Event Comment: The Journal of Sir Richard Bulstrode (p. 19): This evening is repeated in
the great Hall by foure persons of quality
the Indian Emper, but
the Company is made very private, soe as few attempt to gett in.
Jean Chappuzeau,
Le Theatre Francois (
Paris, 1675), p. 55, states that in 1668 he saw a revival of
The Indian Emperor in
London.
Pepys, Diary: 14 Jan.:
They fell to discourse of last night's work
at court, where
the ladies and
Duke of Monmouth and o
thers acted
The IndianEmperour; wherein
they told me
these things most remarkable: that not any woman but
the Duchesse of Monmouth and
Mrs Cornwallis did any thing but like fools and stocks, but that
these two did do most extraordinary well: that not any man did any thing well but
Captain O'Bryan, who spoke and did well, but, above all things, did dance most incomparably. That she did sit near
the players of
the Duke's house; among
the rest,
Mis Davis, who is
the most impertinent slut, she says, in
the world; and
the more, now
the King do show her countenance; and is reckoned his mistress, even to
the scorne of
the whole world;
the King gazing on her, and my
Lady Castlemayne being melancholy and out of humour, all
the play, not smiling once.
The King, it seems, hath given her a ring of #700, which she shews to every body, and owns that
the King did give it her; and he hath furnished a house for her in
Suffolke Street most richly, which is a most infinite shame. It seems she is bastard of
Colonell Howard, my Lord Berkshire, and that he do pimp to her for
the King, and hath got her for him; but
Pierce says that she is a most homely jade as ever she saw, though she dances beyond any thing in
the world