As to the theatres, concerning which you interrogate me, I shall defer entering into any particular detail of them, till I have made myself fully acquainted with the attractions of each: this mode of proceeding will not occasion any material delay, as I generally visit one of them every evening, but always endeavour to go to that house where the _best_ performers are to be seen, in their _best_ characters, and in the _best_ pieces. I mention this, in order that you may not think me inattentive to your request, by having hitherto omitted to point out to you the difference between the theatrical amusements here under the monarchy, and those of the republic.
The _thèâtre des arts_ or grand French opera, the _opera buffa_ or Italian comic opera, the _théâtre Feydeau_ or French comic opera, and the _théâtre Français_, chiefly engage my attention. Yesterday evening I went to the last-mentioned theatre purposely to see Mademoiselle CONTAT, who played in both pieces. The first was _Les Femmes Savantes_, a comedy, in which Molière, wishing to aim a blow at female pedantry, has, perhaps, checked, in some French women, a desire for improvement; the second was _La fausse Agnès_, a laughable afterpiece. Notwithstanding the enormous _embonpoint_ which this celebrated comic actress has acquired since I saw her last on the Parisian stage upwards of ten years ago, she acquitted herself with her accustomed excellence. I happened to sit next to a very warm admirer of her superior talents, who told me that, bulky as she was become, he had been highly gratified in seeing her perform at _Rouen_ not long since, in her favourite character of _Roxalane_, in _Les Trois Sultanes_. "She was much applauded, no doubt." observed I. --"Not at all," replied he, "for the crowd was so great, that in no part of the house was it possible for a man to use his hands."
On reaching Paris, every person, whether Jew or Gentile, foreigner or not, coming from any department of the republic, except that of _La Seine_, in which the capital is situated, is now bound to make his appearance at the _Préfecture de Police_.
The new-comer, accompanied by two housekeepers, first repairs to the Police-office of the _arrondissement_, or district, in which he has taken up his residence, where he delivers his travelling passport; in lieu of which he receives a sort of certificate, and then he shews himself at the _Préfecture de Police_, or General Police-office, at present established in the _Cité_.