Note 22 — Chapter 2 The Talk of Nurses and of Generals—False Position—Russian Encyclopaedists—Boredom—The Maids’ Room and the Servants’ Hall—Two Germans—Lessons and Reading—The Catechism and the Gospel

Le Mariage de Figaro, a satirical comedy by Beaumarchais (né Caron, 1732–1799), a watchmaker’s son, who rose to wealth and influence, and by his writings helped to bring about the Revolution. This play and an earlier one, Le Barbier de Séville, became popular all over Europe, but are now chiefly remembered through their adaptation to operas by Mozart and Rossini.—(Translator’s Note.)