A COMEDY,

IN THREE ACTS.

WRITTEN BY SAMUEL FOOTE, ESQ.

AS PERFORMED AT THE

THEATRE-ROYAL HAY-MARKET.

The Lines distinguished by inverted Commas, are omitted in the Representation.

London:

PRINTED BY J. JARVIS,

FOR J. PARSONS, N° 21, PATERNOSTER-ROW.

THE ORATORS.

THIS production was first presented to the town as a morning entertainment, in the summer of 1762, at the little theatre in the Hay-market.

The Cock Lane Ghost was not effectually laid, till brought to its trial at this court of ridicule. The lower and midling orders of the people repaired to the theatre, where they laughed away those prejudices which had too Long resisted the efforts of reason.

The proprietor of a public print of some popularity in a neighbouring kingdom, well known for his vanity, which, in defiance of personal defects of nature and accident, led him to affect the man of gallantry, and to imagine the attractions of his form were irresitable, was another subject properly exposed before those who saw the resemblance, and enjoyed the irony.

The Robin Hood Society, where the powers of the disputants, yielding to the contents of the tankard, evaporated in fume and inebriation, came in likewise for its portion of notice.

Part of the performance laying before the curtain, was a novelty which surprized some, offended others, but pleased the better part of the audience, who entered into the spirit of the joke on the first repetition; by the second it was perfectly understood, and met with general applause.

Dramatis Personae.

HAY-MARKET,

Lecturer.

MR. FOOTE

Pupils.

MR. WESTON

MR. PYNN

MR. QUICK

MR. BANNISTER

MR. DAVIS

MR. LOVEMAN

MR. CASTLE

MR. PALMER

MR. STRANGE

MR. SMITH

Spectators.

MR. PEARCE

MR. KEEN

MR. GARDINER

MR. NEWTON

MR. SHUTER.

THE ORATORS.

ACT 1.-SCENE 1.

Enter WILL TIREHACK and HARRY SCAMPER, booted, with whips in their hands, into a side-box.

Scamper.

PSHA! zounds! prithee, Will, let us go; what signifies our staying here?

Tire. Nay, but tarry a little; besides, you know we promis'd to give Poll Bayless and Bett Skinner the meeting.

Scam. No matter, we shall be sure to find them at three at the Shakespeare.

Tire. But as we are here, Harry, let us know a little what 'tis about?

Scam. About! Why lectures, you fool! Have not you read the bills; and we have plenty of them at Oxford, you know?

Tire. Well, but for all that there may be fun.