The play began, with all the proper accompaniments of a theatrical
performance in private life; with a crowded audience, an African
temperature, a bursting of heated lamp-glasses, and a difficulty in
drawing up the curtain. "Fag" and "the Coachman," who opened the scene,
took leave of their memories as soon as they stepped on the stage;
left half their dialogue unspoken; came to a dead pause; were audibly
entreated by the invisible manager to "come off"; and went off
accordingly, in every respect sadder and wiser men than when they
went on. The next scene disclosed Miss Marrable as "Lydia Languish,"
gracefully seated, very pretty, beautifully dressed, accurately mistress
of the smallest words in her part; possessed, in short, of every
personal resource--except her voice. The ladies admired, the gentlemen
applauded. Nobody heard anything but the words "Speak up, miss,"
whispered by the same voice which had already entreated "Fag" and "the
Coachman" to "come off." A responsive titter rose among the younger
spectators; checked immediately by magnanimous applause. The temperature
of the audience was rising to Blood Heat--but the national sense of fair
play was not boiled out of them yet.
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