Famous Theatrical Riots.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 282, 18 July 1888, Page 6

Famous Theatrical Riots.

Ix considering certain events in history, ifc is impossible not to be struck with the gullibility of humanity on certain occasions. What the generality do at times, the individual, without consideration, imagines cor rect. Often the curious habit displayed by the sheep is also observable in human' opinion. Take the following : — The Hayinarket Theatre was the scene of a great rint in 1749. Throughout the city, posters announced that on a certain night a man in the Haymarket company would put} himself into a quart bottle. The theatre was packed ; but the conjurer did not appear. The audience, at first enraged, were easily appeased by the promise that on the following evening the performer would really appear, and use a pint instead of a quart bottle. The second night the [audience were again disappointed. They had at length discovered their own stupidity, and were furious. The Duke of Cumberland, one of the occupants of the boxes, stood up with drawn sword, and advised the infuriated people to destroy everything within their reach. This was soon accomplished ; and, tearing down the trappings, they carried them into the street, whei'e a large bonfire was kindled. It afterwards turned oufr that the hoax arose in the fruitful! yet withal simple brain of the Duke ofi Montague. The Duke of CumbevlantC. was a greafc favom % ite with ihe theatre 1 goers ; and at his death, becauso certain' persons appeared in the theatre without), mournings a riot took place, and was renewed, until the offenders against the public taste either absented themselves from,' the play or assumed the duo mark of respect for the dead Duke. The nineteenthcentury theatre differs in many respectsfrom that of the eighteenth. In the latter,, the servants of gentlemen had some privi- ' leges. They had a right to remain in theseats of their masters till the latter arrived. > The manners of the upper classes at that)-, time were not altogether exemplary, and'i their lackeys followed suit, only they were*, more offensive. While sitting in the boxes,, the footmen were allowed to spit or throw orange-peel into the pit ; and when the*, appearance of their masters relegated them, to the gallery, which privilege they had gratis, their conduct in no way improved. At length this gallery privilege was' denied, them, and flunkeydom was wroth. To give vent to their rage, the footmen congregated in vast numbers within the theatre.. The uproar they caused put in the background all such past occurrences ; ' ' and' although the Prince of Wales was one of the audience, no heed was paid to him. The military was called out ; fiftoen of the disturbers were arrested, and next day suffered at the hands of the sheriff of Loii don,