to Robert
Wilks, about the year 1690, at the salary of fifteen shillings a week,
with two shillings and sixpence deducted for teaching him to dance.
Another famous performer, Macklin, was also introduced to the stage by
this family.

At the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, in 1721, there was a memorable
riot, caused by some drunken aristocratic beaux, owing to an alleged
insult, which one of their number was supposed to have received. The
beau referred to, a noble Earl, had crossed the stage whilst Macbeth and
his lady were upon it, in order to speak to a companion who was lolling
in the wings. Rich told the noble Earl that for his indecorum he would
not be allowed behind the scenes again, which so incensed the latter
that he gave Manager Rich a smart slap on the face, which Rich returned.
Swords then were drawn, and between the actors and the beaux a free
fight ensued, which ended in the former driving the latter out of the
theatre. The rioters, however, again obtained access, and rushing into
the boxes, cut down the hangings, besides doing other damage, when, led
by Quin and a number of constables, several of the beaux were captured,
and taken before the magistrates. The end of it all was that the matter
was compromised; but, in order to prevent a recurrence of such
disorderly scenes, a guard should attend the performances. The custom of
having the military in attendance at our theatres--which the above
affray was the primary cause--was in vogue for over a hundred years
after this event.

Rich lived to see Pantomimes firmly established at Drury Lane and Covent
Garden. Drury Lane did, for a few years, discard it in favour of
spectacle, but ultimately found it advisable to return to Pantomime.

At the beginning of the 'sixties of the eighteenth century--1761--died
the father of Harlequins in England, and also--as he has been called--of
English Pantomimes, and there is, I believe, a costly tomb erected to
his memory in Hillingdon Church-yard, Middlesex.

Rich left Covent Garden Theatre to his son-in-law, Beard, the vocalist,
with the not unpleasant restriction, however, that the property should
be sold when L60,000 was bid for it, and for which sum it ultimately
passed into the hands of Harris, Colman, and their partners.

CHAPTER XVI.

Joseph Grimaldi.

The year 1778 marks an epoch in the History of Pantomime, as just over
three-quarters of a century before marked another epoch, the
introduction of Pantomi