SHERIDAN. 509 silenced him with some difficulty, but not till several abusive names had passed from him, such as scoundrel and rascal: and Mr. Sheridan was so much disconcerted as to say, “I am as good a gentleman as you are;” which words were the next day altered thus, “I am as good a gentleman as any in the house.” After the play, this young hero went out of the pit, and found his way to Mr. Sheridan's dressing room, where to his face, before the servants, he called him the same abusive names, which, of course, provoked him to give him some blows, which the gentleman took very patiently; and by means of another falsehood (that Sheridan's ser vants in the room held him while their master beat him) the club of his companions, to whom he went that night with his broken nose and other grievances, were so animated and incensed that a scoundrel player should beat agentleman, that a party was directly formed—a powerful fighting party, and the next day a l l persons were threatened openly i n every coffee-house that dared t o look a s i f they inclined t o take the part o f Sheridan. His name being i n the bills some days after t o perform Horatio, several letters, cards, and messages were sent t o him, warning him not t o leave his house that evening, and t o take particular care t o b e well guarded even there. He followed this friendly advice; and when Mr. Dyer went o n the stage t o apologise for his not performing the part, and t o acquaint the audience with his reasons, a t that instant about fifty o f the party, with the young hero a t their head, rose i n the pit, and, climbing over the spikes o n the stage, ran directly t o the green-room; from thence t o all the dressing rooms; broke open those that were locked; ran up t o the wardrobe and thrust their swords into a l l the chests and presses o f cloths, b y way o f feeling, they said, i f Sheridan was concealed there. After many o f these violences a party went off t o his house; but finding h e had provided for their reception, they thought proper t o retire. This transaction happened o n a Thursday night; and from that time for several nights the theatre was shut up; but during the interval the friends o f each side employed themselves i n defending and attacking each other from the press. The spirit o f the most respectable people was b y this time roused t o oppose the licentiousness o f the rioters. The chief inhabitants began a t this juncture t o assemble, and resolve t o encourage and protect the manager. Several citizens, who seldom were seen i n the theatre, were s o sensible o f the advantages and importance o f a well regulated stage, that they declared t o Mr. Sheridan and his friends, that they would now more than ever appear there, and doubted not being able t o protect the manager and the actors i n general i n the discharge o f their duty. With assurances o f this kind, and a consciousness o f his being i n the right, Mr. Sheridan consented t o the performance o f Richard. The house filled earlier than usual. The play opened with great quietness, but a t the latter end o f the first act, when Richard appeared, a confused noise was heard i n different parts, but chiefly from the boxes, o f “submission—a submission—submis sion—off–of–off!” Mr. Sheridan advanced with respectful bows, but was prevented speaking b y louder and more distinct sounds o f “no sub mission—no submission;–go o n with the play.” I t was i n this conjuncture that the celebrated Dr. Lucas rose u p i n the pit, and asserted the rights o f
