1694.] "TARTUFFE." 325 



The numerous party of the pretended devotees 

 mustered in the streets and public places, and 

 presently made their way into the houses, to con- 

 firm the weak-minded in their illusion, and tried to 

 make the stronger share it ; but, as they failed in 

 this almost completely, they resolved at last to con- 

 quer or die, and persuaded the bishop to use a 

 strange device, which was to publish a mandate in 

 the church, whereby the Sieur de Mareuil, a half- 

 pay lieutenant, was interdicted the use of the 

 sacraments." ! 



This story needs explanation. Not only had 

 the amateur actors at the chateau played two pieces 

 inoffensive enough in themselves, but a report had 

 been spread that they meant next to perform the 

 famous " Tartuffe " of Moliere, a satire which, while 

 purporting to be levelled against falsehood, lust, 

 greed, and ambition, covered with a mask of religion, 

 was rightly thought by a portion of the clergy to be 

 levelled against themselves. The friends of Fron- 

 tenac say that the report was a hoax. Be this as 

 it may, the bishop believed it. " This worthy prel- 

 ate," continues the irreverent La Motte, " was 

 afraid of i Tartuffe,' and had got it into his head that 

 the count meant to have it played, though he had 

 never thought of such a thing. Monsieur cle Saint- 

 Vallier sweated blood and water to stop a torrent 

 which existed only in his imagination." It was 

 now that he launched his two mandates, both on 

 the same day ; one denouncing comedies in general 

 and " Tartuffe " in particular, and the other smiting 



1 La Motte- Cadillac a , 28 Sept., 1694. 



