ch surprised, told me, in a
gentle voice, that I might come by him if I pleased; "for," says he, "I
do not intend to hurt anybody." I thanked him very kindly and passed by
him, and in a little time after saw him leap upon the stage and act his
part with very great applause. It has been observed by several that the
lion has changed his manner of acting twice or thrice since his first
appearance, which will not seem strange when I acquaint my reader that
the lion has been changed upon the audience three several times. The
first lion was a candle-snuffer, who, being a fellow of a testy, choleric
temper, overdid his part, and would not suffer himself to be killed so
easily as he ought to have done: besides, it was observed of him, that he
grew more surly every time he came out of the lion, and having dropped
some words in ordinary conversation, as if he had not fought his best,
and that he suffered himself to be thrown upon his back in the scuffle,
and that he would wrestle with Mr. Nicolini for what he pleased, out of
his lion's skin, it was thought proper to discard him: and it is verily
believed to this day, that, had he been brought upon the stage another
time, he would certainly have done mischief. Besides, it was objected
against the first lion, that he reared himself so high upon his hinder
paws, and walked in so erect a posture, that he looked more like an old
man than a lion.

The second lion was a tailor by trade, who belonged to the playhouse, and
had the character of a mild and peaceable man in his profession. If the
former was too furious, this was too sheepish for his part; inasmuch
that, after a short modest walk upon the stage, he would fall at the
first touch of Hydaspes, without grappling with him, and giving him an
opportunity of showing his variety of Italian trips. It is said, indeed,
that he once gave him a rip in his flesh-colour doublet: but this was
only to make work for himself in his private character of a tailor. I
must not omit that it was this second lion who treated me with so much
humanity behind the scenes.

The acting lion at present is, as I am informed, a country gentleman, who
does it for his diversion, but desires his name may be concealed. He
says very handsomely, in his own excuse, that he does not act for gain;
that he indulges an innocent pleasure in it, and that it is better to
pass away an evening in this manner than in gaming and drinking: but at
the same time says, with