Cibber speaks of this proceeding on the part of Rich as the lowest expedient to ingratiate his company in public favour.

Alarmed by the preference evinced by the town for the rival theatre in Drury Lane, Rich conceived that this new privilege would incline the servants to give his house "a good word in the respective families they belonged to," and, further, that it would greatly increase the applause awarded to his performances.

In this respect his plan seems to have succeeded very well.
Cibber relates that "it often thundered from the full gallery above, while the thin pit and boxes below were in the utmost serenity." He proceeds to add, however, that the privilege, which from custom ripened into right, became the most disgraceful nuisance that ever depreciated the theatre.

"How often," he exclaims, "have the most polite audiences in the most affecting scenes of the best plays been disturbed and insulted by the noise and clamour of these savage spectators!" The example set by Rich seems to have been soon followed by other managers.

For many years the right of the footmen to occupy the upper gallery without payment was unchallenged.