It has preserved its courteous and modest dignity, its habits of polite neutrality, the suavity and equality of the relations between its members.

It was said just now that Richelieu's work no longer existed save in history, and that revolutions have left him nothing but his glory; but that was a mistake: the French Academy is still standing, stronger and freer than at its birth, and it was founded by Richelieu, and has never forgotten him.
Amongst the earliest members of the Academy the cardinal had placed his most habitual and most intimate literary servants, Bois-Robert, Desmarets, Colletet, all writers for the theatre, employed by Richelieu in his own dramatic attempts.

Theatrical representations were the only pleasure the minister enjoyed, in accord with the public of his day.

He had everywhere encouraged this taste, supporting with marked favor, Hardy and the _Theatre Parisien_.

With his mind constantly exercised by the wants of the government, he soon sought in the theatre a means of acting upon the masses.