Event Comment: Paid Charlotte Lane for altering and mending a pair of black velvet breeches for Mr Wm. Smith, 1s. 6d.; For making a scarlet camblet frock, 8s.; for sewing silk, twist, buckram & stays, 4s. 6d.; for a velvet fall down collar, 3s. 6d.; 17 plain gilt buttons at 3d.-4s. 3d.; (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick, II, 322)

Event Comment: Paid Charlotte Lane for making a white cloth coat and blue sattin waistcoat, loop'd and bound with silver for Mr Dyer, 18s.; for sewing silk and twist, 4s. 6d. Buckram and stays, 3s.; Hair cloth and wadding, 4s. dimety sleevelining & linnen pockets, 2s. 6d.; 2 doz. & 4 rich silver wire buttons at 8d.-18s. 6d. 19 breast buttons ditto at 4d.-6s. 4d. Dimety body lining to waistcoat and cuffs at 12s.-#1 13s.; 8 yds blue allopeen at 21!2 d.-17s. 4d. 21!4 yds white serge desoy at 5s.-11s. 3d. Also for Mr Dyer for making a yellow sattin waistcoat & cuffs, and mending a coat for Ranger, 8s.; sewing silk and twist, buckran & stays 4s.; three quarters yds white shallbon and interlining at 4d.-6s. 4d. Dimety body lining to waistcoat, 3s. 4d.; Stuff to make the backs 1s. 2 and 3!4 yds Blue Sattin for ye n silver'd buttons at 1s. 6d.-4s. 6d.; 11!2 doz. breast buttons ditto at 9d.-1s. 11!2d; For new buttoning and lacing a coat for Mrs Vincent 6s.; 2 doz. and 4 coat silver'd buttons at 1s. 6d.-3s. 6d.; 11!2 doz. breast buttons at 9d.-1s. 1 1!2d.; Sewing silk &c., 1s. 6d. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick, II, 322)

Event Comment: Paid Charlotte Lane for making a dress for Zanga for Mr Clarke, the Robe interlin'd with linen & the underdress lin'd with blue tammy's linnen, 18s.; 7 1!2 yds linnen at 10d.-7s. 6d.; 5 yds tammy at 2s.-10s.; silk, lace, and sewing silk, &c., 4s. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick, II, 322). [Also from same source]: paid to same for lengthening a coat sleeves & mending same for Mr Ridout, 1s. 3d.; for making a cloath coat lac'd with silver for Mrs Vincent, 10s. 6d., sewing silk, twist, buckram & stays, 4s. 6d.; hair cloth, wadding & linnen pockets, 5s.; 4 1!2 yds tammy at 2s.-9s

Event Comment: Benefit for furnishing the new Wards in the Middlesex Hospital. Paid Charlotte Lane for altering a cloth coat, and green corded silk waistcoat lac'd with silver for Mr Wm. Smith, 5s. 6d.; shalloos back & bod lining to coat & stiffening, 3s. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick II, 332). [The Occasional Prologue, written by Mr Boyce was publish'd in the Public Advertiser 19 Dec. 1755]: @And, Britons, Godlike charity is yours...@'Tis yours to silence Misry's plaintive moan@And make the grief of others all your own...@Give balm to Nature's accidental woes,@And sooth th'impovrish'd matron's pregnant throes...@ [The Epilogue, written by C. Smart, and spoken by Shuter in the character of a Man-midwife, was published in the same paper: Shuter enters with a child]: @Whoe'er begot thee has no cause to blush:@Thou'rt a brave chopping boy (child cries) nay, hush, hush, hush.@.......................@Nay if you once begin to puke and cough@Go to the nurse. Within, here, take him off.@Well Heav'n be prais'd, it is a peopling age,@Thanks to the Bar, the Army, and the Stage...

Event Comment: Paid Charlotte Lane for making a Callimanco Coat & breeches loop'd and bound with silver for Miss Hallam (in The Orphan), 10s.; sewing silk, twist, buckram & stays, 3s. 6d.; Haircloth & wadding, 2s. 6d.; Linnen lining, pockets & silk garters to breeches, 4s.; 2 1!2 yds white stuff to line the coat, 5s.; a silver damask waistcoat alter'd 2s.; 2 doz. and 2 coat, 9 breast silver'd buttons, 3s. 9d.; 1 doz. black buttons to the breeches, 9d. Total to Charlotte Lane so far this season, #21, 6s. 5d. (MS list in Davies, Life of Garrick, II, 322)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wood, Sub-Treasurer. Tickets deliver'd out for The Mistake will be taken (playbill). For ye Morocco Embassador, who, tho' unlearn'd in out Language, behav'd as if he understood nature -Mr Wood, the Subtreasurer had Tickets (Cross). [Mrs Frances Brooke, in The Old Maid, for 8 May 1756, gives the following eye-witness account of the evening: "I determined to watch the artless working of [the Ambassador's] surprise, and to catch, as well as I could his sentiments of the theatre, the Audience, the Play, and the performers. And shall give them to my readers, just as they appeared to me. On his first coming to the front of the Box, he was complimented with the Applause of the whole House, which seemed to give him great pleasure, and which he returned by two bows in the English, and afterwards by a reverence in the Moorish manner, which last I thought very graceful...tho' he is rather low of stature, yet his loose flowing robes, and his manner altogether gave him such an air of superiority, that I thought the Audience looked only like his attendants. "The House and Spectators attracted his notice so much for some time, that he seem'd very well entertained before the drawing up of the curtain. At the first scene between the Lords, I thought he looked disappointed, and after a transient view of the stage, directed his eyes again to the company; at the entrance of King Henry his attention was a little recover'd to the performance, but his majesty had not proceeded half way thru the scene, before he burst into a most immoderate fit, of apparently contemptuous laughter, which he repeated very often thro' the whole playing of the part. The manner in which this stranger was affected by it, amongst other considerations, fully convinces me that this character is most ridiculously burlesqued in the representation, and that both Shakespeare and the Monarch are very inhumanly sacrificed, to the polite taste, and elegant distinction of the upper gallery....I could point out many abuses of the like nature, which have increased upon us so much of late, that 'tis almost impossible to attend the theatres, with the expectation of receiving pleasure from some parts of the perfbrmance, without the certainty of suffering equal disgust from others; it was the case of many besides myself, at this of Henry, upon the absurdity of Winchester's brandishing his cane at Canterbury, upon the close of the Council Scene; and yet to give opportunity for this notable stage foolery, the Archbishop and Bishop are both made to walk out of their proper order, tho' in attendance upon the King....His character is drawn by Shakespeare very nearly as it stands in history, and in colours far different from the farcical ones, in which it is the present fashion to represent it. He is described indeed as imperious, but at the same time a great Monarch, and not withstanding his short interjections of anger, he is in my judgment upon every occasion a King. I wish this consideration may prevail with Mr Berry, when he plays this character for the future, to remember that tho' Harry as well as Jobson may be something rough and boistrous, yet the turbulency of a haughty prince, is a very different quality, and must therefore appear in avery different fashion, from the sawciness of an impudent cobbler. "Whatever neglect his Moorish Excellency might discover of this part, he paid great attention to that of Queen Catherine; but nothing seem'd to affect him so stronglyas Miss Young's singing, at which he appeared quite collected, and listened to her with all marks of rapturous admiration; his whole soul appeared touched, and at the end of the song, he joined the house in clapping, a mark of applause I did not observe him give at any other time. "I thought upon the King's kissing Anna Bullen, that he appeared surprized and offended, and looked about, to observe whether others were not affected in the same manner. "The procession was less marked by him than I had expected, but upon the Champion's entry on horseback, he burst into such an Immoderate fit of laughter, as to fall quite back in his seat. "At the end of the play he rose, as if to leave the House, but looked very well pleased upon being informed there was more entertainment to come; in the Pantomime he seem'd surprized and disgusted at the appearance of Harlequin, to whom he did not appear reconciled to the last; his wonder was still greater at the flying of the Genii cross the stage, and other parts of the machinery, which I thought he studied byt was puzzled to account for. He laughed heartily at the Clown, and admired Colombine not a little.... "I am jealous of the honour of my country in all respects. I would have this stranger leave it with as high opinion of our publick entertainments as possible, and could wish that at the Old House, he might see Mr Garrick in Richard or some equally striking part, and at the New, he may be present at plays, where rich dresses, magnificent show and graceful action, and uncommon personal perfections in the principal performers might contribute to give him a more elevated idea of our stage, than he can have receiv'd from King Harry."] Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: [M+Mercury Harlequin seems to have been the afterpiece. The Public Advertiser carried the following notice under news from London: "Mr Garrick was prevented from appearing in the character of Chamont last night, by a sudden and violent Indisposition, but we hear that he is better, tho' not quite free from pain."] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: We hear that Mr Garrick is so well recovered, as to be able to perform some day this week (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: By Particular desire. This day publish'd The Theatrical Examiner, an inquiry into the merits and demerits of the principal English performers in general...with a consideration of Douglas. [Gives advice to young actors, and some remarks on productions, praises Douglas, gives a diatribe against Garrick: "All young actors start, jump, and Garrickize, which is the true reason there is none of them tolerable." (98 pp.)] Receipts: #150 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Burton and Philips. Last time of performing the Afterpiece this season. Tickets deliver'd by Mr Hayes will be taken. Mainpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 2 Feb. 1753.] This month was published An Answer to that Important Question Whether it is lawful for the Professors of the Christian Religion to go to plays (32 pp.) [Advises members of the Congregation to read Scriptures instead.] Also published A Letter of Abuse to David Garrick. Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: While we were at Rehearsal, Mr Aprice, came to Mr Garrick, full of complaints of Mr Foote's taking him off in the Author & a long & high Argument ensu'd, nor was it settled, but a farther meeting appointed at eight that Night at the Rose, where Foote join'd 'em--a great deal of abuse between him & Aprice; I don't know ye particulars, but it was order'd to remain at the bottom for Tuesday, but, as I hear, it is to be done no more (Cross)

Event Comment: MMr Woodward has enter'd into partnership with Mr Barry in a new Theater in Ireland & has taken from us Mr Walker and Wife (Miss Minors that was) Mr Vernon, Mr Jefferson and Wife-from Mr Rich, Mr Arthur, Mr White, Mr Chambers, Mr Finny (his Scene-man) & others (Cross). Receipts: #120 (Cross); #128 15s. (Winston MS 8). Places for Boxes to be had of Mr Varney at the stage door. No admittance behind scenes, nor any money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. [This notice regularly occurs at foot of bill and will not be noted further this season. The box receipts recorded from Winston MS 8 seem to have been taken by him from the Huntington Library playbills (second set) annotated by J. P. Kemble from a Treasurer's Book.] Letter to Mr G@k on Opening of the Theatre, With Observations on Managers, Actors, Authors, and their Audiences and Particularly New Performers. 6d. Published by Cooke opposite Drury Lane Theatre. [It is a plea for more frequent appearances of Garrick, especially in lighter parts, now that Woodward has left; for especially good plays on Saturday nights; for striking from the repertoire all immoral, immodest and cruel plays; for being a sport about competition with Rich; for better regulation of the boxes, on a first-come, first-pay basis; for training up the most promising young actors gradually and not casting them in parts beyond their reaches; for more new plays; and for an advisory council in selecting them; for omission of personal satirical attacks in comedy.

Event Comment: N.B. This was Mr Packer's first appearance at Drury Lane Theatre. He had acted one night at Covent Garden in the preceding season, Johnson, in the Rehearsal and the Frenchman in Lethe, which pieces were perform'd for Mr Lee's Benefit. Mr Garrick was there, and engag'd Mr Packer, who was going to Ireland, with Mr Barry, and Mr Woodward, into the Drury Lane Company. I am writing this on the sixth of April 1801--tonight Mr Packer told me the above Particulars at Drury Lane Playhouse, where he has always remained since his first being engaged there (J. P. Kemble's note on Huntington bill). Receipts: #100 (Cross); #107 1s. 6d. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: TThe Provok'd Wife was in the Bills for this Night, but Mr Garrick finding himself ill in ye Morning Fresh bills for Ye Mercht were posted at one o'Clock-two or three hiss'd when the play began, but Mr Havard told 'em ye reason of the Change & all was over (Cross). Receipts: #185 15s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: MMr Garrick being still indisposed with cold & hoarseness, Guardian deferred till tomorrow. Receipts: #160 (Cross); #158 18s. 6d. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: This Day Publish'd elegantly printed in one Volume Octavo (Dedicated to the Right Hon. Garret, Lord Mornington) A General View of the Stage, by Mr Wilks, of Dublin. Printed for J. Coote. [Contains 355 pages on the stage and its usefulness in presenting tragedy, comedy, opera, farce and pantomime. Discusses the art of acting, reviews plays and parts. Chapter VI on [Dress and its propriety" suggests the growing interest in historical authenticity in costume: [The judicious propriety in 'dress' adapted with sufficient exactitude to the age, time, and circumstances of [the] character...may be call'd the last colourings and finishings of [the] picture; and in this case very much will depend on knowledge of ancient history and historical paintings." Thirty-two pages praising Garrick the actor, and discussing in some detail all the characters he had performed to that time.

Event Comment: FFoote read part of his The Minor on 9 Nov. 1759 in a course of Comic Lectures and left for Dublin on 10 Nov. (Theatrical Duplicity or, A Genuine Narrative of the Conduct of David Garrick, Esq. to Joseph Reed on his Tragedy of Dido. MS in Harvard Theatre Collection)

Event Comment: HHolland's Benefit deferred on account of Garrick's indisposition

Event Comment: Did I tell you that the Archbishop tried to hinder the Minor from being played at Drury Lane? For once the Duke of Devonshire was firm, and would only let him correct some passages, & even of those the Duke has restored some. One that the Prelate effaced was 'You snub-nosed son of a bitch.' Foote says he will take out a license to preach Sam Cant against Tom Cant. (Walpole to Montagu, 24 Nov.). [See also Duke of Devonshire's statement to Garrick concerning the alteration of some lines, Private Correspondence, ed. Boaden, I, 120. See Gentlemen's Magazine, p. 502: Extracts from Christian and Critical remarks on a droll or interlude, call'd the Minor, said to be acted by authority; and Mr Foote's answer. Ten columns of alternate attack and justification.

Event Comment: [The Farce A Fairy Tale in 2 acts by Dr Hawkesworth never acted before. Epilogue by Garrick. Spoken by Mrs Yates. The Fairy announced as Miss Marten in advance bills (Winston MS 9).

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Full prices. No money returned after curtain is drawn up. Vivat Rex. [A. Murphy and S. Foote joined a partnership and rented dl theatre from Garrick for summer performances (Genest, IV, 616). For Gentleman, Miller? See Winston MS 9.

Event Comment: Full Prices. There will not be room behind the Scenes for more than the persons acting in the coronation, [Others] cannot possibly be admitted. The coronation of their Majesties was followed by a stage representation of it at both houses...Garrick knew that Rich would spare no expense in the presentation of his show; he knew too that he had a taste in the ordering, dressing, and setting out these pompous processions, superior to his own; he therefore was contented with the old dresses which had been occasionally used from 1721-1761. This show he repeated for near forty nights successively, sometimes at the end of a play, and at other times after a farce. The exhibition was the meanest, and the most unworthy of a theatre, I ever saw. The stage was...opened into Drury Lane; and a new and unexpected sight surprised the audience, of a real bonfire, and the populace huzzaing and drinking porter to the health of Queen Anne Bullen. The Stage in the meantime, amidst the parading of Dukes, duchesses, archbishops, peeresses, heralds &c. was covered with a thick fog from the smoke of the fire, which served to hide the tawdry dresses of the processionalists. During this idle piece of mockery, the actors, being exposed to the suffocations of smoke, and the raw air from the open street, were seized with colds, rheumatisms, and swelled faces. At length the indignation of the audience delivered the comedians from this wretched badge of nightly slavery, which gained nothing to the managers but disgrace and empty benches. Tired with the repeated insult of a show which had nothing to support it but gilt copper and old rags, they fairly drove the exhibitors of it from the stage by hooting and hissing, to the great joy of the whole theatre....Rich...fully satisfied [the publick's] warmest imaginations (Davies, Life of Garrick, I, 365 ff.)

Event Comment: Tomorrow, Not acted this Season. The Wonder, Felix-$Garrick; Violante-$Mrs Cibber, and On Wednesday will be reviv'd The Second Part of King Henry the 4th, New Dress'd in the Habits of the times

Event Comment: I Went With Mallet to breakfast with Garrick; and from thence to Drury-Lane house, where I assisted at a very Private rehearsal, in the Green-room, of a new tragedy of Mallet's, called Elvira. As I have since seen it acted, I shall defer my opinion of it till then; but I can't help mentioning here the surprising versatility of Mrs Pritchard's talents, who rehearsed, almost at the same time, the part of a furious Queen in the Green-room, and that of a Coquette on the stage; and passed several times from one to the other with the utmost ease and happiness. I dined with Darrel, saw The Way of the World afterward (Edward Gibbon's Journal, ed. D. M. Lowe (New York, n.d.) pp. 185-86). [Apparently Mrs Pritchard rehearsed Millamant in the morning.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Benefit for Mrs Cibber. Send servants to keep places at 3 o'clock. Tickets deliver'd for King John will be taken. Garrick returned [from trip to France and Italy] to his house in Southampton St. (Winston MS 9)