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in a quite different way.-This, gentlemen (I went on), that is shattered quite up to the head, was bestowed on Booth, representing Pyrrhus, in the Distressed Mother. These knotted crab-sticks flew in applauding the romantic delicacy of the Conscious Lovers; and these, the truly feminine sweetness and heroic resignation of Jane Gray. Yon two large faggots, labelled Shakspeare and Jonson, are the collections of several years; and, what is remarkable, there is not one serviceable stick among them. These two enabled me to do justice to Mariamne; and these four lasted me pretty well through the first appearance of the Provoked Husband. This I began to exercise on the Beggar's Opera; but when the nobility filled the stage, I left the gallery. With this I disciplined Mrs. Oldfield, in Sophonisba; and with its fellow, both of the same growth, Mrs. Porter, in Eurydice. The rest are miscellaneous, and they belong, some to authors, some to performers; but (to deal ingenuously) are little the worse for wearing.-Ah! Gentlemen, 'twas with extreme regret I left my post; which, let me tell you, I filled with so much disinterestedness, that the less expense it put me to, the more I was displeased with it: in short, I never was so happy as when I had threshed away a

good substantial sapling to the size of a toothpicker. But when I found the office little better than a sine-cure, I made a matter of conscience of it, and(to the shame of my betters!) laid down: from which time the seat has continued vacant, few being ambitious of an employ that is both troublesome and expensive into the bargain. However, gentlemen, had I but the least hope, could I discover but the faintest glimmering, ever so remote, of a second dawn of genius on the stage, I would make no difficulty, old as I am, to lend a helping hand however. I remember my honoured friend, the original Spectator, speaking of me, is pleased to observe, 'that it is of great use to an audience for a person to preside over their heads, like the director of a concert, in order to awaken their attention, and beat time to their applause.'”— I was going on, Sir, with this speech, when one of those flashy young fellows who pique themselves on knowing the town, and who made one at my table on the credit of my long and intimate acquaintance with the good man his father, broke in upon me with a full tide of noisy loquacity, pretty much in the following phrase and manner:-" Why, look you, as to that, Old True-penny, you may save yourself the labour: that office, now, like many others, is wholly super

fluous and should you presume to lay about you as formerly with your impertinent cudgel, 'tis ten to one but you would be tossed over. I'd have you to know we have no need of any such prompter above stairs, to rap out a cue for us to thunder below; we are all become staunch critics, every man of us, look

you; and by a much easier receipt than ever was known to our fathers: for whereas they dared not open their mouths without Aristotle, Horace, or, at least, some modern Frenchman, for a second; a broad hat, a little wig, a close frock, and a good oaken plant, make the least of us more terrible to the stage than Dennis himself. Again, one Trunk-maker, forsooth, ruled the roast in those times; whereas, now-a-days, you would think the whole worshipful company was at work all round the house, pit, box, and gallery! Yes, we scorn to sneak into corners, or clamour only with the mob, but boldly press forward into the most distinguished places, and mingle with those of the best rank in the kingdom. I myself have led a party into the pit, that has had the honour to clear the whole stage before them, and all the boxes behind them. Then, as to the demolishment of cudgels, I made a purchase of half a hundred this very season; and though they proved to be as good stuff as ever was handled,

this is the last of them. In plain truth, we have raised the price of this sort of ware above five-and-twenty per cent. and I do not question, but, before the end of May, it will be hard to get a cudgel of any substance for love or money. But why do I talk of cudgels only? benches, sconces, every thing that we can lay our hands on, go to wreck, without fear of wit, when we have a mind to shew our plenitude of power. And let me see the manager who dares to say to the meanest of us, what doest thou ?"-Here, Sir, though not a little nettled all the while at his arrogant manner, I ventured to interpose:"But pray, young man, to answer what end is all this violence? Is it to banish folly, absurdity, self-conceit, indecorum, barbarism, or dulness, from the stage? Is it in behalf of any injured genius? Is it to revive departed wit? Is it to provoke ingenuous emulation? Is it to restore the lost importance, dignity, and majesty of the English theatre ?"-" Pshaw! (replies my spark) I don't know what you talk of: 'tis to restore king Harlequin."—" How! (said I, with a mixture of warmth and concern) is this all? Is it for this that the very temple of the Muses, as one may call it, is filled with noise and tumult? Is it for this that good-manners are forgotten, order violated, greatness insulted, and even

beauty frighted, where it ought to be adored? For shame! for shame! Though I am pleased to see you have power, though I should even recommend the exercise of it now and then, I would have it guided by discretion and propriety, and never employed to disturb, but polish and reform. You have now an opportunity to be instrumental in exalting the British stage to a rivalship with that at Athens. The opera (that syren enemy!) sleeps; the French inmates are returned home; all ranks and degrees of people shew a greater fondness for diversions of this kind than ever; and, on your evidence, they are better understood. Shall this great opportunity then be lost? Shall you manifest your power in clamour and tyranny only, regardless of justice and decency? Or in making it the tool of little factions behind the scenes, when it ought to discourage the least appearance of any such bar to your diversions? Shall it be said, the gentlemen critics of this age ruined the theatre, by their cabals in favour of a trifling harlequin, when even the ladies made contributions in honour of immortal Shakspeare?-You may shew your influence by this means, for what I can tell; but they, their understanding; and which conduct best deserves applause, I leave the world to judge."-Here, Sir, I paused; and the young

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