ts about an hour, and the
ladies bounce up and down the middle, with a degree of spirit which is
quite indescribable. As to the gentlemen, they stamp their feet against
the ground, every time 'hands four round' begins, go down the middle and
up again, with cigars in their mouths, and silk handkerchiefs in their
hands, and whirl their partners round, nothing loth, scrambling and
falling, and embracing, and knocking up against the other couples, until
they are fairly tired out, and can move no longer. The same scene is
repeated again and again (slightly varied by an occasional 'row') until a
late hour at night: and a great many clerks and 'prentices find
themselves next morning with aching heads, empty pockets, damaged hats,
and a very imperfect recollection of how it was they did _not_ get home.

CHAPTER XIII--PRIVATE THEATRES

'RICHARD THE THIRD.--DUKE OF GLO'STER 2_l._; EARL OF RICHMOND, 1_l_;
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, 15_s._; CATESBY, 12_s._; TRESSEL, 10_s._ 6_d._;
LORD STANLEY, 5_s._; LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, 2_s._ 6_d._'

Such are the written placards wafered up in the gentlemen's
dressing-room, or the green-room (where there is any), at a private
theatre; and such are the sums extracted from the shop-till, or
overcharged in the office expenditure, by the donkeys who are prevailed
upon to pay for permission to exhibit their lamentable ignorance and
boobyism on the stage of a private theatre. This they do, in proportion
to the scope afforded by the character for the display of their
imbecility. For instance, the Duke of Glo'ster is well worth two pounds,
because he has it all to himself; he must wear a real sword, and what is
better still, he must draw it, several times in the course of the piece.
The soliloquies alone are well worth fifteen shillings; then there is the
stabbing King Henry--decidedly cheap at three-and-sixpence, that's
eighteen-and-sixpence; bullying the coffin-bearers--say eighteen-pence,
though it's worth much more--that's a pound. Then the love scene with
Lady Ann, and the bustle of the fourth act can't be dear at ten shillings
more--that's only one pound ten, including the 'off with his
head!'--which is sure to bring down the applause, and it is very easy to
do--'Orf with his ed' (very quick and loud;--then slow and
sneeringly)--'So much for Bu-u-u-uckingham!' Lay the emphasis on the
'uck;' get yourself gradually into a corner, and work with your right
hand, while you're saying i