Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1885 — The Tailors Did Not Like It. [ARTICLE]

The Tailors Did Not Like It.

In 1767 Foote had produced a burlesque, the author of which has never been discovered, entitled “The Tailors; tc Tragedy for Warm Weather.” Dowton announced the revival of this piece for his benefit. As the title implies, it was a satire upon the sartorial craft, and upon the bills being issued an indignation meeting was convened among the knights of the needle, who vowed to oppose the performance by might and main. Menacing letters were sent to Dowton telling him that 17,000 tailors would attend to hiss the piece, and one who signed himself “Death” added that 10,000 more could be found if necessary. These threats were laughed at by the actors; but when night came it was discovered that the craft were in earnest, and that, with few exceptions, they had contrived to secure every seat in the house, while a mob outside still squeezed for admission. The moment Dowton appeared upon the stage there rose a hideous uproar, and some one threw a pair of shears at him. Not a word would the rioters listen to, nor would they accept any compromise in the way of changing the piece. Within howled and hissed without intermission hundreds of exasperated tailors; outside howled and bellowed thousands of raging tailors, who attempted to storm the house. So formidable did the riot wax that a magistrate had to be sent for tad constables called out, but these were helpless against overwhelming odds, so’ a troop of Life Guards was ultimately summoned, who after making sixteen prisoners put the rest to flight.—Belgrama.