| Citation |
NYGWPB.749.026
26 Jun 1749:11,12 (336 Supplement)
[London] Last night (viz. Monday the 16th) the much
expected drama of the bottle conjurer of the New Theatre in
the Hay Market, [London] ended in the tragi-comical manner
following. Curiosity had drawn together prodigious numbers.
About 7 the theatre being lighted up, but without so much as
a single fiddle to keep the audience in good humour, many
grew impatient. Immediately follow'd a chorus of catcalls,
heightened by loud vociferations and beating with sticks;
when a fellow came from behind the curtain, and bowing,
said, that if the performer did not appear, the money should
be return'd. At the same time a wag crying out from the
pit, that if the ladies and gentlemen would give double
prices, the conjurer would get into a pint bottle;
presently a young gentleman in one of the boxes seized a
lighted candle, and threw it on the stage. This serv'd as
the charge for sounding to battle. Upon this, the greatest
part of the audience made the best of their way out of the
theatre; some losing a cloak, others a hat, others a wig,
and others hat, wig and swords also. One party however
staid in the house, in order to demolish the inside, when
the mob breaking in, they tore up the benches, broke to
pieces the scenes, pull'd down the boxes, in short
dismantled the theatre entirely, carrying away the
particulars above mentioned into the street, where they made
a mighty bonfire; the curtain being hoisted on a pole by way
of flag. A large party of guards were sent for, but came
time enough only to warm themselves round the fire. We hear
of no other disaster than a young nobleman's chin being
hurt, occasion'd by his fall into the pit with part of one
of the boxes, which he had forced out with his foot. 'Tis
thought the conjurer vanish'd away with the bank. Many
enemies to a late celebrated book, concerning the ceasing of
miracles, are greatly disappointed by the conjurer's non-
appearance in the bottle; they imagining, that his jumping
into it would have been the most convincing proof possible,
that miracles are not yet ceased.
Several advertisements were printed afterwards, some
serious, others comical., relating to this whimsical affair;
among the rest was the following, which we hope, may be a
means of curing this humour for the future.
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