“10. To the actresses alone a half-hour’s grace is accorded, after which the fine they will have incurred shall be decided by themselves only. “A copy of these statutes will be given to each secretary, who shall be bound to fetch it to each rehearsal.” Madame de Pompadour was quite right in drawing up a severe code of regulations, for it is not an easy thing to establish discipline in a troupe composed of society people, where the intrigues of the courtier are added to the vanity of the actor. What petty jealousies, what mean vanities! What manœuvres to obtain this or that part, what solicitations and cabals to ensure merely a spectator’s place in the cœnaculum! Louis XV. occupied himself seriously with such trifles. The direction of this miniature theatre gave him no fewer cares than the government of France. He reserved to himself the right of selecting the spectators, and it was a signal favor to have been thus chosen. Notwithstanding their ardent desire to be among the privileged persons, neither Marshal de Noailles, the Duke de Gesores, nor the Prince de Conti were admitted to the opening of the theatre. It took place January 17, 1747. _Tartuffe_ was given. Madame de Pompadour played Dorine. The first theatrical season of the little cabinets lasted until March 17. After having secured applause as an actress in _Tartuffe_, _Les Trois Cousines_, and _Le Préjugé à la Mode_, the Marquise triumphed as a cantatrice in _Erigone_: “Madame de Pompadour sang very well,” says the Duke de Luynes; “her voice has not much volume, but a very agreeable sound; she knows music well and sings with much taste.” The second theatrical season lasted from December 20, 1747, to March 30, 1748. The first representation comprised a comedy, _Le Mariage fait et rompu_, and a pastoral, _Ismène_, the words by Moncrif. Voltaire’s _Enfant prodigue_ was given December 20, to the author’s great joy. Madame de Pompadour had promised Gresset to produce _Le Merchant_. She kept her word. The play required two months of study. It was given February 6, 1748, Madame de Pompadour playing Lisette. The Duke de Nivernais was excellent as Valère, and the Duke de Chartres took the part of Géronte. The grateful Gresset thanked the Marquise thus:-- “On ne trace que sur le sable La parole vague et peu stable De tous les seigneurs de la cour; Mais sur le bronze inaltérable Les Muses ont tracé le nom de Pompadour Et sa parole invariable.”[32] Pastorals, opera ballets, comedies, succeeded each other quickly. (The complete list may be found in the opuscule of M. Adolphe Julien.) The usual spectators were those of the actors and actresses who were not playing, Marshal Saxe, Marshal de Duras, all the ministers, President Hénault, the Abbé de Bernis. The King did not have a fauteuil. He sat in an ordinary chair and, according to the Duke de Luynes, he seemed to be amused.