eases everybody is a
regular growth of trees, represented more like nature than what has yet
been seen upon the stage, and the representation of a serpent so lively
as to frighten half the ladies who see it. It is, indeed, curious in its
kind, being wholly a piece of machinery, that enters, performs its
exercise of head, body, and tail in a most surprising manner, and makes
behind the curtain with a velocity scarcely credible. It is about a foot
and a half in circumference of the thickest part, and far exceeds the
former custom of stuffing a bag into such likeness. It is believed to
have cost more than L200; and when the multitude of wings, springs,
etc., whereof it consists, are considered, the charge will not appear
extravagant. The whole Royal family have been to see this performance;
and, from what can be judged, everybody else will see it before the end
of the season, the house being every day full at 3 o'clock, though
seldom empty till after eleven."

Sam Hoole--father of the translator of Tasso and Ariosto--was Rich's
chief machinist at this period, and the inventor of this famous serpent.
He had, according to Cumberland, a shop where he sold mechanical toys.
Having a large stock of serpent toys left on his hands he became a
ruined and bankrupt man.

"Orpheus and Eurydice" was revived by Rich in 1747, and again in 1755;
when it ran 31 nights. In 1768 it was reproduced by his successors at
Covent Garden. In October, 1787, it was again put in the bill, and this
time by Royal Command, it was said.

Of the number of Pantomimes brought out by Rich I shall not dilate on,
and those that I have referred to will, doubtless, show what all these
"plays without words" were like.

During the summer season of 1761, at Drury Lane, Murphy and Foote
endeavoured

"From Pantomime to free the stage
And combat all the ministers of the age,"

by ridiculing the popular amusement in having the character of Harlequin
hung in full view of the audience in a play entitled "The Wishes." When
the catastrophe was at hand Murphy whispered to Cumberland: "If they
don't damn this, they deserve to be damned themselves!" No sooner were
the words uttered than a turbulent mob in the pit broke out, and quickly
put an end to the dire fatality with which Pantomime and its hero,
Harlequin, were threatened.

Christopher Rich gave the first engagement to the afterwards celebrated
actress, Mrs. Oldfield, and, previously, a similar kindness