Mrs. Siddons as Andromache; Mrs. Jordan as Viola.
"On Thursday last a ludicrous fracas took place in one of the boxes of the first circle, at Drury Lane Theatre. A gentleman, finding himself much incommoded by the heat, had recourse to his smelling-bottle. One of the fighting lobby loungers, who stood close to him, took offence at the scent, and desired him to put it up. The demand not being obeyed, an altercation ensued, which ended with the customary etiquette of Boabdil's presenting his card, and desiring his antagonist's, in return. The card was accepted, but the only notice taken of it, was a formal offer of the smelling-bottle. This retort completely disconcerted the would-be Duellist, who found himself so unexpectedly taken by the nose, and the affair concluded with a general laugh at the impertinence of the offender."—(Times, Oct. 7, 1797.)
"The indecent behaviour of the Box-lobby loungers, becomes, every day, more disorderly, and offensive. Two of this contemptible class, who frequent the Theatre, merely to interrupt the performance, and disturb the audience, quarrelled, on Tuesday night, at Drury-Lane house, and, regardless of every kind of decorum, stripped in the lobby, and decided their dispute à la Mendoza. We trust that the timely interference of peace officers will prevent, for the future, a conduct so degrading to society, and so reproachful to public manners."—(Times, Oct. 18, 1798.)
Cant phrases, and catch words, have been in use on the stage for many years, Paul Bedford's sonorous "I believe you my Bo-o-o-o-y," and Lionel Brough's "That's the sort of man I am," being illustrations of the fact. Something like these, tickles the fancy of the audience, and, in very little time, the phrase is all over the town, and in everybody's mouth.
"Knight's cant phrase of 'That accounts for it,' is pleasantly made use of in the new Farce at Covent Garden. Bond St. Bobbies have, all, their different cant phrases, indeed, they must say something, and have no other talents for conversation, so 'that accounts for it.'"—(Times, Dec. 5, 1798.)
Mrs. Billington, as Rosetta; Mrs. Martyr, as Euphrosyne.
"Cant Phrases.
"Our Dramatic Authors have lately amused themselves, and the Public, with cant phrases, instead of character, 'That's your fort'—'Keep moving'—&c. Young Dibdin, in his Jew and Doctor, seems to have hit upon the happiest cant, imaginable; 'That accounts for it,' which seems applicable in almost all cases.
"There is no opposition to Government, in the House of Commons—for a change of Ministry would ruin the country—that accounts for it.