Under the old _régime_, nothing like this number was ever known. Such an almost incredible variety of amusements is really a phenomenon, in the midst of a war, unexampled in its consumption of blood and treasure, It proves that, whatever may have been the public distress, there was at least a great _show_ of private opulence. Indeed I have been informed that, at the period alluded to, a spirit of indifference, prodigality, and dissipation, seemed to pervade every class of society. Whether placed at the bottom or the top of Fortune's wheel, a thirst of gain and want of economy were alike conspicuous among all ranks of people. Those who strained every nerve to obtain riches, squandered them with equal profusion. No human beings on earth can be more fond of diversion than the Parisians. Like the Romans of old, they are content if they have but _panem et circenses_, which a Frenchman would render by _spectacles et de quoi manger_. However divided its inhabitants may be on political subjects, on the score of amusement at least the Republic is one and indivisible. In times of the greatest scarcity, many a person went dinnerless to the theatre, eating whatever scrap he could procure, and consoling himself by the idea of being amused for the evening, and at the same time saving at home the expense of fire and candle. The following list of public places, which I have transcribed for your satisfaction, was communicated to me by a person of veracity; and, as far as it goes, its correctness has been confirmed by my own observation. Although it falls short of the number existing here two years ago, it will enable you to judge of the ardour still prevalent among the Parisians, for "running at the ring of pleasure." Few of these places are shut up, except for the winter; and new ones succeed almost daily to those which are finally closed. However, for the sake of perspicuity, I shall annex the letter S to such as are intended chiefly for summer amusement. 1. _Théâtre des Arts, Rue de la Loi_. 2. _------- Français, Rue de la Loi._ 3. _------- Feydeau, Rue Feydeau._ 4. _------- Louvois, Rue de Louvois._ 5. _------- Favart,_ now _Opéra Buffa._ 6. _------- de la Porte St. Martin._ 7. _------- de la Société Olympique_ (late _Opéra Buffa.)_ 8. _------- du Vaudeville, Rue de Chartres._ 9. _------- Montansier, Palais du Tribunat._ 10. _------- de l'Ambigu Comique, Boulevard du Temple._ 11. _------- de la Gaiété, Boulevard du Temple._ 12. _------- des Jeunes Artistes, Boulevard St. Martin._ 13. _------- des Jeunes Elèves, Rue de Thionville._ 14. _------- des Délassemens Comiques, Boulevard du Temple._ 15. _------- sans Prétension, Boulevard du Temple._ 16. _------- du Marais, Rue Culture Ste. Catherine._ 17. _------- de la Cité, vis-à-vis le Palais de Justice._ 18. _------- des Victoires, Rue du Bacq._ 19. _------- de Molière, Rue St. Martin._ 20. _------- de l'Estrapade._ 21. _------- de Mareux, Rue St. Antoine._