e is thrown into a fright. "It was then," says
Gherardi, "that incomparable model of our most eminent actors displayed
the miracles of his art; that art which paints the passions in the face,
throws them into every gesture, and through a whole scene of frights
upon frights, conveys the most powerful expression of ludicrous terror.
This man moved all hearts by the simplicity of nature, more than skilful
orators can with all the charms of persuasive rhetoric."

The Extemporal Comedies were all improvised, the actors underwent no
rehearsal, and, as the name denotes, everything was impromptu. The
Scenario, or plot, had just simply the scenes and the characters set
forth, and it was then hung in a conspicuous place on the stage; and
just in a similar way as the gas or lime light "plots" are affixed in
present day theatres, though the Scenarios were not as elaborate as what
some of our gas or limelight "plots" are.

Before going on the stage, the Mimes just inspected the Scenario of the
_Comedia Del' Arte_, and for the dialogue and action everything depended
solely upon their Pantomimic genius.

Disraeli mentions that men of great genius had a passion for performing
in these Extemporal Comedies, and, amongst others, the great painter,
Salvator Rosa. A favourite character of Rosa's was that of Formica, a
Clown of Calabria. Passeri, in his life of Rosa, tells the following
anecdote:--

One summer, Salvator Rosa joined a company of young persons, who were
curiously addicted to the making of _Comedie all' Improviso_. In the
midst of a vineyard they raised a rustic stage, under the direction of
one Mussi, who enjoyed some literary reputation, particularly for his
sermons preached in Lent.

Their second Comedy was numerously attended, and I went among the rest.
I sat on the same bench by good fortune with Cavalier Bernini,
Romanelli, and Guido, all well-known persons. Salvator Rosa, who had
already made himself a favourite with the Roman people, under the
character of Formica, opened with a prologue in company with other
actors. He proposed for relieving themselves of the extreme heats and
_ennui_ that they should make a Comedy, and all agreed. Formica (Rosa)
then spoke (in the satirical Venetian dialect) these exact words, which
Mr. Disraeli translates as follows:--"I will not, however, that we
should make a Comedy like certain persons who cut clothes, and put them
on this man's back, and on that man's back; for at last the t