in the whole, they did not amount to more than had been allowed for
many Years, when the Theatre was under a frugal and exact Regulation;
when the Managers punctually fulfilled, not only all Engagements to
their Actors, but to every other Perſon concerned in the Theatre, and
raiſed very conſiderable Fortunes for themſelves.

But ſuppoſing the Expence of the Theatre too high, I am very certain it
was not the Actors refuſing to ſubmit to a proper Reduction of them,
which made ſo many of them quit the Stage, but from great Hardſhips they
underwent, and greater which they feared would happen from an Agreement
ſuppoſed to be concluded betwixt the two Managers, which made 'em
apprehend, that if they Å¿ubmitted to act under Å¿uch Agreements, they
muſt be abſolutely in the Managers Power; and the Event has proved that
their Fears were not ill-grounded, as I doubt not but I Å¿hall make
appear.

When the Actors Affairs obliged 'em to return to the Theatres laſt
Winter, under Å¿uch Abatements of their Salaries as hardly afforded the
greater Part of them a Subſiſtence, I was offered, by the Manager of
_Drury-Lane_ Theatre, Å¿uch Terms as bore no Proportion to what he gave
other Performers, or to thoſe he had offered me at the beginning of the
Seaſon. They were ſuch as I was adviſ'd not to accept, becauſe it was
known they were propoſed for no reaſon but to inſult me, and make me
Å¿eek for better at the other Theatre; for I knew it had been Å¿ettled, by
Å¿ome dark Agreement, that Part of the Actors were to go to
_Covent-Garden_ Theatre, and others to _Drury-Lane_; I did, indeed,
apprehend I ſhould meet with better Terms at _Covent-Garden_, becauſe
that Manager had made many Overtures to get me into his Company the
preceding Seaſon, and many times before: But when I apply'd to him, he
offered me exactly the ſame which I had refuſed at the other Theatre,