I must not conclude my narrative without taking notice of a
groundless report that has been raised to a gentleman's
disadvantage, of whom I must declare myself an admirer; namely, that
Signior Nicolini and the lion have been seen sitting peaceably by
one another, and smoking a pipe together behind the scenes; by which
their common enemies would insinuate that it is but a sham combat
which they represent upon the stage: but upon inquiry I find, that
if any such correspondence has passed between them, it was not till
the combat was over, when the lion was to be looked upon as dead
according to the received rules of the drama. Besides, this is what
is practised every day in Westminster Hall, where nothing is more
usual than to see a couple of lawyers, who have been tearing each
other to pieces in the court, embracing one another as soon as they
are out of it.
I would not be thought in any part of this relation to reflect upon
Signior Nicolini, who, in acting this part, only complies with the
wretched taste of his audience: he knows very well that the lion
has many more admirers than himself; as they say of the famous
equestrian statue on the Pont-Neuf at Paris, that more people go to
see the horse than the king who sits upon it.
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