Event Comment: RRylands MS.: Benefit for Numberers &c, Mrs Marshall, Miss Lee, Miss Budgell, Miss Wright, Miss Cole, and Mr Walker. Tickets deliver'd out by Edwards, Owen, Brooks, Rumball, and others will be taken. Receipts: #120

Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Duke, and the Princesses Amelia, Caroline, and Louisa. Daily Advertiser: This evening their Royal Highnesses...will go to the theatre...to see the Comedy of the Committee, or the Faithful Irishman, and Dancing by Signior Brunoro, &c, being the first time of his appearing at that theatre

Event Comment: Benefit Chiaretta Aquilanti. B the particular desire of several Ladies of Quality. [A poor Benefit (Winston MS.).] Tickets and places to be had of Hobson, &c; and at Mr Garnier's, a Jeweller, in Bow St

Event Comment: To the Publick: Ladies and Gentleman, The Play of Othello, with Dancing by Cooke, Picq, Delamain, and Les Damoiselles Anne and Janneton Auretti, &c., being to be acted for my benefit on Monday next, at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden; and having accidentally heard that a certain person being possess'd of a great quantity of my tickets, has some thoughts of getting them up to a considerable premium, I out of meer Friendship, not at all with regard to my own interest (if you'll believe me) do privately and secretly, in this public manner, advise you, to send away to my house, the corner of Bow St. near the said theatre, where I will oblige you with what number of tickets you please, at Par, to within an Hour of the Play's beginning. I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your most obedient and humble servant, Tho. Chapman

Event Comment: Benefit Rivers, Sadler, Trott. Tickets deliver'd out by Quay, Connor, Randall, &c will be taken

Event Comment: On Tuesday next will be presented The Relapse, or Virtue in Danger, the part of Lord Foppington to be perform'd by Mrs. Cibber. [This day appeared in the papers an account of the salaries of present-day actors compared with those in the time of Wilkes and Betterton, suggesting great overpayment of Garrick, Macklin, &c. This, according to Mrs Clive (Case, p. 8) was a false account.

Event Comment: Advertisement by Mr Leveridge. To be sung to the tune of A Cobler there was, and he lived in a stall." [See 3 and 17 April.] I. Observing the papers for several days@Fill's up with a number of Benefit plays@My Muse smiling said, Dick, it will not be wrong@To sound an advertisement in Merry song,@Derry, down, down, down, derry down.@ II. And thus now I raised up my voice to the town@To move Your kind thoughts against My Day comes on@And then with your favours my play to promote,@That Leveridge may sing (when he offers his note)@Derry down, &c

Event Comment: Mainpiece Written by the late Mr Congreve. Benefit Mrs Mills. Tickets to be had of Mills at his house in Nassau St., Soho. To the Author of the General Advertiser: It is with great Pleasure I find by the Publick Papers that a tragedy founded on Voltaire's Mahomet is now in rehearsal at Drury Lane Theatre. The Original was by Authority forbid to be played in France on account of the free and noble sentiments with regard to Bigotry and Enthusiasm, which shine through it; and which that Nation found as applicable to itself, as to the bloody propagators of Mahomet's Religion. Indeed the Fable on which it is built demanded such sentiments; the design of it being to shew the dreadful effects of Bigotry and Enthusiasm, even upon minds naturally well inclined when work'd up to such a pitch, as a beautiful concurrence of amazing, yet probable Circumstances hath there carried them to: So that it was equally impossible for the poet, by cutting and mangling his play, to lop it to their standard of Orthodox poetry, as it were for their Inquisitors, by torturing and burning a poor Protestant, to convince him of their Christian love and charity....They foresaw that the most obvious Reflection, that every sensible Spectator could not but make, would be, that he every day saw the same effects produced from two the most different causes, Mahometanism and Christianity; and the consequence must be, either that they were both alike Imposters, or that a crafty, mercenary, and cruel Clergy had dared to add a spirit to Christianity, which Christianity never knew. It is not doubted but these every Sentiments, which in France, prevented the Representation of this piece, will, in England speak loudly in its favor (providdd our English poet is not unequal to his subject) especially since so audacious an attempt has been lately made by the Common Enemy of Europe to establish at once a Civil and Spiritual Tyranny over those injur'd Nations, by the old Mohametan and Roman Arguments of Fire and Sword. I am, &c

Event Comment: Benefit for Hobson. Tickets and places of Hobson at the stage door of the Theatre. Presentment of the Grand Juryv for the County of Middlesex: We the Grand Jury sworn to enquire for our Sovereign Lord The King, and the body of this county, have observed from most of the presentments delivered to us by the Constables of this County, that they have been, as we apprehend and fear, very remiss in their duty, by returning their several districts to be quiet and in good order. Whereas the contrary does most manifestly appear, in many instances as well from the accounts or advertisements we read in the daily Papers, printed and dispersed within the County (inviting and seducing, not only the inhabitants, but also all other persons, to several places kept apart for the encouragement of Luxury, Extravagance, and Idleness, and we fear other wicked, illegal purposes, which by such means go on with impunity, to the destruction of many families) as otherwise to the great Dishonour of the Kingdom...especially at a time when we are engaged in expensive Wars, and so much overburdened with Taxes of all sorts, both Parliamentary and Parochial, that it is much as a prudent man can do, without a taste to extravagant and illegal pleasure to support himself and family according to his degree and station in life under the most regular economy. [If unchecked this bad example will lead to National destruction]. We do accordingly hereby present as places riotous, of great extravagance, luxury, idleness, and ill fame, the several house &c following: [lists two gambling houses, then the Proprietors of the avenues leading to the several playhouses for not preventing wicked loose and disorderly persons from loitering at the front of their several houses on nights of the play to the prejudice of playgoers.] 4. Saddlers Wells, near Islington; 5. New Wells, Goodman's Fields; 6. New Wells, Clerkenwell; 7. The Proprietors of a Place call'd Hallam's New Theatre at Mayfair. Prays that the court will close all listed. N.B. Many people believed that after this presentment, the places mentioned would be shut up or reformed, but they advertise and continue the same diversions as before.-Gentlemen's Magazine (May, 1744), pp. 278-79

Event Comment: Benefit Widow and Child of James Miller, the author. As the Play of to-night is entirely for mine and my children's Benefit, and was allotted (by the Manager) for that purpose a considerable time ago, has since been advertis'd in the Publick papers upwards of ten days, and the Boxes chiefly been taken by Ladies of Quality and Distinction, I humbly hope, as Charity and Humanity are my advocates, the Performance will be permitted without interruption. D. Miller.--General Advertiser. To Those who remained in the Pit in Drury Lane Playhouse on Thursday Evening, and were refus'd their money: GENTLEMEN: If you are sensible of the Insults that we receiv'd from the servants of the Manager (after we had remain'd orderly in the House expecting our money for the best part of an hour) being expos'd to the danger of our lives from several sticks, &c being thrown at us from the stage, and from the attack of Soldiers jumping into the Pit with their bayonets fix'd, you'll meet tomorrow several Gentlemen equally injur'd, at the Fountain Tavern in Catherine Street in the Strand, at two o'clock, as well as, Your most humble Servant, J. Johnston.--Daily Advertiser. [Daily Gazetteer contained a letter by Anti-Mimus on the manager's publication of reasons for his late extraordinary measures.

Event Comment: An Organ is Erected on the Occasion. Performance By Desire. Being the last time Mr Arne can have the Theatre to perform it this season. Mr Arne being inform'd that some persons have objected to the small addition of Prices, will (notwithstanding he performs at above #70 Expence) oblige the Town with this Performance at the Usual Benefit prices, viz: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. To begin at half an hour past Six. Tickets to be had of Arne Next door to the Crown &c. [see 20 March]

Event Comment: Benefit Bridges, Blakes and Cross, prompter. Afterpiece: By Desire. Mr Garrick's Indisposition continuing, we have, at the particular desire of several ladies, chang'd our play. Tickets deliver'd out for the Stratagem will be taken. [On this Day appeared the Daily Advertiser a full column presentment by the Court of Westminster to the Justices of the Peace against unlicensed players]: This court being inform'd that common Players of Interludes have for several years...assembled...in Mayfair to erect Booths and exhibit Drolls and Shews...whereby numbers of His Majesty's subjects have been encouraged to assemble and commit riots and other Misdemeanours in Breach of His Majesty's Peace, and to the disturbance of the Neighborhood, and that some of the players are and now contracting for ground in order to erect Sheds, Booths and other places...for shewing and acting plays...&c, &c, &c...for the more effectual suppressing of the evils aforesaid, it is hereby recommended unto his Majesty's Justices of the Peace to meet together at such time as they shall appoint in order to proceed according to the law against all such offenders as shall be brought before them by the peace officers, who are required to be aiding the Justice of the Peace. [The gist of the Presentment lies in the statement]: that they [the Justices] shall apprehend all and every other person and Persons who in any other place or places within the said City and Liberty shall act or represent for gain, any Tragedy, Comedy, Opera, Play, Interlude, Farce, or any other Entertainment for the stage

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser, Sir: Nothing but the Necessity of my Affairs could urge me to an address of this nature but having met with several unexpected and unavoidable misfortunes I beg leave to inform the Publick, through your means, that in order to extricate myself from my present difficulties, I have, by the indulgence of the Manager, obtain'd a Benefit before my Usual Time, which is to be the Careless Husband and the Devil to Pay on Saturday the 1st of March. As I have now put my Affairs into such a situation, that I think I shall never give the like trouble again, but at the proper time, I hope this notice will not be thought impertinent, or lessen those favours I have so often experienced, and which I am desirous of taking every opportunity to acknowledge, I am, Sir, &c W. Mills.--From dl Playhouse 8 Feb

Event Comment: Epilogue Of Thanks by Leveridge. Benefit Leveridge. Tune-A Cobler there was. /I The Many great favours I often have known/With greteful acknowledgment proudly I own,/Which prompts me to beg in this musical way,/The Grant of three hours at my Benefit play/Derry Down, &c/II Against which good time give me leave to express/My earnest desire in this humble address/That your wanted indulgence again may promote/Dick Leveridge's play with your Int'rest and Vote./Derry Down, &c/ Tickets to be had at Mr Leveridge's Lodgings in Hanover St, the third door on the Right Hand from Long-Acre, and of Page, at the stage door

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd out by Collins, Dickenson, Miss Royer, &c, and for The Fop's Fortune will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross, Mrs Bridges, Miss Young. The General Advertiser included the following Puff: Sir, As I am continually searching for latent Curiosities, out of a sincere regard for the Public Satisfaction, I think it my Duty (lest among the Multitude of Diversions now flourishing, some other might engross the attention of the Curious) to inform the world, that the Farce which will be perform'd this Evening at Drury Lane theatre, call'd May Day, or the Merry Milkmaids of Islington, was written by the particular desire of King Charles II who had it first performed at Newmarket; how agreeably that jovial Monarch was entertained, every person, who thinks it worth his while to see it, according to his abilities, will be a competent judge, Yours, &c A. Virtuoso. [Part of the Multitude of Diversions referred to included announcement in the same paper for a Rehearsal of the whole Band of Music at Ruckholt House, the following Monday; a paragraph Puff on the diversions at Sadler's Wells in consequence of the late happy Victory of the Duke of Cumberland over the Rebels, with special notice of a New Interlude of Music call'd Strephon's Return, or the British Hero, perform'd this night with many advantages of Dress and Decoration, and a new Ballet by Matthews; and further notice of the Representation of the Battle near Culloden House which had met with universal applause, and which would continue to be repeated at the New Wells in Goodman's Fields. The Farce at Drury Lane this evening was advertised as not having been played for 20 years. It was taken from Thomas Nabbes' Totenham Court Road, by the Compiler of the Muse of Newmarket, 1680. The MS Occasional Prologue praising Cumberland is in the Larpent Collection.

Event Comment: Benefit I. Sparks. Tickets deliver'd out by Lloyd, Mason, Caustin, &c will be taken, and tickets deliver'd out by Brooks, Bride, Mrs Barclay, Mrs Fenn, and others for the Country Wife for Thursday last will be taken this night. Being the last time of the Company's performing this season. [The advance notice of this night had included the Musical Entertainment of Neptune and Amphitrite (compos'd by Arne), but this is omitted from the notice of the day.

Event Comment: The General Sessions of the Peace for Middlesex again handed down complaint against the Fairs as greatly and directly tending to the encouragement of Vice, Immorality and Profaneness, and to the debauching and ruining of Apprentices, servants, laborers, &c as well as disturbing the public peace.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Fist Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No money to be taken behind the scenes. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Mr Page at the stage door of the theatre. To begin exactly at Six o'clock. [Balance brought over from Day Book F, #411 os. 7d. This balance actually represents a deficit from which the night's receipts are subtracted to indicate the reduction of it. But first, from the night's receipts, were subtracted #37 9s. 10d., an amount which seems to represent standing nightly costs for music, light, heat, taxes, &c.] Receipts: #115 8s