CHAPTER XXXIV. THEATRICAL A N D KINDRED ENTERTAINMENTS.
SYNOPSIS:—The Pavilion Described.—Hodges the Moving Spirit.—Hodges' Misfortunes. —Collapse of the Pavilion Management.—First Amateur Theatrical Association.—First Theatrical Performance. —The Theatre Royal.—Death of Mr. Richard Capper.—Attempted Abduction of Miss Sinclair.—A "Green-room" Fight.—Entr'Acte Amusements: —Attempt to Capsize a Theatre. — " The Crib."—" Captain of the Guard."—The Royal Victoria Theatre.—Hodges in the Insolvent Court. — Collapse of the Amateur Dramatic Association.—Formation of an Amateur Club.—Batters, the Tinker.—First Professional Playbill.—Storming the Dress Circle.—"The Ghost" Ceased to Walk.—Death of Mr. A'nowles.—New Arrivals.—A Theatrical Riot.—Demolition of the Pavilion.—Smith's Queen Street Theatre. — Opening of the New Theatre Royal. THE PAVILION.
WHERE yvas a time (not very long ago) yvhen taverns, though unlike angels, yvere, like angels' visits, few and far betyveen, in Bourke Street, and towards the end of 1840, there yvere only three licensed victuallers in all that n o w throbbing thoroughfare. AVhere the big Bull and Mouth fattens and flourishes on public favour, there nestled a small single-floored, yveather-boarded, shingleroofed, cottage-like hostelry called the Eagle Lnn, a drinking rendezvous of some note, kept by a Mr. J. Jamieson yvho though he reigned, did not govern, for its constitution yvas an absolute gynocracy, administered by the hostess, k n o w n far and near as " Mother Jamieson." T h e establishment was specially patronized by a not very fascinating, though lively, Cyprian, named Jenny M'Leod, and acquired a questionable popularity. T h e barman yvas a M r . T h o m a s Hodges, m u c h given to boasting of the confidential relations that subsisted between him and the elder Charles K e a n in the Mother-country, and by all accounts Hodges had, at some time, rendered himself useful to the great tragedian by polishing his boots, brushing his coat, or in some equally necessary domestic offices. AVhilst engaged in such menial attentions, either brush or boot-jack might have communicated some germs of contagion, for Hodges became partially stage-struck, and began whispering some of his theatrical musings in the ear of Jamieson. There yvas a certain method in his madness, for he succeeded in making Jamieson believe that in the establishment of a theatre he should discover a mine that would open to him a door to untold yvealth. T h e project yvas fully considered at several "cabinet" meetings attended by the landlord, " Mother " Jamieson, Jenny, and Hodges, and it yvas at length resolved to start a theatre—Hodges to be the ostensible proprietor, and Jamieson to supply most, if not the entire, sineyvs of war. In January, 1841, it was publicly announced that a yvooden theatre, or pavilion, yvas to be erected. Its dimensions were to be 65 feet by 35 feet, the s u m of £ 1 0 0 0 yvas to be expended on its construction, and it was to be completed in two months ; but it yvas not until the end of February that the foundation was laid. T h efinishingtouch was at length put to the Pavilion, which stood on the centre of the ground now occupied by ths Spanish Restaurant and Hosie's Scotch Pie Shop, and it yvas one of the queerest fabrics imaginable. AVhenever the wind was high it would rock like an old collier at sea, and it was difficult to account for it not heeling over in a gale. T h e public entrance from Bourke Street was up half-a-dozen creaking steps ; and the further ascent to the " dress circle," and a circular row of small pens known as upper boxes o'r gallery, was by a ladder-like staircase of a very unstable description. Internally it yvas lighted by tin sconces, nailed at intervals to the boarding,filledwith guttering candles,flickeringwith a dim and sickly glare. A swing lamp and wax tapers were afterwards substituted, and the immunity of the place EE
2
