Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Tickets to be had of Shuter at Number 2, in Martlet Court, Bow St. Covent Garden; and of Mr Sarjant, Book-Keeper. Charges: #65 2s. [Profits to Shuter #150 6d., plus #70 11s. from tickets (Box 233; Pit 82).] Paid Miss Elliott the balance of her two nights Jan. 13 and Feb. 18, #90 13s. 6d. and gave her as a present from the managers by deducting the charge of the Farce for her 2nd night, Feb. 18th, #21 (Account Book). Receipts: #215 2s. 6d. (Account Book). About 5 with great difficulty got into the Pit at Covent Garden to see...the benefit for Mr Shuter. Stood all night at the bottom of the Pit in a most disagreeable situation, though I saw very well and heard too, unless when prevented by the noise on occasion of which Shuter very smartly applied the Passage, But if we all speak together, how shall we hear one another," and again when a great noise was made about someone in the Gallery, he cried 'Give him a knock o' the head and make him quiet,' and another bawling Silence," he cried Silence, Silence why don't you be quiet.'At the end of Act II, the Cries of London', with additions by Shuter. In going off he shook his head on hearing it encored, but was oblig'd to comply by repeating the greater part. End of Opera Shuter entertained us with his Serious, Comic Post-Haste Observations in his Journey to Paris, to hear which was a principal reason of my not dining at Holliss's. The Barber in the Upholsterer inimitably played by Woodward (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire of several persons of Distinction, to be added for that night only. Neville MS Diary: Covent Garden Theatre after being shut up for the season was open'd tonight as a high favour to Shuter...Before [the farce] the Gods having call'd for the Music to play Roast Beef, would not suffer the play to begin till their request was complied with. They pelted Davies and Hull, who appeared first, with orange skins, crying Off, Off'...Glad Shuter had a good house. He is an excellent comedian and is said to have a good heart. [The income for this night not listed in the Account Books. On 10 June however, the treasurer received from Shuter #10 'for the renters for the night of his benefit," and #1 13s. 9d. for oyl that night. On 20 July the treasurer received from Shuter #43 15s. for tickets for his first benefit, and #1 4s. 1 1!2d. in money, along with #20 for his second benefit." On July 22, the treasurer paid "to sundry Creditors of Mr Shuter as per Receipt Books #245 4s. 1 1!2d., and to Mr Wilford by order of Shuter #60, and to Beard #26 16s." N.B. On Wednesday 1 July The sum of #60,000 was this day paid down for the purchase of the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, pursuant to agreement. The patentees are Messieurs Colman, Harris, Rutherford and Powell"--Gentleman's Magazine, p. 379.

Event Comment: At Shuter's Booth, George Yard. At Shuter's Warehouse [in advance notices]; At Shuter's Theatrical Microcosm. [The English Mirror is not the name of a play.] Mr Shuter begs leave to acquaint the Public that his English Mirror is highly polished, and he hopes it will give the greatest Satisfaction, especially as it is the true English Manufacture reflecting the most striking Views of Modern Times and National Glory. He would be very far from imposing upon the Inhabitants of this great Metropolis, and, unconscious of a Puff, he takes upon him to say that the Gay and Learned will find his Piece ornamented with a Festoon of Flowers gathered by an admitted Genius on the Banks of Avon and enriched with Wreaths twined by the Fingers of the Muses. Here it may be said Pomona has given the Apple Wit, in which every agreeable Flavour is combined, and Bacchusr has sent a Store of genuine Falernian from a Receipt which anciently belonged to Homer, and has lately been discovered with the Ruins of Herculaneum. In fact we shall give a new Exhiliration to Mirth, and dilate the Sides of Laughter, make Vice bleed under the corrective Lash, and give a Lecture that shall stimulate Virtue to pursue the Road of Happiness. [Repeated.

Event Comment: Neville MS Diary: Shuter is a comical dog, a disturbance arising among the gods, he was obliged to stop and looking up to the Gallery asked, Well, are all affairs settled above?" During the noise Filch went off after singing--the gods encored the song. Shuter said You have frightened him so that he has lost his voice" but beckoning to Weston to return and sing. Weston steals Doll Trapes scarf in a new manner; he makes her drop it, etc. and pretending to do something about his knee, till she is out of sight, takes it up, saying I take it with all my spirit. When Macheath went to trial, Shuter cried, "Clear the way there--knock down that old woman with the apples.