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

useless, nor are the terms superfluous: furthermore, I am not speaking to "strong spirits" like you, Gentlemen; to sublime geniuses like you, Gentlemen; to people who doubt nothing like you, Gentlemen. But I am addressing the Gentlemen of the Chamber An administrative body overseeing royal entertainments., who are your superiors, and who are at the same time jealous of the public esteem, and I speak to them in the name of everyone: I am here, properly speaking, only acting as an interpreter for the Public, of whom Monsieur de Malesherbes French statesman and censor has said:

"Of that Public which judges magistrates, which judges ministers; of which there is no power on earth that does not ambition its suffrage, etc." Discourse on acceptance into the French Academy.

And I dare to boast of being one of the most faithful editors of his thoughts; consequently, I must explain myself thus: let us enter into the matter.

The spectacles existing at the moment I write, Madame, are the Opera, the French, the Italians, Nicolet, and Audinot. As for the first, it is marvelous, especially since the illustrious Chevalier Gluck Christoph Willibald Gluck, famous composer has had his works performed there: but many people do not like to see Heroes who kill themselves while singing; Angels and Demons capering together; dances at every turn and without reason, etc. St. Evremont Charles de Saint-Évremond, French soldier and literary critic has said enough about this monstrous assemblage: the Reader may consult him. I will only report to you