16 FISHES AND FISHING. 



let off so easily as only to pay the costs of the solicitor 

 of the Excise. Just as an offer was made (partly in 

 my presence, and I advised it to be accepted) to 

 purchase this theatre (now the Adelphi) as it stood, 

 for 25,000, some excise officers, tempted by the 

 prospect of a share of the very heavy penalties, ob 

 tained powers from the Commissioners to seize and 

 leave a man in possession of the scenery in .every 

 theatre, panorama, and wherever a piece of unstamped 

 painted canvas could be detected. Consternation 

 most extreme was caused amongst theatrical and 

 other persons concerned. Attornies and eminent 

 counsel were consulted, reference was made to East's 

 E-eports of the former proceedings, the legal gentle 

 men shook their heads, and offered no hope ; the only 

 thing they could advise was to petition the Board of 

 Excise, which was done, praying that they would 

 accept of bonds with sufficiently responsible sureties, 

 for the value of the scenery, and the duties, that if on 

 trial the scenery should be declared forfeited, the 

 whole amount should be paid. To which the Board 

 replied, " That the scenery must be measured, the 

 duty paid immediately, a bond given for the value of 

 the scenery ; but should the result of the proposed 

 trial be even in favour of the theatres, no return of 

 the duty must be expected; and until the scenery 

 was measured, and the duty paid, the men must re- 



