| Citation |
NYEP(D.749.020
7 Aug 1749:11,12,21 (220)
From the London Magazine for January, 1749. The following
bite upon the publick is of so new and extraordinary a
nature, that it deserves to be recorded, as it shews, that a
foolish credulity and ridiculous curiosity seem to have
banished common sense from the Quality and the Gentry of
this metropolis. Towards the middle of this month, the
following advertisement appeared in news papers.
At the New Theatre in the Haymarket, on Monday next, the
16th instant, to be seen a person who performs the several
most surprizing things following; viz. First, he takes a
common walking-cane from any of the spectators, and thereon
plays the music of every instrument now in use, and likewise
sings to surprizing perfection. Secondly, he presents you
with a common wine bottle, which any of the spectators may
first examine; this bottle is placed on a table in the
middle of the stage, and he (without any equivocation) goes
into it, in sight of all the spectators, and sings in it;
during his stay in the bottle, any person may handle it, and
see plainly that it does not exceed a common tavern bottle.
Those on the stage, or in the boxes, may come in masked
habits (if agreeable to them), and the performer (if
desired) will inform them who they are.
Stage 7s. 6d. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s.
To begin at half an hour after six o'clock.
Tickets to be had at the theatre.
*** The performance continues about 2 hours and a half.
N.B. If any gentlemen or ladies, after the above
performances, (either singly or in company, in or out of
mask,) are desirous of seeing a representation of any
deceased person, such as husband or wife, sister or brother,
or any intimate friend of either sex, (upon making a
gratuity to the performer,) shall be gratified, by seeing
and conversing with them for some minuets, as if alive.
Likewise (if desired) he will tell you your most secret
thoughts in your past life; and give you a full view of
persons who have injured you, whether dead or alive.
For those gentlemen and ladies who are desirous of seeing
this last part, there is a private room provided.
These performances have been seen by most of the crown'd
heads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and never appear'd public
any where but once; but will wait on any at their houses,
and perform as above, for five pounds each time.
There will be a proper guard, to keep the house in due
decorum.
This other advertisement was also published at the same
time, which, one would have thought, was sufficient to
prevent the former's having any effect.
Lately arrived from Italy, Signior Capitello Jumpedo, a
surprizing dwarf, no taller than a common tavern tobacco
pipe; who can perform many wonderful equilibres, on the
slack or tite rope: likewise he will transform his body in
above ten thousand different shapes and postures; and after
he has diverted the spectators two hours and a half, he will
open his mouth wide, and jump down his own throat. He being
the most wonderfull'st wonder of wonders as ever the world
wonder'd at, would be willing to join in performance with
that surprizing musician on Monday next in the Haymarket.
He is to be spoke with at the Black Raven in Golden-lane,
every day from seven 'til twelve, and from twelve all day
long.
Nevertheless, the contrivance took, and the playhouse was
crouded with dukes, duchesses, lords, ladies, &c. the
consequence of which will appear from the following
paragraph.
Last night (Monday the 16th) the much expected drama of
the bottle-conjurer of the new theatre in the Haymarket
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 followed a chorus of catcalls, heighten'd 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 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 sword 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 abovementioned 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, occasioned 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 vanished away with the bank. Many
enemies to a late celebrated book, concerning the ceasing of
miracles, are greatly disappointed by the conjurer's
nonappearance 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.
This is to inform the public, that notwithstanding the
great abuse that has been put upon the gentry, there is now
in town a man, who instead of creeping into a quart or pint
bottle, will change himself into a rattle, which he hopes
will please both young and old. If this person meets with
encouragement to this advertisement, he will then acquaint
the gentry when and where he performs.
The reason assigned, in another humerous advertisement, of
the conjurer's not going into the quart bottle, was, that
after searching all the taverns, not one could be found.
ON THE ABOVE ACTION IN THE HAYMARKET:
When conjurers the quality can bubble,
And get their gold with very little trouble,
By putting giddy lies in publick papers,
As jumping in quart bottles,---such like Vapours;
And further yet, if we the matter strain,
Would pipe a tune upon a walking cane;
Nay, more surprizing tricks! he swore he'd show
Grannums who dy'd a hundred years ago.
'Tis whimsical enough, what think ye, sirs?
The quality can ne'r be cojures:---
The de'il a bit:---no, let me speak in brief,
The audience fools the conjurer a thief.
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