| Citation |
VGW(PA.739.001
5-12 Jan 1739:32 (128)
London, Oct 10. Last night, great numbers of Protestant
gentlemen went to the New Theatre in the Hay-Market, in
order to hinder a parcel of French Papists, lately arrived
here as strolling players, from performing: Never appeared
at any theatre a greater unanimity, almost every body having
the greatest abhorrence of Papists, coming over to a
Protestant country to pick Protestants pockets, when at the
same time several Protestant players are almost starved, by
being debar'd from acting. There was hissing, cat-calling,
ringing small bells, knocking out the candles, pelting, etc.
etc. that the strollers were drove off the stage, and forced
to retire at backdoors, for fear of mischief. The Hay-
Market was full of people, not a hundredth part being able
to get into the house. The mob in the street broke the
windows of the house all to pieces; potatoes and pippings
sold for 1 s. and 18 d. a dozen, at the door of the
theatre.------Some few years ago, a Protestant English
player was sent to the House of Correction as a vagrant (by
his Majesty's Justices of the Peace) having no legal
settlement: What settlement have those Papish strollers?
It is therefore hoped his Majesty's Justices of the Peace
will enquire into their settlements, and, if none, order
them to be whipped out of the Kingdom. But what will Old
Fox say to this?
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