among themselves, far from harming one another, provide each other with assistance, if not profit, through the desire that all actors must have to perform better in order to win the approval of a public always hungry for the best. For without emulation, there is no perfection in any art or trade. Now, there cannot be emulation, Madame, when there do not exist various persons of the same status, talent, or profession. We have spoken in terms of politics; let us now speak as a physicist In the 18th century, "physicien" often referred to a student of natural philosophy or one who understands the mechanics of human nature..

Relaxation and dissipation are needs as real, and often as necessary to our health and the preservation of our individual self, as eating, drinking, and sleeping. This maxim being established and confirmed by experience, we must seek pleasure and flee boredom. I repeat: to this end, we need several spectacles. "Several spectacles?" one will say to me, "Three are sufficient, and even that is too many." I, a lowly reasoner and weak politician, claim that six theatres would not satisfy the public. I do more: I shall prove it. Lend me all your attention, Madame.

There are in this capital at least five hundred thousand souls who come to the Temple of Thalia or Melpomene The Muses of Comedy and Tragedy, respectively.. Our three performance halls can contain only four thousand each, and that is a generous estimate; that makes twelve thousand. NICOLET,