Nadar Elevating Photography to Art

Robert Macaire bookseller. Ladies and gentlemen, would there be anyone in this pleasant place who'd like to make himself a nice little income, without difficulty and without working?... If there is someone he should stock my primers... You don't have to be a bookseller to be a specialist in this trade, you don't even have to know how to read, quite the contrary!... You only have to pay me a deposit... The bigger the better, as the saying goes.

Un Guichet de théatre.

The Chevalier des Adrets is the lover of a woman of the world. He is amiable and fervent, he pretends to be passionate and devoted... one day, an alleged bailiff and an alleged bill of exchange fall like a clap of thunder into the midst of the most tender effusion of feeling... "Oh! My God!! The Baron de Wormspire, a so-called friend, has had the impudence to have me thrown into prison... He's ruined my good fortune, separated me from what I love! Oh! Friends!! What are friends?... There's no such thing as a friend!!!..." The poor woman, poor dupe, casts off her jewels, gives him everything she can, borrows, ruins herself, only to discover too late that her knight is only a knight of industry, a right Robert Macaire.

Croquade Divers

The Absent-Minded. This artist, after having been to the Salon, is seized by a sublime inspiration and approaches his canvas. All of a sudden, tones of music, the most piquant effect the most delicate touch promising a masterpiece. 2, 3, 4 hours gone by and something as appealing as a Titian, Michelangelo is left to posterity..... Afterwards, once his excitement has subsided, he realizes..... he had forgotten to use the brush.

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

Yes my uncle, my virtuous uncle, I was a spendthrift, gambler, seducer, I had many faults, in a word I was frivolous... but you're ill, very ill, the doctors have abandoned you... I've come to aid you, to fall at your feet, I'll swear... anything you like... I'll only leave you at death, my kind uncle, my so excellent uncle! Let's embrace and put an end to it. (Macaire, sole inheritor, has his dear uncle thrown into a common pit).

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

The clipper of dogs. Poor dear animal, what a patience! One might almost swear he is an angel of God. Much more so than my scoundrel of a husband who curses every time he goes to the wig-maker.

The Grand Stairway of the Palais de Justice

The Comedians from the Province. - Can you imagine, my dear, these barbarians were hissing during my performance in "Cinna"; and you have seen me in "Cinna". - Yes, I flatter myself having seen you, but you must understand that these provincials are utter simpletons. Once you have your debut at the Theatre Français, you'll be seeing Mr. J.J. who will pamper you, you'll be asking 100'000 francs annual salary, and they'll applaud you... how can you possibly succeed with 1'500 francs at the Beauvais... you fool!