[26] GEORGE ALEXANDER STEVENS the lecturer, not the Macaroni editor of
Shakespeare.
[27] What formidable rivals to the immortal ROSCIUS? Harlequin,
Scaramouch, Chimney-sweeper, Bass-viol, Astrologer, Child, Statue and
Parrot! But ROSCIUS having received a formal challenge from Mr. Punch
and his merry family, a pitch'd-battle, for which great preparations
are now making, will be fought between them next winter; when there is
no doubt but the triumphant ROSCIUS will, even at their own weapons,
rout them all. There is the less reason to fear this, as he hath
already exceeded even Mr.---- 's activity in King Richard. It is but
three or four years ago since this mock-monarch died so tamely that he
was hissed off the stage; on which occasion the following epigram
appeared in the papers.