Gazetier cuirassé
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Le Gazetier Cuirassé ou Anecdotes scandaleuses de la Cour de France is an anomously published "libelle" by French writer Charles Théveneau de Morande in 1771. The work was followed by two sequels, the Philosophe cynique and Mélanges confus sur des matières fort claires. It carries the mention Publié à cent lieues de la Bastille - for London - and features an epigraph by Boileau :
- Nous autres satiriques,
- Propres à relever les sottises du temps ;
- Nous sommes un peu né pour être mécontents.
Contents
This pamphlet is one of the great success of the underground literature of the late eighteenth century. Denounced of "ministerial despotism", it is full of anecdotes about the alleged excesses and scandals of the nobility. It offers an image of a decadent kingdom in crisis. Catalog of insulted people includes the king and Madame du Barry, his favorite targets remain the Chancellor Maupeou and the Duke of Vrillière whose caricature adorn the frontispiece. This leaflet of blackmail and catalog of vices of the time was denounced by Voltaire, and is a landmark in its violence.