*p1758 03 29 cg The Siege of Damascus. Phocyas-Barry; Eumenes-Ryan; Herbis-Gibson; Caled-Sparks; Abudah-Ridout; Daran-Anderson; Eudocia-Mrs Bellamy.*a1758 03 29 cg The Anniversary : Being a Sequel to <i>Lethe</i>. Parts-Ryan, Shuter, Dunstall, Baker, Costollo, Wignel, Mrs Green, Mrs Pitt, Mrs Chambers. [Parts in <i>Larpent MS 144</i>: <i>Aesop</i>r , <i>Charon</i>r , <i>Mercury</i>r , <i>Lady</i>r , <i>Captain</i>r , <i>Gentleman</i>r , <i>Wife</i>r . <i>Reynard</i>r , <i>Wolf</i>r , <i>Tyger</i>r crossed out.]*d1758 03 29 cg <i>SSicilian Peasants</i>, ^as17571217^; <i>Fingalian Dance</i>, by Desire, ^as17571013^.*c1758 03 29 cg A Free Benefit for $Ryan=. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late $Mr Hughes=. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [$Ryan= had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be <i>The Siege of Damascus</i> and a new Dramatic Satire called <i>The Anniversary</i>, being a Sequel to <i>Lethe</i>. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the <i>Public Advertiser</i>: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the <i>Siege of Damascus</i> and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but $Ryan= judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of <i>Lethe</i>; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."]