e, and bullying, not
only the actors but the audience. Mr. Cone has really no more to do
with it than Mr. Cooke or Mr. Kemble; but these fellows use him as
drunken Irishmen in fairs are known to use their great coats. These
champions of the _real_ cudgel draw their great coats along with the
skirts trailing on the ground, and keeping their eyes fixed upon
them, cry, in order to kick up a riot, "Who dare tread upon my
coat."

It behoves the citizens in general to interfere in some way and
prevent those shameful outrages upon their rights and feelings.
Places of amusement ought to be resorts of good-humour and
peace--not rendezvous for swaggering petulant bullies. The law
ought to be called in to prevent a repetition of such offences. For
certainly there are legal provisions to answer the purpose. If not,
it were better to shut up the playhouse at once than have it open,
a school of riot and impertinence.

If these men be really the friends of Mr. Cone, they certainly
take the very worst way to show it. Mr. Cone's own talents and the
unbiassed judgment of the public are more substantial grounds for
him to rely upon, than all that the whole body of Hectors could do
for his support or advancement. They have long been the pest of the
playhouse, and always the worst enemies of those whose cause they
have officiously assumed to espouse. It is but justice to Mr. Cone
to declare our firm persuasion that he has too much sense, and too
much honour to wish for the interference of men whose pretended
friendship cannot fail to subject any person who is its object to
public odium and to the dislike and suspicion of every wise, honest
and respectable gentleman in the community.

Mr. Lewis, the player, on his late retirement from the stage,
reminded the public that he had been six and thirty years playing to
them, and had never once received the slightest disapprobation. Had
a fragment of the ignorant mob of London been permitted to rule the
theatre he would have been hissed a thousand times, if it were for
nothing else but his superior merit. This we can affirm, that Mr.
Wood is at least as inoffensive as Mr. Lewis.

INDEX.

A
Actors, animadversion on
WOOD,
in Rapid, 62
Rolla, 65
Reuben Glenroy, 67
Harry Dornton, 73
Bob Handy, 76
Alonzo, 229, 337
Jaffier, 337
Copper Captain, 339
Prince