Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/512

 508 SHERIDAN. Cibber, comedian,” 12mo, which seems to have ended the dispute. The next year, 1744, Mr. Sheridan came to England, and appeared at Covent-garden theatre, March 31, in the character of Hamlet, and at the commencement of the winter season engaged at Drury-lane, where a sort of competition or rivalship was set up between him and Mr. Garrick, which occasioned a quarrel. On his return to Dublin, he undertook the management of the theatre there; and Mr. Garrick, notwithstanding the quarrel, was invited over. During that season Mr. Garrick, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Barry, and Miss Bellamy, frequently acted in the same plays; yet it is remarkable, that with such a company, and in a Parliament winter, with a l l their strength united, they were not able t o exhibit plays oftener than two nights i n a week, and could seldom ensure good houses t o both those nights; and that the receipt o f the whole season did not exceed $400l. Mr. Sheridan continued i n the management o f the theatre, which before that time had been conducted i n a very disorderly manner; and the abuses had continued s o long a s t o b e evidently a very arduous, i f not impracticable task t o reform. He was, however, determined t o attempt i t and a n event soon happened which afforded him the opportunity o f enforcing some new regulations. On the 19th o f January, 1746-7, a young gentleman inflamed with wine, went into the pit, and climbing over the spikes o f the stage, very soon made his way t o the green-room, where h e addressed one o f the actresses i n such indecent terms, aloud, a s made them all fly t o their dressing rooms. He pursued one o f them thither, but being repulsed by the door, he made such a noise there a s disturbed the business o f the scenes. Miss Bellamy, whom he pursued, was then wanted on the stage, but could not come out for fear. Mr. Sheridan (who was i n the character o f HEsop) went, t o the door, attended b y the servants and a guard, and ordered them t o take that gentleman away, and conduct him t o the pit, from whence he came. This was done without the least bustle or ob struction o n the part o f the gentleman; but when h e arrived i n the pit, h e seized a basket from one o f the orange-women, and when the manager came on the stage, took the best aim h e could a t him with the oranges; one o f which taking place, Mr. Sheridan addressed the audience (which happened t o b e but thin that night) for protection. As there were some gentlemen i n the pit who were acquainted with the rioter, they