These gentlemen are the amateurs--the _Richards_, _Shylocks_, _Beverleys_, and _Othellos_--the _Young Dorntons_, _Rovers_, _Captain Absolutes_, and _Charles Surfaces_--a private theatre.
See them at the neighbouring public-house or the theatrical coffee-shop! They are the kings of the place, supposing no real performers to be present; and roll about, hats on one side, and arms a-kimbo, as if they had actually come into possession of eighteen shillings a-week, and a share of a ticket night.

If one of them does but know an Astley's supernumerary he is a happy fellow.

The mingled air of envy and admiration with which his companions will regard him, as he converses familiarly with some mouldy-looking man in a fancy neckerchief, whose partially corked eyebrows, and half-rouged face, testify to the fact of his having just left the stage or the circle, sufficiently shows in what high admiration these public characters are held.
With the double view of guarding against the discovery of friends or employers, and enhancing the interest of an assumed character, by attaching a high-sounding name to its representative, these geniuses assume fictitious names, which are not the least amusing part of the play-bill of a private theatre.

Belville, Melville, Treville, Berkeley, Randolph, Byron, St.Clair, and so forth, are among the humblest; and the less imposing titles of Jenkins, Walker, Thomson, Barker, Solomons, &c., are completely laid aside.

There is something imposing in this, and it is an excellent apology for shabbiness into the bargain.