The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1809-10-02 00:00:00

THEATRICAL Rum

The tillowing account of a riet in the Theatre-
Royal. Dublin, in the year 1746, daring the insuage-
Meiit of the late Mr. Sheridan, will be found inte-
resting, at this.paeticithir time. The author of the
work from which it is extracted, after giving au
account of the lob:real I:economy. of the House,
thus proceeds :
proposed several methods for the redressing
grievances, winch were all objected to by the sna-
anger, as too ilesigerons to be executed in Uxlilia :
Hie common reply was, You forget yourself you
*kiosk yis are opt, English ;round. Thus it re-
-104111C,1, 110 the happy couseptetice of the accident
I sin going to relate, which caused an effectual
redress.

- -
SI A young eeitleman, on thelOth of J*11.1746-7,
went, saline-it with wine, to the pit (en indecency,
at that time, too frequent there), and, climbing
over the spikes on the stage, very coon made his
we; to the ;reen•roont, where he addressed one of
the aetrera•s is such indecent terms, aloud, as made
them all fly to their dressing-rooms. He. pursued
one of then thither, hut beteg repul►ed by the
dour, he made such a noise there, as disturbed the
business of the scenes. Miss Bellamy, whom he
pursued, was then wanted on the stage ; but could
not Mile out, for fear of this dragon. Mr. She-
ridan, who was then in the character of lEscip, went '
to the door, attended by the servants and a guard.
and ordered them to take that gentleman away,
and conduct him to the pit, from whence he came.
This was done without the 'rest bustle, or obstrue-
tie* on the part of the gentleman; but, when lie
armed in the pit, he took a basket from one of the
orange-women, and, when the Manager came on
the stage, be took the' best aim at him he could,
with the otaure, one of which taking place, the
actor edilressed the andienete which happened to
be but thin that night. for protection. As there
were some gentlemen in the pit, who were ac-
quaintril with the rioter, they stleiiced him, with
some difficulty, but not till several abusive name.
had paeied from him, such as scoundrel and ras-
cal. Awl Mr. Sheridan, who in general spoke with
great propriety, was so much disconcerted as to say,
lan as good a gentleman as yok are; and these
words were, the neat day, filtered thus, l sun as
goods gentleman as stay in the Rowse!
" After the Play, Obi young hero went out of the
pit, and found his way to Mr. Sheridan's dressing-
room ;` and there, to his face, before his servants,
tailed him the same abusive names. which of course
provoke! him to give some blows, which the gentle-
man took very patiently; and by means of another
falsehood (that Sheridan's servants in the room held
him, while their master beat hies) the club of his
companions, to whom he went that night with his
brok•wt note, Mod other grievances. were so ani-
mated and incensed, that 'scoundrel player should
obese.' gentkowai, that a pert) was direcly formed ;
a powerful fighting party ; and the next day all
persons were threatened openly in every coffee-
house, that dared to look as if they inclined to take
the part of Sheridan.
" Hie moot brieg on the hills some deysafter, to
perform the part of Horatio. several letters, cards,
and menniges, were sent to hint, warning him not
to leave his house that evening, and to take perti-
cellar eare to be well gitardel even there. He fol-
lowed that friendly advice; and +ikon Mr. Dyer
seem oil the e.tnu.• to apologise for his not perform-
ing the part. and to acquaint the audience with his
reaseus, that inetant, about fifty of toe party, with
the young hero at their head, rose iu the pit, and,
climbing over the spikes on the stage, ran directly
to the green-room, and from thence to all the
dressing-roans, broke open those that were locked,
ran up to the wardrobe, and tbrust their swords
into all the chests and fernier of clothes, by way
of feeling, they said, if Sheridan was concealed
there. After many of these violence% a party went
off to his house ; but, Mott fintliug he had pro-
vided for their receptiou, they thought proper to
retire.

" This traosaction was on a Thursday night; the
seat day was spent in furious punier, and violent
threatening% in all public places.
" I dare Nfiirm, that, within the month, the time
this dispute lasted, there were as many pamphlets
Published, as would make a large octavo volume.
fie whole city, nay, the whole kingdom, were
engaged in this quarrel. which not only threatened
the ruin of all whose bread was depeuaing on the
Theatre. but the lives and fortunes of many with-
out donra, who were so rash as to engage publicly
is the affair, which was nothing inure than the ho-
nour of an actor. But his cigar was a noble one,
a defence of tleeency. and the decorum of the
stage, in which he was ruppnrted by all persons of
worth and honour. and by the laws of hill country.
" On this occasion. a most noble spirit was
raised, end diffused throughout the city, I may
say the whole kingdom, with great rapidity. This
sp:rit first 'hewed itself at the represcutation of
the Tnitrily oP Rickard ills Third, advertised for
t::e Brit trial Play. after the grand riot; and as it
was the lint instance where the rights of the au-
dience and the duty and privileges of the actors
were freely asserted, it deserves particular relation
here.
" When the Play was advertised, loud menaces
were uttered against the Manager. and s general
declaration, , that he never should be permitted to
play, till he had made a proper subanision. But
the lovers of liberty and a free Theatre were not to
hr deprived of their favourite entertainment by the
capricious humour of, any set of men ; and as they
Linked upon thi se menacing dictates as so many
open insults to the laws and to the public. they
therefore resolved to oppose thew sous of riot and
revenge to the utmost. The chief inhabitants be-
gan, at this juncture, to ametuble, and resolved to
encourage and protect itte Manager. Several et..
tiaras, won seldom were seen in the Theatre, were
so trensiiile of time advantages and itnnortance of a
well-regulated stage, that they declared to Mr.
Sherisbin and his friends, that they would now,
mare than ever, appear there, and doubted not
being able to protect the Manager aud the Actors
is the discharge of their duty.
•• With assurances of to s kind, and a conscious-
ems of his being in the right, lolr.Sheridaa consented
to the performance of Richard. The house filled
fritter thaw until. There wet a considerable ap-
neerance of ruts-men, and citizens of etni-
retire, soil a. small number of the youths of thee'

University. 'Cherie were diapered throlgliont the
Theatre, hutchietly in the pa; yet, in inch a mats-
nen that those who lest knew their faces, could see
no room to suspect any time liken concerted assent.
Is!y, however they inight afterwards have been found
to agree in etintnents.
•• Whether the .7eutlesigen were acquainted with
thedisposition oldie audience or Dot, is am certain ;
but at will appear they were not prepared for the
reception winch their riotous preform's received.
They came to the house late, mid iu small. but.
well-known grouper, and placed theinselres. chiefly
in the brines. Their leaders either were not it
town, or hail ant time to collect themselves, and
settle their plan of operation.
" The play opened with great quietness, hut et the
latter end or the first act, when Richard appeared, a
ennfoseri noise was heard from different parts, but
chiefly from die boxes, of " Asubmission, n gab-
mission, off! dr! do-Mr. Mr. Sheridan advanced,
with respectful bows to the audience, but was pre-
ventedXpeaking, by louder mid more distinct sounds
of " No submission, so sulnaission;go on with the
Ploy."
It was in this conjuncture that a Cider's, then
well known ter his struggles for liherty in the city,
rose up in the pit, and asserted the rights of the au-
dience and the freedom of the stage. He expressed
his astonishment and deteheition of men's bringing
their private quarrels with Managers or players into
the theatre, and such he apprehended the present
ease to be ; but since the depute was introduced,
it must, like other disputes there. he determined by
the majority. lie repined every sober person iu
the house came to receive the eutertaiiimesit pro.
milted in the tells, fur *lnch he paid his money at
the door. The actors then, he observed, were. the
servants of the audience, and wider their protec-
tion during, that Iserfannatice ; amid he looked upon
every insnit or interruption given to them in the
discharge of their duty, as offered to the audience.
apprehended the matter is dispute was no
breach of the duty of the Manager or the actors, cog-
nisable by any persons present, but whether it was so,
or thought otherwise by the house, the question
[nigh' easily be determined. He, therefore, moved
--• That those who were for preserving the de-
cency and freedom of the stage, should distinguish
themselves by the holding np of their hands. Jude-
ing that wheat they should come to know their
numbers mud superiority, they would silence or turn
out their opponents.'
" He was heard with great respect, and sedated
with shouts of applause; but, on the division, the
numbers were so great against the rioters. and,
withal, appeared so animated foe action, that the
minority suddenly
in
off, and left the perform-
ance of that night in quiet.
The gentlemen were greatly incensed at this re-
pulse, and now they resolved upon further venge-
ance on the Manager, and all that dared protect
hint. He was now never to be permitted. on any
account, to perform again, and those who took
his part were doomed to destruction.
" There was au -annual play appointed before
this riot began, The Fait Penitent, for the benefit
of the Hospital for Incurables; anti the Governors,
who were all persons of C1)114.4111ellee, demanded
the performance of their benefit play. and sent the
Mauager word, who wits in perform the part of Ho.
ratio, that they would take upon them to deleaid
him )that night, resting rowed. no set of men
would oppose 14 chanty play, espevially as all the
ladies of quality exerted their interest, and were to
tumour it with their presence. The bills were ac-
cordingly posted up. anti the Governors went early
to the theatre, with their white wands. The boats
and pit would have been filled with ladies, if about
thirty gentlemen hail not taken early possession of
the middle of two or three benches, near the spikes
of the orchestra. There were above au hundred
ladies seated on the stage, and, when'tha curtain
drew up, nothing could equal the brilliant appear-
ance of the house. At the entrance of Mr. Shen-
den, (alio had the bonoar of being ushered in by
the Governors). these thirty men, all armed, rose up
in the pit, and ordered him off, and they were joined
by some few placed in both galleries. Sheridan
withdrew, and then violent disputes end threaten-
ings began between the Governors on the stage, and
the gentleiuen iu the pit, rod something very like
challenges passed between several of them. as all the
personson both sides were ponbliely known. Among
the Governors was a stndeut of the college, en his
bachelor's gown, who behaved with some warmth
against those who opposed the play ; and a gentle-
turn (liter the spikes) in the pit, threw an apple at
him, called hint scuttuslrel, and, (as he declared),
said, they were all a pack of scoundrels. Away
/lets- the scholar, like a feathered Mercury, to the
college, the defame half 14 milt, and returned in
about tweets, minutes, with about as many youths,
armed for the curabet, but as the affront was not
given till the house wag heir empty, the rioters hail
meat fortunately all left the pa a eery few rniniitei
before the scholars arrived. Seaich was made after
them et most of the taverns that night. but in
vain. However, when they returned to the
• College, they leaded a conned of war, winch held
all night': and, as spun as the gees were opened
in the morning, out they all 'allied; muted, amid
dispersed, in large parties, to beset the ditheesit
Indgiugs of the rioters. Theee detatchments struck
each a terror in all concerted in the cappeasition,
and seemed to threaten such mischief, that leveret
shops were kept shot in the great streets. But as
the thief aim of the seamier. was to secure the
person who had insulted their whole body, anal as
that gentleman was just come from the country,
he' was not. easily found. During this pursuit,
several of the leaders iu the opposition fled wall
fear and trembling to the Court of Chancery,
where my Lord Chancellor woo sitting. and begged
his Lerdship's protection against the scholars.—
Thus the morning was employed in finalise; out
sad secoring this priceipad offender, which was not
effected till eleven o'clock. when he was secured,
and carried to the College.
" The greatest party then proceeded in search of
another delinquent, at the tipper end of Capel-
street, and went to the haute of a gentletuata of
30001. a-year, demanding his sou, a young officer,
who lived with him ; and, after several difficult, as
well es dangerous attacks, (the hetes being defend-
ed by a good number of servants). they made a
breach, entered. and brought out their prisoner ;
put hint. into a haekneyeetroch, and guarded him
is triumph to the College. Gliteot care was takers

by one of two of the Principals, iwho Needy aid-
ed the enterprise), that no Ext.vilagant putstalusieut
should be inflicted 011 their prisoners. The first
and greatest offender was compelled to kneel down
on his bare knees. in all the courts of the College,
sod to repent a form the). had prepared for him ;
the other was excused kneeling., wiry read his sub-
mission, and asked pardon, nfsbe Col Inge:
" And thus the ladle ended, as to that learned
body. wlid neily interfered iii revlo to thiniselres,
got in the Manager's quoit not only the
whole akr., but emir good 'approved of
their conduct.

"The Leeds Justices non thought proper to artier
the Master of the Revels to slier up The Theatre by
his authority, which was accOrdingly done. Tins
was a wise and prudeut step, hecau,e the Theatre
was made the treat •Or war.

" And wow the lawyers enjoyed the tinitrrel. The
young gentleman win, began it, was taken up for
assaulting Mr. Sheridan, and for the mischief done
at the Theatre, its the dressing-rooms, and ward-
robe. And the Manager was indicted tor sassult-
ing and beating the gentleman; on .the lyth of
January, in his dressing-room. Various were the
reports and wagers on the events of these trials;
was laughed to scorn for believing a Jury i:ualrt be
found iu Pub/in that would find a grattesaaa
guilty. This sounded frightful in the tar.
of an Englishman. But when the time drew near,
the Lord Chief Justice Marlay sent fur the high
Sheriff, and directed him to make out, and bring a
list of sufficient and able Jurors to his Lordship,
Tbis message was immediately spread through the
City, awl. as the usual iniquitous practices of
Utwler Skerifs nod packed Jurors were intended fur
this cause, the disappointment struck such a panic
i■ the whole party, that they gave themselves up as
undone from that circumstance.

" The day appointed for the trials of both par-
ties came on. Mr. Sheridan appeared as the first
culprit, and was tried for assaulting and beating
the gentleman : a most heinous offence. But it
appearing fully to the Jury, on the oaths of three
or four men, whose honesty was unquestioned,
that the gentleman gave the Manager such pro-
voking abusive language in his dressing-zoom, as
compelled him to brat him nut of it, and that no
other person touched hiva, the Jury acquitted the
prisoner, without going out of the box. •
" Theo the gentleman appeared at the bar, and
many were tlus.wituesses examined. He was found
*. 34r. Justice Ward tried both the celiac?, in the
presence of the Lord Chief Ju.tice mid a fall
Bench, who all seemed inspired with. the noble spi-
rit of the Chiefiustice, to dO all its his power to
punish those destroyer.; of public liberty.
" When these law-suits were first commenced,
nothing was talked of but the hundreds that were
subscribed to carry it ou for the gentleman ;
w hen the truth was obliged to appear, not ouefarthine
wits su ascribed, and the whole party left t his distres..
ed offender to the mercy of his ud ersurieti, who, when
be was thoroughly sensible of his error, and had suf-
fered a week's imprisonment, at last applied to M..
Stiendau„ who instantly solicited the Government
to relitiquiou the fine of 5001. which was granted
him, and then become Solicitor and bail himself to
the Court of King's Bench, for the eulargeatent of
the young Gentleman.
" Thus was the long-usurped tyranny of a set of
wanton, dissolute gentlemen (the greatest nusi-ante
that ever any city groaned sind..r) effectually sub.
doted, and the liberties of the people recovered hy'te
worthy
.Lord Chief Justice and en honest Jury."

4.26.
SOU .VPI 'ON &WES.

Theme Races commenced use Thae.tday. The town cup of
501. was woo by Littleton, who walked over the course.
On Friday the subscriptiow cup was also walked over for by
Buceptialus—A sweepstake s :is well contested, time beats,
sad woo by Silversistrs.—.t policy rate emcceeded, trhirh af-
forded Gooch sport, sod was won by a bay pooey mu Ba-
singstuke Thr noted roan seas shunt:fully beaten, thouzli he
was formerly backed agaiust all England. The Stcsards of
the Races patronised hptwy en the evening of the first day,
and there was also a Subscription Ball auto Sapp,' at
the Long ROOM,. The weather proved favourable. There
was wit much sport ots the first Jay, but we the seaand the
company were awn: ipmatind.

Capt. EDWARD [JERRY Coi.unstm Governor
of Sierra Leone (late of the Suleiray frigate), is ap-
pointed to the Crocodile frigate, glow in the North,
Seas, sod is waiting the arrival of that ship to pro-
ceed to his seat of government, en the coast of
Africa. Hon. Capt. WALPOLE is appointed to
the Crone: Capt. SKINNER. to the nitwit/0, at
Portsmouth ; Capt. HILL, to the Naiad.
The number of French prisoners in this country
amounted last week to inti,uo9, and three or tour
thousand more are expected in • few days front
Wakheren.
Saturday the LORD Matron. Aldermen, and
Sheriff% with the Recorder, and other City Officers,
assembled at Guildhall, mud from thence proceeded
in their state coaches to 131ackfriars%bridge, where
they embarked in the City barges, fur Palace-yard-
stairs, Westminster. On their arrival, the proces-
sion went on to the Court of Exchequer. where the
new Sheriffs weut through the usual form of count-
ing the hohnails. 14. and took the accustomed oaths
before one of the Cnrsitor throng. The Corpora-
tion afterwards dineil at Merchant Taylors Hall,
at the expense ail Mr. Alderman ATILIIIN the juoiur
Sheriff.

On Tuesday, JOHN CARTER, Esq. son of the ve-
nerated Irate Sir Jowl' CARTER, was chosen a Bur-
gess of the Corporation of Portsmouth ; aud, on
the resignation of the Chief-Magistracy of that Bo-
rough by the Reverend GEORGE CUTHEVRT, his
MU, GEORGE CUTHBERT, Esq. was also chosen a
Burgess.

Friday. Satitla6 Ertcita, Esq. was sworn into
his uffii.4 of Aloyer of Portsmouth; Oa which
ncra-
wion, the Corporation of that Borough dined
ther at the Cienrge Inn.
' A true bill was found by the Grand Jar', at the
tote Midilliiket Sies.ions, against stern lewd, of the
names of Nt3.-cm, Jonas, Wanes. BUT, JCN-
MN% POLLUTT. and rspiti. fur a cotispiria7, in
cheating and defrauding Mr. Jon Es. of Chenies-
streM, in a foot-nice, lately, at Epwisis Downs, rini
*by Jima, and Pnai:arr, two of Defendants,
whereby he was iodated to put down one hundred
guineas, sod gave. note for it 3tol. and sigo another
instrument, amounting to 430 i. The Llvfeuslant.
Nation. was the stake-holder. The %roger was for
one thousand primes, which was won sey PULLSTT.

seuca.

I CUILDPIALL, IMP?. rt.
77,conar Vrat few, and J4s Tartle, who were charged •ith
lobbing their roosters, "dews. Pane and lo wan Loose-
sorb, Llaisinliitlic, of Coltio and Perorates bark, who
acre reviesad m the hope they wonld discover whir were
their 'rektvers, were agaiu brought up. A3loosilh they
seemed at first iudined to "sake confession, yet tbuy now
prrsi.ted in de-chinos to sake any ilimetwoere„
'mount 14 their depredations, or She party to litmus they
disposed of 'kora. They were therefore osty committed tor
and the par:ini liens.' ewer to proteraor.
Mary Iladvm, an old and notorious olleader, sod who
was diselbargen nu Inter than Minitlay last, for want of pro.
lineation, spun a'cleargr of picking a luau's pocket of four
shillings, was this day r.th picking the pocket
of Edward Hughes, a him lisoisth, of a mho r watrai. Tb.
Prosecutor was in •11101•141Ids1114nce with .111110thersr)mepk, I.
II court Off Elettlll34l.t, last atilt, abort twelve o'clock,
when the Prisoner caini. up, and, israshing alpinist bt., con-
trived to e.::se !sin of Lts watch Ile felt Lrr taking 1, •
iustantly laid hold of her; hut she mouse, 4 t o si:p lite
watch, BM supposed, to the ot!ier wornati.
expressed Irs satisfaction that she was now likel, 1.. ur:et
that juatiee she bad so often eluded, sad comma tel her for

Our readers win recollect the part:culara detailed is
sue paper, abseil a month back, respecting Mira Ma, gnort
Eliz.zbezh Age, who was charged with frasti, in anew:owl
to excite public corapaisiun by affectin la pois .0 irtriseif.
Ilpuis that urcattun, a tall hist°. y the ittipusitions prac-
tired by her so all the mores of WIWIe res.at toruegliont
the untied kingdoms, was brought forward ; let it befog the
oprisiou of IMO( medical gtotte.aeu, ttiatsire was really ha-
wse, she was ...Ailed to be taken tor private red-truutw
lloaton, and a report to be Waite iu a saurus of bee reel state
-arid eundstorts. report was arcerdingty matte, this day,
by those t;estlemen, in a letter to Mr. /I:derusan Schuley, by
which it was stated, they hal cunt-tate.* to vir,:t her;
horn the oboes retains they hol been enabled to swam, they
eirationed so br of clunk's, that site was .u 1 ivinaane. The
worthy Alderma.i fixed, that the report, tied inch further is.
/urination as mina be obiatsedossoold be brace Wt.) (JO.
laikfalala Oaths loth of October.

lOW -lITR