Even nowadays the appearance of a servant on the stage for the necessary purposes of the performance--to carry chairs on or off, to spread or remove a carpet, &c .-- is frequently the signal for cries of derision from the gallery.

Of old the audience proceeded to greater extremities--even to hurling missiles of various kinds at the unfortunate candle-snuffer.

In Foote's comedy of "The Minor," Shift, one of the characters, describes the changing scenes of his life.

From a linkboy outside a travelling theatre he was promoted to employment within.

"I did the honours of the barn," he says, "by sweeping the stage and clipping the candles.