Note 80 — Epigrammes.
Reading edition
Probably most readers are aware that it was formerly the custom of gallants to smoke tobacco on the stage, during the performance, either lying on the rushes or sitting upon hired stools. D. [In Hutton's 'Satyres' and 'Epigrams' (1619) well edited by Rimbault for the Percy Society, there are various passages illustrative of above, e.g.
"Dine with Duke Humfrey in decayed Paules" Confound the streetes with chaos of old braules, Dancing attendance on the Black-friers stage Call for a stoole with a commanding rage, &c. [pp. 68, 69.] Cf.
Also Ben Jonson's Devil is an Ass (1616) who censures the conduct of the gallants allowed seats on the stage. G.