to the door, and, with
great indignation, replied, his comedy should not be read to
card-players. This incident was brought on the stage by _Poincinet_, in
his comedy of the _Cercle_.

* * * * *

Boyer, a French dramatic author, had been fifty years writing and never
successfully. That he might prove whether his condemnation might not be
imputed to the prejudice of the pit, he gave it to be understood that
the new tragedy of Agamemnon was the production of _Pader D'Assezan_, a
young man newly arrived at Paris. The piece was received with general
applause, and Racine himself, the great scourge of _Boyer_, declared in
favour of the new author. "And yet it is by _Boyer, Mons. de Racine_"
exclaimed _Boyer_ himself, from the pit. Imprudent man! The next day the
tragedy was hissed.

When _Dancourt_ gave a new piece, if it were unsuccessful, to console
himself he was accustomed to go and sup with two or three of his
friends, at the sign of the Bagpipes kept by _Cheret_. One morning,
after the rehearsal of his comedy called the _Agioteurs_, or
Stock-brokers, which was to be performed, for the first time, that
evening, he asked one of his daughters, not ten years of age, how she
liked the piece? "Ah, papa," said the girl, "you'll go tonight and sup
at the sign of the Bagpipes."

* * * * *

It is a common practice in Paris, to read new theatrical pieces in
private assemblies, where they are supposed to undergo a kind of primary
ordeal, and over each of which a lady always presides. A tragedy called
_Alzaide_ by _Linant_, had been read at one of those societies, and
obtained great praise; however, it had no success on the stage, which
greatly afflicted this previous tribunal. Being assembled the day after
its performance, there was a general silence; but the lady, who had
first given her favourable suffrage, spoke at length and said--"The
piece, however, was not hissed." "How the deuce could it?" replied a
stranger, who happened to be present; "people cannot gape and hiss both
at once."

* * * * *

A bad French actor, having taken disgust at the reception he had met
with and quitted the stage, being soon afterward at Versailles, was met
by some young noblemen, who knew him, and who asked him what good news
he brought from Paris? "None," replied he, "for my part, I have taken
leave of the public. I am now no longer an actor." "Oh,