Of Clairon, in _Iphigenie_,
he says "she is extremely great. Would to God you had one or two
like her. What a luxury to see you with one of such power in the same
interesting scene! But 'tis too much." Again he writes: "The French
comedy I seldom visit; they act scarce anything but tragedies; and the
Clairon is great, and Mdlle. Dumesmil in some parts still greater than
her. Yet I cannot bear preaching--I fancy I got a surfeit of it in my
younger days." And in a later letter:
"After a vile suspension of three weeks, we are beginning with
our comedies and operas. Yours I hear never flourished more; here
the comic actors were never so low; the tragedians hold up their
heads in all senses. I have known _one little man_ support the theatrical
world like a David Atlas upon his shoulders, but Preville can't
do half as much here, though Mad. Clairon stands by him and sets
her back to his. She is very great, however, and highly improved
since you saw her. She also supports her dignity at table, and has
her public day every Thursday, when she gives to eat (as they say
here) to all that are hungry and dry. You are much talked of here,
and much expected, as soon as the peace will let you.
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