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

spectacles. For there is nothing more harmful to any state whatsoever than to limit genius, narrow the human spirit, burden industry, and deprive the public of new pleasures. It has been said before me—may Heaven grant that it no longer be said after me—it is the French Columella A reference to the Roman writer on agriculture, used here to denote an expert on national cultivation., it is the friend of men; in a word, it is the Marquis de Mirabeau who expresses himself thus: "All these exclusive privileges are so many attacks made upon civil society." Indeed, why are there many tennis courts and noble billiard halls, yet only two spectacles? Furthermore, why does the Prince have the kindness to have a spectacle hall built at his own expense, as if it were a circus for the nation, where all citizens, divided by classes, would be admitted for free original: "gratis" to the games celebrated there, in the manner of the Romans, where army generals and dictators provided festivals for the Senate and the People at their own expense? On the contrary, in our day in France, there are no more tournaments or carousels; and the nobleman or commoner attends our spectacles only by paying very dearly for his seat. Following these reflections that the love of the public good suggests to me, it is evident, Madame, that the Prince ought to permit the actors