a

from the pit; he glanced at it, and, as it is supposed, found it not to be friendly, for he blushed, and huddled it into his pocket. The audience singled him out as the object of their peculiar disapprobation, and in the entire second act, stood

up with their backs turned to him. Indeed, through the whole play, they kept a standing position on the benches, with their hats on. A candle was thrown at Mr. Liston, during the performance of the “ Quaker."

When the magistrates appeared, the indignant cries of “ No police in a Theatre” induced those ill-advised men to make their congés, and retire. Constables attempted to clear the pit and galleries; in the former they met with opposition, and evasion in the latter; the tenants of the upper gallery dropping themselves quietly into the under.

By degrees, the uproar subsided into the loyal effusion of “God Save the King," when those who remained, retired, and the house was cleared at half-past twelve.

The above concise detail of the tumult that occurred on the first night of the re-opening of Covent Garden Theatre, may be taken as a fair sample of the diversions practised therein for

34

oroug Ir. K ustan n the Lumb here allen leligh Charl ying

The che en dumb The w • Afti their s forwai conde

sixty-six nights in succession, when peace was proclaimed by both public and managers; both. parties agreeing to the reduction of the pit-price from 4s. to 3s. 6d. the advancement of the boxes from 6s. to 7s. and the reduction in point of number of the private boxes, together with the non-engagement of Madame Catalani.

During this “ Theatric War," it may be guessed the wits were not backward in showering down their lampoons on the hapless managers. Kemble, of course, came in for his full share of pasquinades, some of which are certainly worthy of being treasured here ; from which we select the two following.

SOLILOQUY OF THE MOOR Of Covent GARDEN.

I had been happy if th’ united House,
Pit, galleries, and boxes,—all had paid
Their money cheerily, and riot we had none.
Oh! now for ever farewell, ambitiou's hope !
Farewell applause! and side-long glances
From the boxes, thro' the sticks of fan,
Or from behind the kerchief-veiled face.
Farewell our golden hopes of swelling bags,
And long account at banker's.
Farewell, ye wanton toys of feather'd Cupid
In th' anti-chambers of the private annuals !
Hark! the loud twanging of the bugle-horn,

AND THEATRICALS.

287

Th' ear-piercing whistle, and terrific bell,
The plaguy placard, drum, and deafʼning rattle ;
The voice Stentorian, and the serpent's hiss !
Sibilant !-all, all awake me
From dreams delusive of eternal triumph!

And ye, ye catcalls, of infernal sound,
Whose barbarous sounds might even split the ears
Of Belzebub himself,

:--cease your horrific din.
No more the valiant Dan, with host of Israel,
Flank'd and supported by the Bow-street tribe
Of myrmidons, and bruisers squaring in the pit ;-
No more the phalanx dares to face the town.
O'erwhelm'd by numbers and determin’d hate ;
No more the orders in the boxes now
Support the managers,—but placards wave,
And O. P's. shine from every box !_initials hateful:
All, all, our efforts are in vain, and fate decides
By the loud voice of the people,-irresistible,
That prices be reduced, and privacies
Thrown open.-
Farewell,- Othello's occupation's gone !

288

THEATRES AND THEATRICALS.

Then, if I to the stage belong,
0! let me sing the charms of song,

Of Billington and Braham !
In vain, again my wishes fail,
I sing of nought but heavy bail,

Of Townsend and of Graham.

The soul of harmony is dead,
And vilest discord reigns instead,

With rioting and battles.
To shrieking owls are turn'd my doves,
To 0.P. men the little loves :

My lyre to horns and rattles.

THE UNSUCCESSFUL GHOST. An unfortunate débutant who made his appearance as the Ghost, in “ Hamlet,” was so rudely treated by the audience, that, in the midst of the scene, he took off his visor, and put the audience in perfect good humour by saying, “ Ladies and Gentlemen, it was my hope to please you; if I have failed, I must give up the Ghost.”