Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 16 years. [See 19 April 1751.] New Scenes, Machines, Decorations &c. The Characters dress'd in The Habits of the times. This Masque is very well got up with New Scenes & Decorations particularly a Representation of the Grand Naval Review design'd by Mons DeLoutherberg & vastly well Executed had great Applause the piece is very dull (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid five day's salary at #86 13s. 10d. per diem, #433 9s. 2d.; Miss Younge 6 days not on the list #1; Mr Courtney 3 days not on list 7s. 6d.; Mr J. French on Act #10 (Treasurer's Book). The Songs, Chorusses, &c. in the Masque (in the order they are now performed) to be had at the Theatre. The Music by Dr Arne and other masters (playbill). Receipts: #158 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Books of the Masque to be had at the Theatre. Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s.; Mr Vernon on note #28 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #110 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The proprietors of the Opera House think it is their duty to lay before the Nobility and Gentry to whose patronage they are highly endebted a list of the engagements made for the ensuing season. [No attention or expense spared to make the operas brilliant. Gordon spent two months in Italy, and made two trips to Paris to select the best singers and dancers.] The ill health of Sg Carabaldi having prevented his setting out in time and made it impossible for him to be here at the opening of the theatre. Sg Scheroli, the Tenor who has played the first Buffo with the greatest reputation in Italy, has kindly undertaken to play the part until his arrival. Company: Serious Opera-Millico, Mrs Davies, Scheroli (Tenor), Sga Galli, Sga Lodi. Comic Opera-Carabaldi, Scheroli, Sga Marchetti, Sga Galli, Fochetti, Sga Lodi, Sga Gardi. Poet-Sg Badini. Master of the Dances-Petro. Principal Dancers-Fierville, Pico, Vicenzo Lorenzo, Bocchini, Mariottini, Sga Mimi Faviere, Sga Mazzoni, Sga Nina Faviere, Colomba (from Milan), Mr Canter. Book-Boxkeeper-Yates. [Requests nobility and subscribers to pay up their subscriptions.

Event Comment: Paid half year's Poor's Rate for theatre due Mich last #24 15s. 10d., and ditto for House in Bow Passage 17s. 9d. Paid Palmer (wax chandler) #46 8s. Receipts: #136 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Music of Afterpiece by Monsigny, Phillidor, and Dibdin. Books of songs at Theatre. The Farce was well rec'd the Music is very pretty. rather too long--much applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Receipts: #183 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 25 Jan. 1772.] [Brown identified by Kemble note on playbill. Macklin no longer appears on the playlist. This day is published at 1s. 6d. The Duellist</i>, a Comedy, as it was represented at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden. To which is prefixed a concise Narrative of the very Extraordinary Circumstances attending its Reception. T. Evans Bookseller.] Receipts: #188 1s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A Comic Opera altered [by Colman] from Gay. The Music entirely new by Dr Arne. Now acted for the first time in 2 Acts. [The 1776 Edition in Bell's British Theatre lists: Achilles-stall; Ulysses-$Owenson; Diomedes-$Fox; Argytes-$Baker; Deidamia-$Mrs Mattocks; Artemona-$Miss Brown; Philoe-$Miss Valois; Thetis-$Miss Catley. [$Miss Pearce">Mattocks; Peripas-$Reinhold; Lycomedes-$DuBellamy; Diphilus-$Dyer; Ajax-$Dunstall; Ulysses-$Owenson; Diomedes-$Fox; Argytes-$Baker; Deidamia-$Mrs Mattocks; Artemona-$Miss Brown; Philoe-$Miss Valois; Thetis-$Miss Catley. [$Miss Pearce may have played Lesbia).] Paid Banks for the Head of a Figure used in The Fair #1 1s.; Paid Mr Gard for performing 5 nights in the Fair and 3 in the Sorcerer #1. Paid Joseph Besford for performing 5 nights in the Fair 12s. 6d. (Account Book). [Afterpiece unfavorably reviewed in the Westminster Magazine.] Receipts: #149 18s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: King not being sufficiently recover'd the School for Wives deferr'd. Paid half year's rent to the Duke of Bedford to Mich. last #165 2d.; Insurance of theatre and New Building to Christmas 1774 from this day #51 10s. 6d.; Mr G. Garrick on acct #100. Receipts: #183 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Paid Pattinson (tallow chandler) #35 10s., and Evans for Spermecetti candles #14 8s. Receipts: #143 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Receipts: #86 (Account Book). Charges #81 15s. Profit to Society #4 5s., plus #106 17s. from tickets (Box 242; Pit 309) (Account Book). Benefit for Use of the Society at the Thatched-House Tavern For the release and discharge of persons imprisoned for small debts. [The Epilogue was written by Cumberland. (See Folger Library Theatrical Clippings). The Curtain rises and discovers a prison; at some distance a woman, poorly habited, and in a disconsolate attitude; after standing some time montionless, in a posture of fixed attention she speaks]: @Woman: Thou loathsome dungeon in whose dreary womb@The pining Debtor finds a living tomb;@Where 'midst the Clank of Chains and Dismal yells@Of shakled felons my sad husband dwells;@From his dark cell, oh give him to my view!@Let him look forth and take a last adieu.@ [As she advances towards the prison, a person in Gentleman's apparel accosts her.] @Man: Stay, Child of Sorrow, thou whose piercing groans@Might move to pity e'en these senseless stones.@Why dost thou bend thy melancholy way@To that Drear Dungeon? Child of Sorrow stay.@Woman: Why should I stay, or my sad Griefs impart?@Can there be pity in a Human heart?@Away and let me die.@ [...The Man suggests a Human heart can have pity] @Woman: If there be such, O lead me to their sight,@And let me plead a wretched sufferer's right:@Can there be Truth, Humanity or Sense@In laws that make Misfortune an offence?@ [Her husband was a God-fearing weaver who fell ill for 10 weeks, lost his job and was seized upon by a relentless creditor.] @Steel'd to their trade, and deaf to all our cries,@Relentless ruffians seize their legal prize;@From my fond arms a dying Husband tear@And plunge their victims in a dungeon there!@Man: Enough! go speak the healing words of peace@To thy sad mate, and bear him this release;@Tell him the Muse, which on these Scenes attend@That balsam to his wounded spirit sends.@And Know this Truth thyself, 'tis not alone@The Preacher's pulpit and the Monarch's throne@That Charity frequents; but in this age,@She guides the Theatre and treads the stage;@Lo! She is present, cast your eyes around,@And here in each Spectator's heart she's found.

Event Comment: Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Paid Mr Jenkins Ext. Trumpet 8 nights in Alfred #4 4s.; Chorus 2 nights (This incl.) #3 11s.; Taylor's bill for dinners for men #3 9s. 11d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime (never performed). The Music entirely new, by Fisher, New Scenes, Machines, Dresses, and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. [The note about full prices and availability of books of songs, &c. accompanies each subsequent bill for Sylphs this season. The Westminster Magazine (Jan. 1774) fears the afterpiece may have been composed by Woodward. The reviewer recounts the story in some detail, likes the paintings and scenery, but states categorically: "We do not hesitate to pronounce it the worst Harlequin entertainment we remember to have seen...The music too is very insipid and pilfered from other masters."] Receipts: #237 3s. 2d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Catley, being the last time, but one, of her performing this season. Box, Pit and Gallery Tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. Charges #65 6s. Profit to Miss Catley #136 5s.; plus #67 11s. from tickets (Box 232; Pit 49; Gallery 22). Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s., Watch rate #14 11s. 8d., and half year's paving rate due Mich. last #26 5s. Paid Recor's rate (one year's due Xmas last) for House in Bow Passage, 6s. 3d, and watch rate for ditto 10s. 8d. Receipts: #201 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Payments: Mr D. Garrick's 3 Nights for the Christmas Tale, 30 Dec., 4 & 11 Jan., #84 charges deducted each night--#371 14s. (Treasurer's Book). At Isleworth, James Lacy, Esq.: one of the patentees of Drury Lane Theatre died (Gentleman's Magazine, 44, p. 47). [For full account of Lacy, see Covent Garden Magazine (229-34).] Rec'd of Mr Burges, 1 yrs. rent to Xmas last (#4 4s. King's Tax deducted) #16 16s.; Paid Mr Cropley (linen draper) 2 Bills #66 10s. 6d.; Mr Scott (laceman) #66 1s.; Messrs Lowe & Co. (glaziers) #18 6s.; Mr Burges (bricklayer) #65 8s.; Mr Waller (hosier) #24 5s.; Messrs Barrow & Co., oil, #53 7s. 6d.; Messrs Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #30 11s.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) 2 bills, #14 10s. 6d.; Mr Hatsell (mercer) 3 bills, #120 11s.; Mr J. French's draft to Mr Wise #5 10s.; Mr J. Johnston's Music Bill #24 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #246 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Sunday 30 Jan-Saturday last died James Love, Comedian, Master of Edinburg Theatre, late of Drury Lane. Was educated at Westminster School and went from there to Cambridge (Winston MS 10). Rec'd stopages #19 19s. 6d.; Paid salary list #529 2s.; Mr King's extra salary #3. Receipts: #183 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)