With the State of the Kingdom, that of the Theatre fympathized; thin Audiences produce but thin Receipts; Debts confequently were contracted; and the lefs Profpect a Creditor has of being paid, the more importunate he is apt to be for his Money.

With the Credit of the Shop, the Credit of the Theatre, now looked upon as an Appendage to the Shop, failed also.

Mr. Lacy's Situation was now become a very uneasy one. According to the admired Expreffion of a late glorious Commander, he had Choice of Difficulties to ftruggle with. But his Candor and Integrity, like the other's Courage and Perseverance, carried him through them all.

VOL. I.

E

He

He retained the Confidence of the Company, by convincing them he deserved it; and in virtue of that Conviction, they adhered to him to the laft.

One Attempt, indeed, was made to overturn him; which ferving as a Specimen of theatrical Policy, may not prove altogether unentertaining to the Reader.

The Mortgagee came one Morning to the Theatre, and having collected the Company together, gave them to understand, they were to have no more Salary that Season. By the Way, it was about the End of January, and, according to the Tenure of the Mortgage, there was but a fmall Sum due to this Gentleman at that Time. This fo unexpected a Declaration greatly astonished the Actors.

Intelligence

་

Intelligence was foon brought to Mr. Lacy of what had paffed, and he as foon applied to the Mortgagee for an Explanation: announcing, as he had a Right to do, that he, the Mortgagee, must abide by all Confequences; he having no Power to iffue any Money either to Actor or Creditor, but by the Direction of Mr. Lacy, and being refponfible to neither for any Debt or Demand.

Struck with this Reprefentation, and under fome Pain, it may be fuppofed, for the Iffue, the Mortgagee feemed to be much concerned for his Rafhnefs; and of his own Accord promised to continue the feveral Salaries, without ftopping one Shilling more during the Seafon; and he kept his Word.

Mr. Lacy's Bufinefs now was to communicate this good News to the Company, already convened at the Rofe Tavern, by a bad Man with a good Character; doubtlefs, to serve the Manager, by appealing the Storm, not to throw his Net while the Waters were troubled. This was done by Meffage. They were told in Mr. Lacy's Name, that all the Money which came into the Office, the Treasurer would pay them till their Demands were fatisfied, if that would do it. When one of the Company asked how they could be affured of that; it was replied, as with one Voice, that they never doubted Mr. Lacy's Word, and would chearfully rely upon it now.

And they had the Money.

But

But to proceed with the History of the Patent: Mr. Riddle, Mr. Green's Fatherin-law, Receiver for the County of Bedford, had an Extent in Aid for about 16,000l. against his Son, and his Son's Partner; and, among other Effects, had attached their Property in the Theatre, with a Design to fell it to the best Bidder.

He fignified this Defign of his to Mr. Laty, and not only fo, but defired him farther, to tranfact the Affair for him. Mr. Lacy undertook it accordingly; and thinking Mr. Garrick, on Account of his Abilities and Reputation, and Mr. M-e, on Account of his Connection with the Theatre, the pro