1776,
when a new front was being built to the theatre.

Note to p. 34: For this old bridal custom see _ante_, Vol. III (p. 223),
_The Lucky Chance_, II, ii: 'we'll toss the Stocking'; and the note on
that passage.

_Lucky Chance_ text:

Come, Gentlemen, one Bottle, and then--we'll toss the Stocking.

_Lucky Chance_ note:

_we'll toss the Stocking_. This merry old matrimonial custom in use
at the bedding of the happy pair is often alluded to. cf. Pepys,
8 February, 1663: 'Another story was how Lady Castlemaine, a few days
since, had Mrs. Stewart to an entertainment, and at night begun a
frolique that they two must be married; and married they were, with
ring and all other ceremonies of church service, and ribbands, and a
sack posset in bed and flinging the stocking; but in the close it is
said my Lady Castlemaine, who was the bridegroom, rose, and the King
come and take her place.'

* * * * *
* * * *

THE _UNFORTUNATE HAPPY LADY_: A True History.

I cannot omit giving the World an account, of the uncommon Villany of a
Gentleman of a good Family in _England_ practis'd upon his Sister, which
was attested to me by one who liv'd in the Family, and from whom I had
the whole Truth of the Story. I shall conceal the unhappy Gentleman's
own, under the borrow'd Names of Sir _William Wilding_, who succeeded
his Father Sir _Edward_, in an Estate of near 4000_l._ a Year,
inheriting all that belong'd to him, except his Virtues. 'Tis true, he
was oblig'd to pay his only Sister a Portion of 6000_l._ which he might
very easily have done out of his Patrimony in a little Time, the Estate
being not in the least incumbred. But the Death of his good Father gave
a loose to the Extravagancy of his Inclinations, which till then was
hardly observable. The first Discovery he made of his Humour, was in the
extraordinary rich Equipage he prepar'd for his Journey to _London_,
which was much greater than his fair and plentiful Fortune cou'd
maintain, nor were his Expences any way inferior to the Figure he made
here in Town; insomuch, that in less than a Twelve-Month, he was forc'd
to return to his Seat in the Country, to Mortgage a part of his Estate
of a Thousand Pounds a Year, to satisfy the Debts he had already
contracted in his profuse Treats, Gaming and Women, which in a few Weeks
he effected, to the great Affliction of his Sister _Philadelphia_,