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: DDaily Advertiser [see Woodward's mimicry of Foote, 22 Jan.]: We hear from Drury Lane that on Monday night Harry the Smuggler, who was tried and convicted last summer in the Haymarket, was found hanging in one of the cells of that prison: It seems he has long had a Design to make way with himself and at several times procured poison from Foppington, Harry Wildair, Tom Thimble, &c. but the Quantity, though it made him exceeding sick, not being sufficient to dispatch him, he at last tuck'd himself up in his own Tit for Tat. When he was cut down he look'd very ghastly, and great groanings were heard in the prison before, at, and after his committing the Fact....It is very remarkable that he had on the very coat, which, in Conjunction with one Abel Drugger, not yet taken, he stole from Sammy the Auctioneer; but from the diligent search made after Drugger, it is believed he will soon be brought to Justice. Receipts: #60 (Cross); #67 8s. (Treasurer's Book)