18 PISHES AND FISHING. 



granted, I intended to have given them, the Commis- 

 sioners, the opportunity of gracefully recalling their 

 tyrannous decision, by showing them the section of 

 the Act. But no ! the solicitor, earwigged by the 

 interested Excise officers, treated us as if we were 

 paupers, and induced the Commissioners to refuse us 

 an interview; which so irritated me, that I said to my 

 friends, " Come away, let us go and apply to these 

 gentlemen's masters." Mr. Astley and my friend 

 were much vexed at what they considered was hasty 

 impetuosity of temper on my part, which they said 

 would ruin the cause ; but when we were again in 

 the carriage, I showed them the section of the Act, 

 which astonished and delighted them. I proposed 

 drawing up a memorial referring to this section, for 

 presentation to the Lords of the Treasury ; which I 

 did, and sent it to Mr. Astley, after I had shown it 

 to my friend Scott. I went to Mr. Astley that even- 

 ing, 17th Sept., 1819, who had a person there to 

 make a fair copy, which was signed by him, my 

 friend, andparties belongingto the two Theatres Royal, 

 presented to the Lords of the Treasury, who imme- 

 diately ordered the men in possession to withdraw, 

 and gave directions that the Board of Excise should 

 pay for any damage or loss such seizure had occasioned. 

 Thus, through me, were all the theatres relieved, 

 probably for ever, from this annoyance, and the poor 



