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

Taureau original: "Combat du Taureau" (*), will be our ancient Opéra Comique, under the name of the Comedians of Monseigneur the Count of Artois, if H.R.H. finds it suitable: there is no doubt that two Princes so studious, so protective of talents, and friends of the fine Arts, will yield to the general outcry, and will contribute to the glory of the Nation by executing my project.

I have reserved for myself, as you have seen, Madame, to speak to you about our ancient Opéra Comique, of which Fontenelle said, I believe, that it was the Salt-Granary original: "Grenier à sel", and which a sensible Public always regrets. Monsieur the Abbé Voisenon has confided to me more than once that his wishes were limited, and his Writings tended only, toward the return of this Spectacle: that this was even the subject of most of the speeches he read at the Sessions of the French Academy. Let us continue. The Vaudevilles light, satirical songs amused all of Paris; gaiety is the element of the French. The Parisian, above all, gay and lively, has seen only with regret the suppression of his ancient Opéra Comique, which took birth among him: for I do not speak of the new one, which is composed only of Piéces à Ariettes plays with arias, of Piéces à beaux sentimens plays with noble sentiments, and of

(*) The seats will only be 3 livres pounds for the first-class, 2 livres for the second-class and the parquet, and 24 sols sous for the third-class: no Pit.