PLAYGOING WIGS, But when I take a spouse once more, I vow to Jove, my radiant Sol's own sire, COVENT GARDEN THEATRE VERSUS [From the Morning Chronicle.] DOOR Shakspeare is hardly beset, POOR In this most tyrannical age; His wig is turn'd out of the pit, And his wit is turn'd off from the stage. 345 WIGSBY. THE PROGRESS OF CIVILIZATION. ON THE CONDUCT OF A CERTAIN BARRISTER, IN THE COVENT GARDEN THEATRE, ON I PIT OF NIGHT. [From the British Press, Dec. 13.] WO centuries ago a Shakspeare rose, Two T'improve mankind and to adorn the stage; Another Shakspeare modern times close, The stage disgracing by fell strife and rage. PLAYGOING WIGS. FRIDAY N. P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE. SIR, [Dec. 14.] AM a lady who, no matter whether from illness or age, have lost the flowing ringlets that once played in graceful negligence around my neck. I have lost * Mr. Shakspeare, a barrister, was taken to Bow Street for wearing his professional wig in the pit. Q 5 them them in reality, but only in reality-for, thanks to the perfection to which our peruke-makers have carried their delightful art, I can still in appearance vie with the flaunting misses who have not met so unkind a fortune in this respect as myself. I entreat your permission to ask, through the medium of the Morning Chronicle, the advice of some of your correspondents on the dilemma in which a late circumstance has placed us. You are to know, Sir, that I am come to town but for a few days, and ain dying to see the inside of Covent Garden theatre; but before I venture there, I must beg to be informed in wigs of what colour, how many curls, &c. &c. a lady may risk her presence at that place, without danger of being taken out by these horrid Bow Street people. That I may not be in such jeopardy from wearing an illegal wig, or be debarred the pleasure of giving my friends in the country a description of the splendid edifice, I entreat an early answer from some of your polite correspondents; and trust that you will excuse this intrusion, which proceeds from the extreme anxiety of Your obedient servant, KEMBLE, LEAVE THE PIT ALONE, The catcalls next shrill sounding 'Midst O. P.'s vocal strain; In the new-built playhouse, O! On that night, In the new-built playhouse, O! KEMBLE, LEAVE THE PIT ALONE. [From the same, Dec. 15.] Air-" Barney, leave the Girls alone." Let 'em crack their wit alone; Why with lawyers fagging 'em, Johnny, leave, &c. Other measures try at, O! Johnny, &c. Despotism French is, O! O. P. lads and wenches, O! Johnny, &c. 347 Now Now lead down the middle, O! A THE O. P. VICTORY. Tune-" Old Towler.” GAIN the vocal tumult roars, At rattles' well-known sound; Britons strike home! avenge your wrongs, Hark forward to battle. While as the battle fierce did glow, Brandon shall quit us in a trice, And, pittites-you shall have old price, You've gain'd the victory. With your hey ho dancing, C. B. DIED DEATH OF O. P. [From the General Evening Post, Dec. 19.] IED suddenly, last Thursday, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, as he was entertaining a large party of friends, the celebrated O. P. at the advanced age of 66. Το DEATH OF O. P. 349 To this extraordinary character we may apply what Whitelocke has said of Lord Strafford-" Certainly never man acted such a part, on such a theatre, with so much wisdom, constancy, and eloquence."-His birth was accompanied by many portentous circumstances. Like Bacchus-whom, as his enemies would maliciously insinuate, he not a little resembled-he was born at the moment his mother was consumed by the flames. In his infancy, he was noisy, fretful, and violent; but this proceeded from bad management; for in general he was remarkably good-tempered, and maintained to the hour of his death the character of a rattling roaring fellow.-Sometimes, it must be admitted, he was rough, and even terrible in his manner; but those who were best acquainted with him, say that this was half play.-Although a good pugilist, he had a particular aversion to private boxing. In literary talents he was by no means deficient, and is suspected to have been author of many humorous pieces, in prose and verse. Like Sir Roger De Coverley, he has given name to a dance. The hats made according to his direction are much approved of; but his principles made him an enemy to patents. We fear that his matrimonial connexions were not very fortunate, as his enemies have often reproached him with his horns. That O. P. was a zealous Christian, we may judge from his hatred of the Jews; but his political principles have given rise to very various and opposite opinions. That he loved the King, there is no doubt; nay, it is well known that he chanted God save the King every night before he went to bed. To foreigners he had an uncontrollable aversion. The liberty of the subject and the trial by jury were his constant themes. He was engaged in many law-suits, and always proved too strong for his antagonists; nor was this surprising, as his advocates were always the BEST. The deceased has been frequently accused of ⚫too |