Louis XVI. and his family fled from Paris on the 28th June, 1791. The next day, and before the king was brought back to the Tuileries, the title of the chief lyric theatre was changed, and from the "Académie _Royale_" became simply the "Opera." At the same time the custom was introduced of announcing the performers' names, which was evidently an advantage for the public, and which was also not without its benefit, for the inferior singers and dancers who, when they unexpectedly made their appearance to replace their betters, used often to get hissed in a manner which their own simple want of merit scarcely justified. "_Est ce que je savais qu'on làcherait le Ponthieu?_" exclaimed an unhappy ticket-seller one evening, when an indignant amateur rushed out of the theatre and began to cane the recipient of his ill-spent money. We may fancy how Ponthieu himself must have been received inside the house. * * * * * [Sidenote: MARIE ANTOINETTE.] By an order of the Committee of Public Safety, dated the 16th of the September following, the title of the Opera was again changed to _Académie Royale de Musique_. This was intended as a compliment to the king, who had signed the Constitution on the 14th, and who was to go to the Opera six days afterwards. On the 20th the royal visit took place. "_Castor and Pollux_ was played," says M. Castil Blaze, "and not _Iphigénie en Aulide_, as is asserted by some ill-informed historians, who even go so far as to pretend that the chorus _Chantons, célébrons notre reine_ was, as on another occasion, hailed with transports of enthusiasm, and that the public called for it a second time. The house was well filled, but not crammed[68] (_comble_), as is proved by the amount of the receipts--6,686 livres, 15 sous. The same opera of Rameau's, vamped by Candeille, had produced 6,857 livres on the 14th of the preceding June. The representation of _Castor and Pollux_ in presence of the royal family took place on Tuesday the 20th September, and not on the 21st, the Wednesday, at that time, not being an opera night. On the 19th, Monday, the people had assisted at a _special performance_ of the same work given, gratuitously, in honour of the Constitution. The Royalists were present in great numbers at the representation of the 20th September, and some lines which could be applied to the Queen were loudly applauded. Marie-Antoinette was delighted, and said to the ladies who accompanied her, "You see that the people is really good, and wishes only to love us." Encouraged by so flattering a reception, she determined to go the next night to the Opéra Comique, but the king refused to accompany her. The piece performed was _Les Evénements imprévus_. In the duet of the second act, before singing the words "_Ah comme j'aime ma maitresse_" Madame Dugazon looked towards the Queen, when a number of voices cried out from the pit, _Plus de maitresse! Plus de maitre! Vive la liberté!_ This cry was