The proprietors, after their bitter experience of the previous year, felt that, however right they might be, they could not contend against the _force majeure_ of the mob; and, on the 16th of September, they pledged themselves “that next season (when they will again have returned into their possession) the eight annual boxes shall be given up, and let to the public, at large, as nightly boxes.” It was no use; that night the row was as bad as ever; and, after that performance, the theatre was closed to make the alterations in the boxes, which were thrown open to the public. The theatre was re-opened on the 24th of September, and the performances passed off without interruption. And so ended the eventful O. P. Riots. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER XLI. “The Pic-nic Club”—Its supporters—Its entertainment—Its short life—Automata and wool pictures—Almack’s—Pidcock’s Menagerie—“The Invisible Girl”—Vauxhall—Sir Roger de Coverley—Price of admission, &c.—Ranelagh Gardens. THE THEATRE, although the main source of amusement, was not the only one. There were masquerades at the Pantheon, and a private theatrical club, called the “Pic-nic Club,” of which a Captain Caulfield was the manager. Lady Buckinghamshire—foremost in this, as in gaming—was one of its chief supporters; and it took its name from every one drawing lots, as to what should be his, or her, share of the entertainment. This club consisted of the leaders of fashion—the Prince of Wales, Lords Cholmondeley, Valletort, Carlisle, Spooner, Kirkcudbright, and Derby; and, of course, “old Q,” the Duke of Queensberry. Sir Lumley Skeffington, also, was an ornament to the society; whilst the lady members besides Lady Albina Buckinghamshire, numbered in their ranks, Lady Salisbury, Lady Jersey, and Mrs. Fitzherbert. It was _crême de la crême_, and I find them chronicled in the _Morning Herald_ of March 16, 1802, thus: “The _Pic-nic_ Club met last night for the first time, in the Tottenham Street Rooms.[63] The Entertainment commenced with a Prologue by Colonel Greville, which was followed by a French Proverb. An Act of the _Bedlamites_, a piece translated from the French, for the occasion, was then performed. A French Proverb, and an Epilogue, succeeded; and the whole succeeded with a _Pic-nic_ Supper, provided from a tavern.[64] The company was not numerous, though 300 cards of invitation were issued. Madame Parisot,[65] disapproving of the _dilettanti_ project, refused to take any part in the performance. It being apprehended that the public peace might be disturbed by this irregular assemblage, the Bow Street officers held themselves in readiness to act, during the whole of the evening, but happily there was no occasion for their services.” The society afterwards moved to the Argyle Rooms, then most highly proper, and fashionable. There were several caricatures of this society from Gillray’s pencil, one of which (the next illustration) I reproduce.