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 others 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