This house stands at the north-west angle of the _Palais du
Tribunat_. It is of an oval form, and contains three tiers of boxes,
exclusively of a large amphitheatre. Before the revolution, it bore
the name of _Théâtre des Petits Comédiens du Comte de Beaujolais_,
and was famous for the novelty of the spectacle here given. Young
girls and boys represented little comedies and comic operas in the
following manner. Some gesticulated on the stage; while others,
placed in the side-scenes, spoke or sang their parts without being
seen. It was impossible to withhold one's admiration from the perfect
harmony between the motions of the one and the speaking and singing
of the other. In short, this double acting was executed with such
precision that few strangers detected the deception.
To these actors succeeded full-grown performers, who have since
continued to play interludes of almost every description. Indeed,
this theatre is the receptacle of all the nonsense imaginable;
nothing is too absurd or too low for its stage. Here are collected
all the trivial expressions to be met with in this great city,
whether made use of in the markets, gaming-houses, taverns, or
dancing-rooms.
CAROLINE and BRUNET, or BRUNET and CAROLINE. They are like two
planets, round which move a great number of satellites, some more
imperceptible than others. If to these we add TIERCELIN, an actor of
the grotesque species, little more is to be said. Were it not for
BRUNET, who makes the most of his comic humour, in playing all sorts
of low characters, and sometimes in a manner truly original, and
Mademoiselle CAROLINE, whose clear, flexible, and sonorous voice
insures the success of several little operas, the _Théâtre
Montansier_ would not be able to maintain its ground, notwithstanding
the advantages of its centrical situation, and the attractions of its
lobby, where the impures of the environs exhibit themselves to no
small advantage, and literally carry all before them.
We now come to the theatres on the _Boulevard_, at the head of which
is to be placed