The present magnificent arched entrance from the Piazza's with columns and enrichments of the Ionic order was erected in the above year. The newspapers mention the Theatre as completely finished in November, and that it was to be opened on the 27th of that month, when the following lines made their appearance. "Thespis, the first of the dramatic race, Stroll'd in a cart, for gain, from place to place: His actors rude, his profits came but slow; The poet he, and master of the show; To raise attention, he employ'd his art To build another, and more costly cart: New Asses he procur'd to drag the load, And gain'd the shouts of boys upon the road. Awhile the gay machine spectators drew; The people throng'd, because the sight was new; Thither they hurry'd once, and went no more, For all his actors they had seen before; And what it was they wish'd no more to see: The application _Lun_ is left to thee." There is some difference in our manner of resenting affronts offered to the publick or individuals, by those on the stage at present, from the mode adopted by Sir Robert Walpole in March 1733, who was present at the pantomimic entertainment, called "Love runs all dangers," performed at the Theatre in the Haymarket; when one of the Comedians presumed to hint at the Minister's intended Excise Act. At the conclusion of the performance his Lordship went behind the scenes, and demanded of the prompter whether the offensive words were part of the play: upon receiving an assurance they were not, he gave the actor a severe beating. It has been mentioned in the third volume of "Londinium Redivivum," that the Princess Amelia rendered the New Tunbridge Wells a place of fashionable resort by drinking the water there for the restoration of her health; a wag made the following poetical queries in the year 1733: "Whence comes it that the splendid great, To titles born and awful state, Thus condescend, thus check their will, And shape to Islington their way, To mix with those of vulgar clay? Astronomers, your glasses raise, Survey this meteor's dazzling blaze, And say portends it good or ill? Soon as Aurora gilds the skies, With brighter charms the ladies rise, To dart forth beams that save or kill: No homage at the toilette paid, Their thousand beauties unsurvey'd, Sweet negligence assistance lends, And all the artless graces blends That form the tempting dishabille. Behold the walks (a checquer'd shade) In all the pride of green array'd; How bright the Sun! the air how still! In wild confusion there we view, Red ribbands group'd with aprons blue, Curtsies, scrapes, nods, winks, smiles, and frowns, Lords, milk-maids, dutchesses, and clowns, All in their various dishabille!"