Letter from Thomas Isted to Mr Wanly att University College in Oxford, 5^th March 1697

He has received the private visits of most of the nobility, and been splendidly entertained by them: here was a great deal of merriment here, during the Carnival; some of the Nobility giving every night, Balls, Masques and such like diversions; and on Shrove Tuesday which ended that solemnity, you might see the ordinary sort of people, dancing about the Streets, in all the antick postures and dresses imaginable, accompanyed with Hautbois, Violins, and all sorts of instruments: the humour of the French is really odd in this respect; to see them set all the mirth, entravaganig, and vitious wits possible over night, and the next morning altogether, mortified priding themselves in nothing but their dust and ashes; which the King himself receives yearly from his confssour. I have been att several of their comedies, and Tragedies, which come for Short of ours, they having no Songs, dances, or variety of Scenes, the Actors are generally in the Same to me, wanting due passion and motion; they have very little to set them of but their fine clothes, which are extraordinary rich and without deceit: Their Operas much surpass ours, both in their clothes, scenes, singing, dancing, Musique the last of which is really incomparable; and has made me wish for your company here, knowing you to be a very good judge, and much delighted with it; The Italians who were very excellent this way, were banished Paris, for representing in their Operas the amours of the King with Madam Maintenon; which has deprived this city of a great pleasure, but it is dulted, as if the King will give them permission to reside here again.