And yet it was
long after that--
"Edward Kynaston died (in 1712). He lies buried in the churchyard of
St. Paul's, Covent Garden. If not the greatest actor of his day,
Kynaston was the greatest of the 'boy-actresses.' So exalted was his
reputation 'that,' says Downes, 'it has since been disputable among
the judicious, whether any woman that succeeded him so sensibly
touched the audience as he.'"
In Charles II.'s time it was a custom to return the price of
admission to all persons who left the theatre before the close of the
first act. Consequently, many shabby persons were wont to force
their way in without paying, on the plea that they did not intend to
remain beyond the time limited. Hence much noisy contention, to the
great discomfort even of Royalty. The brawling, drinking habits of
the time were even more discomforting. An angry word, passed one
April evening of 1682 between the son of Sir Edward Dering and a hot-
blooded young [85] Welshman, led to recrimination and sword-drawing.
The two young fellows not having elbow-room in the pit, clambered on
to the stage, and fought there, to the greater comfort of the
audience, and with a more excited fury on the part of the combatants.
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