PERSONNAGES

2 1 — Gêronte (Greek 7 spuv) : Old man. This name is

often given to the fathers in the French comedy. At first the Gérontes , as one can see in the “ Menteur,” had nothing ridiculous ; but they became soon on the comic scene the personification of stinginess, stubbornness, and credulity. Rotrou in his comedy of “ La Sœur généreuse ” (1645) introduces a Géronte who is the sport of a skilful valet; but it is Molière who has given to that personage his typical character, first in his ‘ ‘ Médecin malgré lui” (1666),thenin his “Fourberies deScapin” (1671). Regnard has also introduced a Géronte in his “Joueur,” in “Le Retour imprévu” and “Le légateur universel.” Molière and Du Croisy hâve excelled in acting the part of Géronte. Grandmesnil, Bonneval, De Vigny et Provost, &c., hâve also been very famous in the same parts.

2 7 — Isabelle : This name has been frequently given to

the amoureuses on the French stage, very likely on account of a clever actress, Isabelle Andreini, who had great success in Paris in 1578. Jouer les lsabelles means to act the part of amoureuses , sometimes also of soubrettes and colombines.

2 2 — Cliton : Name frequently given on the French

stage to a skilful and clever valet of comedy, the ancestor of the modem Figaros.

In the original cast Géronte’s part was # acted by Bellerose, Alcippe’s by Beauchateau,

# and Cliton’s b y the celebrated Jodelet.

Page 2 line 11—1 The scene is in Paris, in tbe first act in tbo Tuiler^s? i^cid in the four others at La Place Boyak,