attractions equal to Mother Goose,
Cinderilla, the Forty thieves, an elephant, or a band of Indians, can it
be a subject of surprise if the managers furnish those bills of fare,
which possess the greatest gratification for that public on whom they
depend?

_Samuel Foote._

It is an old and trite maxim that ridicule is by no means a test of
truth--and yet it is an equally ancient remark, that many a serious
truth has been put out of countenance by ridicule, and that ridicule
unsupported by wit or humour.

In a song sung by Mrs. Cibber, there was this line--

"The roses will bloom when there's peace in the breast."

Of the justice of which no man can entertain a doubt. The wicked wit
Foote parodied the line, thus

"The turtles will coo when there's pease in their craws,"

And actually destroyed the popularity of the song.

_A spirited manager._

The latter part of the following interesting anecdote of Garrick is
unaccountably omitted in his life, by his biographer, Arthur Murphy.

In the year 1755, the English Roscius expended large sums of money in
preparing what he termed a Chinese Festival, a grand spectacle, on a
most magnificent scale. He imported a large number of Swiss and Italians
to appear in it, which excited considerable jealousy among the London
populace, as a French war had then begun, and all foreigners were
indiscriminately regarded as Frenchmen. There was considerable
opposition made the first and second nights of its being exhibited--and
the 3d night, November 18, there was a large party formed, who were
determined to have it suppressed. Violent riots took place--"the rioters
tore up the benches, broke the lustres, threw down the partitions of the
boxes, and mounting the stage, demolished the Chinese scenery." The
injury sustained by the manager was very considerable, and required
several days, and a very large sum of money to repair.

Some nights after, Garrick appeared on the stage in the character of
Archer, and was imperiously and unjustly called upon to beg pardon of
the audience. At this, his indignation was enkindled, and he advanced
resolutely forward, stating the injury his property had sustained, and
assuring them that "he was above want, superior to insult, and unless he
was that night permitted to perform his duty to the best of his
abilities, he would never--never appear upon the stage again." The
audience were struck with the justice and propriety of what he
said--f