1831.] EUiston-Eccentricities. 135 



an enthusiastic welcome. It must be observed that both master and 

 sei'vant had imbibed a sufficient quantity of brandy and water to make 

 them quite independent of audience, or, in fact, of any thing else but 

 the object for which they came. The following extraordinary dialogue 

 ensued — " Well, Scamp," said his master (Elliston), " so, after all the 

 years we have been together, you will leave me at last — (aside) — I 

 say, you rogue, how much money have you got ?" 



Scamp. — " Yes, Sir, I can submit to your temper no longer — I have got 

 sixty good pounds in my pocket." 



Master. — " Sixty pounds, you say; hand them to me, good Scamp." 



Scamp. — " Harkye, Sir John. For many years have you promised 

 me my wages, but the devil a penny could I get. Have you not 

 likewise trepanned me from a comfortable place to starve in your service .'' 

 I have now got the money, and I intend to keep it. Sir John" — 

 suiting the action to the word by slapping his pocket, where the noise of 

 the coin was distinctly audible. Some of the audience, who knew the 

 play, were in amaze, others thought it capital acting. An appalling 

 fact, however, glaiiced on the manager's mind. He knew there was a 

 considerable balance due to the author, but this method of payment he 

 was unprepared for. 



Master. — " What, would you ruin your generous master, after all he 

 has done for you ?" (shewing considerable agitation.) 



Scamp. — '' My generous master has ruined me, and the least he can 

 do is to pay me what he owes me. Farewell, Sir — I have a conveyance 

 near to take me back to town." 



Master. — " Nay, then, if that's the game, here's after you ;" — and 

 before the author could make his exit he felt the manager's hand on his 

 collar with such an impetus, that, aided by the potation, down they 

 both tumbled, and literally rolled together on the stage. The pockets 

 of the author, charged as they were with gold and silver, and all unused 

 to such a freight, gave way under the shock, and the glittering coin 

 scattered itself liberally about the stage. The fiddlers' eyes glistened 

 at the sight, and, unable to resist the temptation of paying their own 

 arrears, they scooped the stray half-crowns into the orchestra with their 

 bows, while some jumped on the stage, and began to collect the spoil. 

 In the pit there happened to be a number of worthy tradesmen and 

 others, having bills unpaid, who, seeing how matters went, and dread- 

 ing the result, hastily followed the example of the fiddlers, and in 

 another instant the stage became a bear-garden, each intent on himself, 

 swearing, and fighting, and scrambling, like so many Eton-boys, or— 

 devils. The independent part of the house were shrieking with 

 laughter — the original combatants, lying on the stage, panting with 

 their exertion, were hustled about and trampled by the creditors — 

 while, to crown the scene, amidst the babel-like confusion, some wags 

 extinguished the lights, and — let fall the curtain ! 



