Hallam * (whom Macklin accidentally killed in a quarrel about a stage wig).
* A very rare portrait of Hallam represents him standing before the stage-lights, holding in one hand a wig, and pointing with the other to "An infallible recipe to make a wicked manager of a theatre" (a merciless satire on Macklin,) dated 'Chester, 20, 1750." A stick is thrust into his left eye by one behind the scenes. For this accident, which caused his death, Macklin was tried at the Old Bailey in May, 1735, and found guilty of manslaughter.
** When actors intend to abridge a piece they say, "We will John Audley it!" It originated thus. In the year 1749, Shuter played drolls at Bartholomew Fair, and was wont to lengthen the exhibition until a sufficient number of people were collected at the door to fill his booth. The event was signified by a Merry Andrew crying out from the gallery, "John Audley!" as if in the act of inquiry after such a person, though his intention was to inform Shuter there was a fresh audience in high expectation below! In consequence of this hint, the droll was cut short, and the booth cleared for the new crop of impatient expectants! Shuter occasionally spent his evenings at a certain "Mendicants' convivial club," held at the Welch's Head, Dyott Street, St. Giles's; which, in 1638, kept its quarters at the Three Crowns in the Vintry.
--and very early in life, little Quick. * Ned had a sincere regard for Mr. Whitfield, and often attended his ministry at Tottenham Court Chapel.
* During one of Quick's provincial excursions the stage- coach was stopped by a highwayman. His only fellow traveller, a taciturn old gentleman, had fallen fast asleep. "Your money" exclaimed Turpin's first cousin. Quick, assuming the dialect and manner of a raw country lad, replied with stupid astonishment, "Mooney, zur! uncle there (pointing to the sleeping beauty,) pays for I, twinpikes and all!" The highwayman woke the dozer with a slap on the face, and (in classical phrase) cleaned him out, leaving our little comedian in quiet possession of the golden receipts of a bumper.
Upon one occasion he played Richard III. for his benefit. His original intention was to have acted it with becoming seriousness; but the public, who had anticipated a travestie, would listen to nothing else; and Quick (with the best tragic intentions!) was reluctantly obliged to humour them. When he came to the scene where the crook-back'd tyrant exclaims,