In a word, he dipped himself so far in these literary amusements,
that he took the management of the pit into his direction, putting
himself at the head of those critics who call themselves the town; and
in that capacity chastised several players, who had been rendered
insolent and refractory by unmerited success. As for the new
productions of the stage, though generally unspirited and insipid,
they always enjoyed the benefit of his influence and protection;
because he never disliked the performance so much as he sympathized
with the poor author, who stood behind the scenes in the most dreadful
suspense, trembling, as it were, on the very brink of damnation.
Yet, though he extended his generosity and compassion to the humble
and needy, he never let slip one opportunity of mortifying villainy
and arrogance. Had the executive power of the legislature been
vested in him, he would have doubtless devised strange species of
punishment for all offenders against humanity and decorum; but,
restricted as he was, he employed his invention in subjecting them
to the ridicule and contempt of their fellow-subjects.
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