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the 18th August Jules Janin, the all-powerful critic of the Débats, came back from Italy. Accounts differ very considerably as to the first visit to the Théâtre Français after his return. Édouard Thierry tells us it was Ricourt who first persuaded him to go and see Rachel. Védel declares that he himself went and called on the great man, and begged him to do what he could for the young actress; while Véron says Janin was actually sitting in the Place Royale, when he, hearing he was there, rushed out, and, seizing hold of him, said:

"Why are you not in the theatre?"

"I detest Turkish baths."

"Then you don't know what is taking place?"

"No; what is it?"

"Duchesnois and Rancourt are arisen from the dead."

"For what purpose?"

"Follow me, and you can judge for yourself."

Whatever may be the true story, on the 4th September Janin saw Rachel in Les Horaces. The theatre