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

Audinot, two thousand each: in total, sixteen thousand. Based on this calculation, which is accurate, and the reasoning, which is true, there is a large number of citizens without seats, and thus without occupation. For lack of spectacles, they try to procure others for themselves. Indeed, part of the youth goes to gambling academies original: "Académies de Jeux", the other to academies of love; from there come disputes, quarrels, and fights. Finally, as a last misfortune, comes the ruin of the soul, the body, and the purse. This consequence is perhaps singular, but it is only too true. Alas, how many only sons, cut down in the flower of their youth, might exist today; who would fulfill the wishes of their families, and who would be the glory of the nation! All this disorder comes from the lack of spectacles. If there were once again as many, the six theatres would be filled, good order would reign, and my fellow citizens would all be content. Another advantage, Madame: if there were different French theatres for declamation, singing, and dancing, authors would be better rewarded for their labors

• I knew a respectable woman who wanted her son to go to the comedy every day and gave him money for this purpose. Since the two companies of Musketeers have had actors in their retinue, there have been neither games nor swordfights on their travels.