at covent garden a new comic opera by hook, "the fair peruvian", in march 1786, featured bannister opposite the excellent mrs billington, who became suddenly ill during the performance. a different play being offered, bannister, by winning a laugh, managed to placate a turbulent audience. bannister was identified with many songs which were never bettered than in his performance of them. 'among them may be named: "her mouth which a smile", in "rosina"; "while happy in my native land", in "the election"; "brave admiral benbow"; "to anacreon in heaven"; "when bibo went down to the regions below"; and above all, and never to be equalled or forgotten, "stand to your guns, my hearts of oak!" in this song, his diminuendo while giving the command, "reserve your fire" – and, "not yet, nor yet," followed by the tremendous burst of his powerful voice, in the word "fire!" produced an electrifying and appalling effect.'