Afterthefallofthecurtain，Mr。Leigh，withanothergentleman，againspoke，complainingbitterlyoftheintroductionoftheprize-fighters，andexhortingthepublicnevertogivein。Mr。Kemblewasagaincalledforward；butwhenhecame，thefulltideofdiscordransostronglyagainsthimthat，beingtotallyunabletostemit，hewithdrew。EachmanseemedtoshoutasifhehadbeenaStentor；andwhenhislungswerewearied，tooktohisfeetandstamped，tillalltheblackcoatsinhisvicinitybecamegreywithdust。Atlasttheaudienceweretiredout，andthetheatrewasclosedbeforeeleveno’clock。
Fifthnight——TheplaywasColeman’samusingcomedyof“JohnBull。“Therewasnodiminutionoftheuproar。Everynoteonthediapasonofdiscordwasrunthrough。Theprize-fighters，orhititesastheywerecalled，musteredinconsiderablenumbers，andthebattlesbetweenthemandthepititeswerefierceandmany。Itwasnow，forthefirsttime，thatthelettersO。P。cameintogeneraluseasanabbreviationoftheaccustomedwatchwordofoldprices。Severalplacardswerethusinscribed；and，asbrevityissodesirableinshouting，themobadoptedtheemendation。Asusual，themanagerwascalledfor。Aftersomedelayhecameforward，andwaslistenedtowithconsiderablepatience。Herepeated，inrespectfulterms，thegreatlossthatwouldbeoccasionedtotheproprietorsbyareturntotheoldprices，andofferedtosubmitastatementoftheiraccountstotheeminentlawyers，SirVicaryGibbsandSirThomasPlumer；theeminentmerchants，SirFrancisBaringandMr。Angerstein；andMr。Whitmore，theGovernoroftheBankofEngland。Bytheirdecisionastothepossibilityofcarryingonthetheatreattheoldprices，hewouldconsenttobegoverned，andhehopedthepublicwoulddothesame。
Thisreasonablepropositionwasscoutedimmediately。Noteventhehighandreputablenameshehadmentionedwerethoughttoaffordanyguaranteeforimpartiality。Thepititesweretoowrong-headedtoabateoneiotaoftheirpretensions；andtheyhadbeentoomuchinsultedbytheprize-fightersinthemanager’spay，toshowanyconsiderationforhim，oragreetoanytermshemightpropose。Theywantedfullacquiescence，andnothingless。Thustheconferencebrokeoff，andthemanagerretiredamidastormofhisses。
AnIrishgentleman，namedO’Reilly，thenstoodupinoneoftheboxes。WithtrueIrishgallantry，hecametotherescueofanill-usedlady。HesaidhewasdisgustedattheattacksmadeuponMadameCatalani，thefinestsingerintheworld，andaladyinestimableinprivatelife。Itwasunjust，unmanly，andun-Englishtomaketheinnocentsufferfortheguilty；andhehopedthisblotwouldbenolongerallowedtostainafaircause。Astothequarrelwiththemanager，herecommendedthemtopersevere。Theywerenotonlywrongedbyhisincreasedprices，butinsultedbyhisboxers，andhehoped，thatbeforetheyhaddonewithhim，theywouldteachhimalessonhewouldnotsoonforget。ThegallantHiberniansoonbecameafavourite，andsatdownamidloudcheers。
Sixthnight-Nosignsofacessationofhostilitiesontheoneside，orofareturntotheoldpricesontheother。Theplaygoersseemedtogrowmoreunitedasthemanagersgrewmoreobstinate。Theactorshadbyfarthebesttimeofit；fortheyweresparednearlyallthelabouroftheirparts，andmerelystruttedonthestagetoseehowmatterswenton，andthenstruttedoffagain。NotwithstandingtheremonstranceofMr。O’Reillyonthepreviousnight，numerousplacardsreflectinguponMadameCatalaniwereexhibited。Onewasinscribedwiththefollowingdoggrel:-
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