ARNAL, ETIENNE (1794-1872), French comedian. was born at Meulan, Seine-et-Oise, on Feb. 1, 1794. After serving in the army, and working in a button factory, he took to the stage. His first appearance (181 5) was in tragedy, and for some time he was unsuccessful; it was not until 1827 that he showed his real ability in comedy parts, especially in plays by Felix August Davert (1795-1876) and Augustin Theodore Lauzanne (1805 77), whose Cabinets particuliers (1832), Le Atari de la dame de choeurs (5837), Passé minuet, L'Homme blasé (1843), La Clef dans le dos (1848), etc., contained parts written for him. He was 20 years in vaudeville, and completed at the various Parisian theatres a stage career of nearly half a century, retiring in 1863. He was also a charming poet, the author of Epitre a bou ff e (1840) ; Les Gendarmes (1826) ; Les Acteurs et les Pretres (1831) ; and Boutades en vers 0860. He died in Geneva in 1872.