In 1737, however, Mr.
Fleetwood, manager of Drury Lane Theatre, announced his determination to put an end to a privilege which it was generally felt had grown into a serious nuisance.

A threatening letter was sent to him, which he answered by offering a reward of fifty guineas for the discovery of its author or authors.

The letter is given in full in Malcolm's "Anecdotes of London," 1810: "SIR,--We are willing to admonish you before we attempt our design; and, provided you will use us civil and admit us into your gallery, which is our property according to Formalities; and if you think proper to come to a composition this way, you'll hear no further; and if not, our intention is to join a body _incognito_, and reduce the playhouse to the ground .-- We are, INDEMNIFIED." A riot of an alarming nature followed.

The footmen, denied admission to their own gallery, as they regarded it, assembled in a body of three hundred, and, armed with offensive weapons, broke into the theatre, and, taking forcible possession of the stage, wounded some twenty-five persons who had opposed their entrance.

Great confusion prevailed.