of the piece came forward by 
way of prologue*. As soon as his grotesque countenance 



GIL SLAB. 48 

was visible, there was a general clapping of hands ; a 
sore indication of his being one of those spoiled actors, 
who are allowed to take any liberties with the pit, and 
to be applauded through thick and thin. In fact, this 
player neither opened his lips, nor moved a muscle, 
without exciting the most extravagant . He 
would have performed better had he been less conscious 
what a favourite he was. But he presumed on that cir- 
cumstance most abominably. I observed that he some- 
times forgot what was set down for him, and took the 
license of adding to his part out of his own free  ; 
a common cause of complaint against low comedians, 
which, though it may make the unskilful laugh, cannot 
but make the judicious grieve. Would the audience but 
receive such  with hisses, instead of crying bravo, 
they might restrain the absurd practice, and purge the 
stage from barbarism. 

Some of the other performers were greeted with the 
usual tokens on their entrance, and particularly an ac- 
tress who played the chambermaid. There was some- 
 about her which more than usually attracted my 
attention ; and language must sink under the labour of 
expressing my , at tracing the features