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Description
[LITERATURE]
ROUSSEAU (Jean-Jacques)
J.J. Rousseau, Citizen of Geneva, to Mr d’Alembert, concerning his article on Geneva in Volume VII of the Encyclopédie, and in particular regarding the proposal to establish a theatre for comedy in that city.
Amsterdam. Published by Marc Michel Rey, 1759.
In-12°. Full binding. Smooth spine, decorated with gilt metalwork and fleurons.
XIV (Preface), 232 pages.
The ‘Letter to d’Alembert on the Theatres’ is the response published by Jean-Jacques Rousseau in 1758 in reaction to d’Alembert’s article on ‘Geneva’ published in Volume VII of the Encyclopédie.
The article paints a rather positive picture of Geneva’s political organisation. The most extensively discussed section concerns religion, where d’Alembert emphasises the religious tolerance of the pastors, which has taken precedence over Calvinist dogmatism. He even considers that Christianity in Geneva is close to deism. On the other hand, he deplores the maintenance of a moral rigour that prohibits all theatrical performances.
Rousseau’s response:
Rousseau does not dwell on the religious question.
After criticising actors, whose role in performance would incline them more towards lies than virtue, Rousseau appeals to the youth of Geneva, urging them to oppose the establishment of a theatre, thereby preventing the city’s resources from being squandered on futile and dangerous diversions. Rousseau also addresses the question of whether the theatre is beneficial or reprehensible in relation to public morals. The immorality of the theatre is demonstrated by examples: the virtuous Alceste is ridiculed; Voltaire and Crébillon portray criminals who go unpunished; Racine and Corneille depict passion and madness.
The work was a publishing success, as Rey had to produce a second edition as early as the beginning of 1759.
The volume presented here is part of that reissue.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
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