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The Abbé S*** of Paris, a very learned man, but who had passed almost his whole life in his study and in the school-room, conceived, at the age of seventy, an irresistible desire to see a play. He had often observed to his friends that he must go to the theatre before he died, that he might be able to form an adequate notion of a matter which furnished so fertile a subject of conversation in every company; but they always supposed that the old man was in joke.

The Abbé had for many years carefully preserved an old-fashioned dress which had belonged to his grandmother. His valet frequently asked him why he kept such old trumpery, and his reply always was, "Who can tell whether it may not one day be useful for some purpose or other?"

At length the Abbé found it impossible to withstand his desire any longer, and told his old servant that he was determined to go to the theatre; and that he might not be recognised, he meant to put on his grandmother's suit.