Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-12-22

Queen Anne, in 1704, expressly or
dered that mo woman should be allowed
or presume to wear, q vizard-mask In
either Of the theatres" At the same
time it was commanded that no person,
of what quality sO-ever. should presume
to 90 behind the scenes, or come upon
the stage, either before or during the
acting Of any play; and that no person
should come into either house witnout
paying the price established for tneir
respective places. And the disooedient
were publicly warned that they would
be proceeded against as "contemners OF
our royal authority and disturbers OF the
public peace" These royal commands
were not very implicitly obeyed. wizard
masks may have been discarded promptly
bnt there was much crowding behind
the scenes and upon the stage by per-
sons of quality for many years after.
Garrick, in 1852, once and forever sue
ceeded in clearing the boards OF the
unruly mob of spectators, and secured
room to move upon the scene for him.
self and his company. But it was only
by enlarging his theatre, and in such
wise increasing the numbers OF seats
available for spectators in the auditory
of the house, that he was enabled 10
effect this reform. From that date the
play-goers of the past grew more ike
the piay-goers Of the present, until the
flight of time rendered distinction be-
tween them no longer possible, ana
merged yesterday in to-day. There
must have been a very important change
in the aspect of the house, however,
when hair powder went out of fashion
in 1875, when swords ceased to be worn
for, of course, there could be no more
rising of the pit to slash the curtain and
scenery, to prick the performers, and to
lunge at the mirrors and decorations; !;
when gold and silver lace vanished from
coats and waistcoats, silks and velvets
gave place to broadcloth and pantaloons !;
and when, afterward, trousers covered
those neither limbs which had before
been, and for so long period, exhibited
in silk stockings. Yet these alterations
were accomplished gradually, no doubt.
All was not done in single night.
Fashion makes first one convert, and
then another, and so on, until all are
numbered among her followers, and
wear the livery she has prescribed.
Garrick's opinion of those play-goers Of
his time, whom he at last banished from
his stage, may be gathered from the
dialogue between 4Esop and the Fine
Gentleman, in his farce of "Lethe."
Esop inquiries, ''How do you spend
your evening, sir?" 81 dress in the
evening"" says the fine gentleman, land
go generally behind the scenes of both
play houses; not, you may imagine, to
be diverted with the play, but to intrigue
and show myself. l stand upon the
stage, talk loud and stare about, which
confounds the actors and disturbs the
audience. Upon which the galleries.
who hate the appearance of one of us,
begin to hiss, and cry, of, off, while
/, undaunted, stamp my foot so; lOll
with my shoulder thus; take snuff with
my right hand and smile scornfully,
thus. This exasperates the savages and
they attack us with volleys of sucked
oranges and half-eaten pippins.' "And
you retire?" "Without doubt, if am
sober; for oranges will stain silk, and
an orange disfigures feature. AL
the Year Round.