Event Comment: LLondon Daily Post and General Advertiser, 15 Sept.: [cg] is new painted and decorated, and will be open'd on Friday next...the Report of Mr Cibber and Mrs Horton being engag'd to another Theatre, is entirely without Foundation: That Company would have begun acting sooner, but for the finishing of a large additional Building, which is now cover'd in, whereby they will, on some Occasions, be enabled to add near 70 Feet to the Length of the Stage, which was before the longest in England, but will now exceed in Depth, any Theatre in Europe

Event Comment: For a long letter on musical performances, including Handel's, see London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 4 April, reprinted in Deutsch, Handel, pp. 515-17

Event Comment: Benefit Mlle Auguste. Tickets of Page at stage door and of Mlle Auguste at Mrs Butler's over against the Golden Fan in Hanover St., Long Acre

Event Comment: Benefit Widow Harper. See Daily Advertiser, 30 April: The case of the Widow of the late John Harper, Comedian: Mr Harper, having been seiz'd about four years since with a Paralitic Disorder, which not only rendered him incapable of acting, but depriv'd him of the use of his limbs, and in some degree affected his senses so as to make him an object of great compassion; during which long and dreadful Indisposition of near four years all possible means were tried (tho' in vain) to recover him, which impair'd and hurt his Circumstances, so greatly, as not to permit him to leave a sufficent Support for his widow, who is in years and unprovided for. Mr Harper dying in January last, according to a custom in the theatre his widow is entitled to a Benefit, and the Comedy of The Miser is to be acted to-morrow night for her Benefit, at Drury Lane; but as she is incapable of making a proper interest for it, without applying to the Compassion and Generosity of the Publick, she hopes to be excused in giving them the Trouble of this her case. Tickets deliver'd out by Roger will be taken.See Garrick's Additional Benefit for her on 11 May.] Receipts: #50

Event Comment: Benefit Anne Auretti. By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Tickets to be had of Anne Auretti at Mr Chisholm's, the Golden Head in Great Newport St., near Long Acre

Event Comment: Benefit Cross (Prompter), DeMaimbray (Mechanist), and Desse. Tickets deliver'd out by Nodder, Owen, Miss Lee, and others will be taken. [This month in the Gentlemen's Magazine appeared a long essay from Champion No. 5, entitled The Character of an excellent Actor, an appreciative essay on the difficulties of acting, and the excellence of Garrick. The author avows he never exchanged a word with Garrick in his life. In July the Gentlemen's Magazine publish'd a reply to the contention that shewing good plays and giving men a relish for them was a satisfactory method of instructing the young, concluding instead against stage entertainments because they may be and are productive of much ill; and can serve no good end but what may be more effectively attained by other means.

Event Comment: Sir, As there have been many reports to my prejudice, I desire you will publish the true and only Reason why I have not yet appear'd upon the stage this winter. Many of the Persons concerned in the late struggle with the Manager, might have been left destitute had I deserted them, therefore I thought it incumbent on me to endeavor at this reconciliation with my own, upon reasonable terms; this I have accomplish'd, and hope I am excusable for not playing 'til it is determin'd. Tho I am sensible my affairs are too inconsiderable to be laid before the Publick, yet as I am their servants, and have been so much favour'd with their Indulgence, I thought it my Duty to convince 'em that it is neither Obstinacy, or Exorbitancy, but a quite different motive, that detains me so long from doing my utmost to contribtte to their Entertainment. I am, Sir your Humble Servant, D. Garrick.--London Daily Post and General Advertiser

Event Comment: No Money will be taken behind the scenes, nor any money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. The following Letter, signed A By-Stander was inserted in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser: As I am absolutely unconcerned in all the now subsiding Theatrical Disputes, I hope the following observations upon what happened last Tuesday Night at Drury Lane will not be thought unworthy the Publick attention. The Manager of a theatre is to regard the General sense of the Town, and not any Faction form'd thru pique or resentment; Such a Faction may be Noisy, it may be Insolent, but never can be Considerable enough to force either the Manager or the Publick into their terms. Their outrages are equally insults upon the Understanding of the Town, as they are injuries to the Property of the Manager. Therefore if the Manager shall at any time give way to such proceedings, Then and not till Then, the Publick has a right ot find fault with him. The stage Then becomes a property to the insolence of a few misled people; and all theatrical diversions, which in this and other countries used to be directed by Decency and Publick Approbation are sacrificed to a pitiful Personal Resentment. If the above propositions are undeniable, the following Queries are submitted to the Publick, and the answer to them will determine the Reasonableness of the Tuesday Night Riot: I. Whether the Rioters were not Inconsiderable in their numbers and Circumstances? II: Whether any Gentleman can answer to himself, for doing in a Body, a thing which no Gentleman can justify for doing by himself? III. Whether the Rioters can justify their breaking into the Boxes, and taking possession of the seats, which were taken by many persons of Quality and Distinction, at the same time refusing to pay anything; thereby robbing the Manager of all the money of the Boxes, and most part of the Pit? IV. Whether the Manager ought to suffer in his property for the private quarrel between any two actors, as was the case...? V: Whether if such insolences are not discountenanced in the most effectual manner by the Town, any publick diversion can continue longer than a noisy inconsiderable Cabal pleases? VI. Whether any other motive than a regard to Public Decency would have hindered the Manager and Mr. Garrick's friends (who were treble the number) from treating the rioters as they deserved? I should be glad to see the above questions fairly and impartially answered

Event Comment: Never before acted [by William Havard, who inserted a long advertisement in the Daily Post with quotations from Roman history and the comment: thus much I think is necessary to be known by everybody who designs to see the play.] Last night the Tragedy of Regulus was perform'd...to a numerous and polite Audience, and met with great Applause.-London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 22 Feb

Event Comment: [L$Leveridge's rhymed advertisement of 14 March repeated but with last two lines of Verse II as follows]: Which I with acknowledgment full of Delight Will gratefully sing on my Benefit Night,...which will be Tuesday April 17th, with The Miser. Tickets at Leveridge's Lodgings in Hanover St., the third door on the right hand from Long Acre, and of Mr Page at the Stage Door.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: Benefit Leveridge. Tickets to be had at his lodgings in Hanover Street, the third door on the right hand from Long Acre, and of Page at the stage door of the theatre. The Man in the Moon, about nine at night Will wait you all home, with his fullness of light

Event Comment: A serious riot took place this evening occasioned by Fleetwood's continuing raised prices to old entertainments. Manager called for by audience. Not being an actor, he pleaded privilege of being exempted from appearing on stage and sent word by a performer he would confer in his room with any deputation. One was sent from pit, and house waited patiently its return.--Genest, IV, 137. To The Gentlemen of the Town: Gentlemen: From what pass'd last night at Drury Lane Playhouse, I think I may congratulate you on the long-wish'd for Conquest over the Hireling Encouragers of the Pantomime Entertainments. Give me leave, therefore, Gentlemen to hope, that you will not be wanting in your endeavours to quashing future attempts to introduce what is manifestly an encroachment on the Honour and Dignity of the stage, and a glaring Imposition on the town. I am yours, Philo Dramaticus.--Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: t foot of Bill]: Whenever a Pantomime or Farce shall be advertised, the advanced prices shall be returned to those who do not choose to stay; and on Thursday next will be published the Manager's reasons for his conduct in the present dispute. Winston MS.: Fleetwood, the manager, and servants driven from doors & all rushed in. Genest, IV, 137-38: A country gentleman was taken from an upper box and carried before a magistrate. This step when known by the audience occasioned much mischief. Acting the play not allowed. General Advertiser, 22 Nov.: An Address to the Public, dl Theatre 20 November. As the extraordinary disturbances which have lately happened at this theatre greatly affect the diversions of the publick, as well as the property of the manager, he thinks it incumbent on him to justify his conduct by giving a fair statement of the case....The reasons of complaint assigned, he apprehends, are the exhibition of Pantomimes, Advanced Prices, and Insults on the audience--as to the first, he submits it to be considered that however distasteful such pieces may be to the delicacy of some judgments, yet there are others to whose taste they are suited; as the playhouse may be considered as the general mart of pleasure, it is only from the variety of entertainment, the different tastes of the public can be supplied--of this the receipts of the house are a sufficient evidence, it being notorius, how necessary the addition of such pieces is towards procuring the best play a numerous audience. With regard to the advanced prices, the Manager hoped he should in some measure be justified by the great increase of the charges of the theatre which, notwithstanding any reduction that has been made, are still at least a fourth part greater than usual--but as in this point he has already submitted, he conceives it can no longer remain the subject of their displeasure, especially as by an advertisement handed about the theatre it was said that every objection would cease, when the manager consented to return the advanced prices to those, who did not choose to be tortured with entertainments. As to insults on the audience...last week upon some persons flinging the sconces and candles on the stage a quarrel arose, in the confusion of which a Gentleman was secured, but by whom the Manager knows not, nor ever gave any order, or was any acquainted with the affair till after he was discharged, for the truth of which he refers to the affidavit annexed. As to the accusation of several bruisers (as they are termed) being employed on Saturday night to insult Gentlemen, the Manager declares, that there was none but the Peace Officers, Carpenters, and Scene-men (which on account of the Entertainments are very numerous) and other servants belonging to the theatre; nor did they appear till urged by the tumult, by tearing up benches and threat'ning to come on the stage and demolish the scenes; nor could the Manager apprehend this legal precaution to prevent mischief and defend his property would ever be construed as an infringement on the liberty of an audience, especially when it is considered, what great damages he sustained some years ago on an attempt of the like nature--if any such persons appeared in the pit, the Manager presumes, they must have come in with the multitude, after his doorkeepers were drove from their posts, and the house was open to all; which was evident from several hundred persons more being present at the disturbance than were at the performance that night, who then came to a determination to prevent any performance on the Monday. After this impartial account of his conduct, the manager appeals to the judgment of the publick what foundation he has given for the outrageous disturbance on Monday night; and cannot help thinking, the real injuries he has sustained, too severe a punishment for an imaginary offence, having lost several hundred pounds already, by people being terrified from frequenting the theatre. A total exclusion is now insisted on, the Manager to resign his property, the Publick to be deprived of their diversions and the players of their subsistence; And all this after every concession, becoming one gentleman to ask, or another to make, has been submitted to. [Affidavit of Constable followed. See Genest, IV, 139-40.] The following three pamphlets came out expressing points of view concerning Fleetwood and his policy and management: I. The Disputes between the Director of d.l. and the Pit Potentates, 20 Nov. As a Letter to a Friend it tells the resolution: not to have old Pantomimes (so execrably bad that they were damn'd when new) imposed on them, unless the manager would take no more than common prices; reports how Fleetwood stocked the pit with Men of doughty valor...disguised in the habits of Gentlemen, to throw out all who protested; protests the system of casting employed whereby 2nd rate actors appeared in good parts; discusses hardship cases of certain actors (Mrs Roberts, Mrs Horton, Mrs Mills) and asks why Theophilus Cibber is not on the stage. 2. An Impartial Examen of the Present Contests, by Mr Neitherside, 1744: harks back to Fleetwood's finacial policies of the previous year, deploring his relations with the actors and with manager of cg; scourges him for miscasting his plays around one prominent actor, rather than giving a balanced performance; deplores his paying Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive so much; revives the 1743 dispute which led to secession; dislikes the casting for 2 Nov. of Love's Last Shift; suggests better casts for many plays; scores the Licensing Act for reducing players to slavery; hopes for resumption of balanced performances. 3. Stage Policy Detected, or some Selcet Pieces of Theatrical Secret History Laid Open, in a Letter to a Certain Manager, 1744: takes apart Fleetwood's Defense, statement by statement, giving him the lie at each point. Suggests the real money from the house comes from Pit and Box, which are protesting his pantomimes; shows full attendance at Rehearsal and Macbeth with no afterpieces. Especially dislikes the hired bruisers, and the cast of the Alchemist for 6 Nov

Event Comment: Prologue written by Macklin: (Cooke, Memoirs of Charles Macklin, pp. 150-51.) From scheming, pelting, famine, and despair, Behold to grace restored an exil'd Play'r: Your Sanction yet his fortune must compleat, And give him privilege to laugh and eat. No revolution plots are mine again; You see, thank Heaven, the quietest of men. I pray that all domestic feuds might cease; And beggar'd by the war, solicit peace; When urg'd by wrongs, and prompted to rebel; I sought for freedom, and for freedom fell; What could support me in the sevenfold dame? I was no Shadrak and no angel came. Once warn'd, I meddle not with state affairs; But play my part, retire and say my pray'rs. Let nobler spirits plan the vast design, Our green-room swarms with longer heads than mine; I take no part-no private jars foment, But hasten from disputes I can't prevent; Attack no rival brother's fame, or ease; And raise no struggle, but who most shall please. United in oursdlves, by you approv'd. Tis ours to make the slightest muse belov'd; So may the stage again its use impart, And ripen Virtue, as it warms the heart. May discord, with her horrid trump, retreat, Nor drive the frighted Beauty from her seat; May no contending parties strive for sway, But judgmemt govern, and the stage obey

Event Comment: Tragedy never acted. By James Thomson. Characters New Dress'd. But as it is rather more fashionable to run mad about Mr Thomsons's play, I will change my theme and talk to you of Tancred. I want much to know how you like it, at this distance I would lay any wager you do not like it so well as your sister does, who certainly cannot be your sister and not have been to see it long ago. Everybody agrees that no play was ever so much improved in acting, at least since the Booths and Bettertons. That first scene expecially, where Siffredi discovers to Tancred who he is, pleased me almost beyond anything I ever saw, indeed even before I saw it, that scene was my favourite. But what do you think of the story, and what of the style?-A Series of Letters between Mrs Elizabeth Carter and Miss Catherine Talbot, I, 60 (dated strangely 2 March). [On 26 April, the Daily Post published a letter by Bellario on Tancred and Sigismunda, discussing the kind of support it received]: A very remarkable new Lord of the Treasury was proud of appearing its Foster Father, and attended at the public rehearsals; the first night of the performance this celebrated person and his friends in the Box with him (all very lately most flaming Patriots) were seen clapping their hands at the following remarkable speech: First of You All...To Quit Mistakes. [The letter also discussed political aspects of the play, then the poetry of the lines. The author heard that three hundred lines were cut out after the first performance, and was of opinion that double that amount would have been beneficial.

Event Comment: With a new Farce of two Acts...Written by the Gentleman who plays the Part of Lothario. The Play and Entertainment being both so long we shall positively begin at exactly six o'clock. 3s., 2s., 1s. [Usual concert notice.

Event Comment: [G+General Advertiser presents long defense of Italian Opera in a Letter to the Author, signed Linus.

Event Comment: Benefit Leonardo Pescatore...a Serenata. Music entirely new and composed by himself, 7 p.m., 5s. Tickets at the Mews Coffee House, Charing Cross; at Pescatore's, No 2, Meard's Court, Dean St., Soho. [And a long letter by Pescatore offering to give lessons on the harsichord and wounded by public suspicion of his loyalty.

Event Comment: Epilogue Of Thanks by Leveridge. Benefit Leveridge. Tune-A Cobler there was. /I The Many great favours I often have known/With greteful acknowledgment proudly I own,/Which prompts me to beg in this musical way,/The Grant of three hours at my Benefit play/Derry Down, &c/II Against which good time give me leave to express/My earnest desire in this humble address/That your wanted indulgence again may promote/Dick Leveridge's play with your Int'rest and Vote./Derry Down, &c/ Tickets to be had at Mr Leveridge's Lodgings in Hanover St, the third door on the Right Hand from Long-Acre, and of Page, at the stage door

Event Comment: Benefit Dance and Nicholson. Tom's Coffee House, Cornhill, Wednesday four o'Clock. Mr Bayes: By the unanimous Desire of a number of your Friends here assenbled, who intend to sit in judgment upon you on Friday, I take upon me to advise you in some Particulars, as to your present Undertaking. Let not any Success you might meet with at one End of the Town where the Audience must be composed of a different Class of People from what you may expect at Covent Garden, tempt you to think of mimicking an Actress whom the Town doats upon; and particularly avoid Puffing; a Scheme long ago worn threadbare, but lately quite demolish'd by an enterprizing Genius. Not even an Epilogue from the Gods would be of any Service now; and therefore if you have anything that's new, any fiery Flights of Fancy, and all that, let them lie dormant till the Time of Action, and then endeavour to elevate and surprize. Value these Hints.--Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: Free Benefit for Ryan.] Receipts: #134 0s. 6d., plus #122 10s. in tickets. Total profits to Ryan #256 10s. 6d. (Account Books, Egerton 2268). [Note of 23 March about amphitheatre repeated. Garrick's first performance after his long illness, from 26 Feb. to 30 March.] Tickets for Venice Preserv'd will be taken

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber Play'd (Cross). The Letter sign'd E. L. written in the Name of several Persons of Distinction, is receiv'd; and the Play of King Lear will be acted there, as soon as Mr Garrick is able to perform so long a Character (note "From the Theatre Royal Drury Lane" inserted in the General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross); #156 17s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: CCross: There was a report, that my Lord Hubbard had made a party this night to hiss The Foundling off Stage, that ye Reason was it ran too long, & they wanted variety of Entertainments. Mr Garrick was sent for, he met 'em, & so far prevail'd that they promis'd peace 'till after the 9th night. However there was an attempt made by one Catcall, & an apple Thrown at Macklin & some other Efforts made by a few but without effect--Greatly hiss'd wn given out I believe the main cause of this anger, in spite of their Excuses, was their being refus'd admittance behind the Scenes. Receipts: #170 (Cross); #184 1s. 6d. [Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Neale and Winstone. By Particular Desire. Tickets at the Kings Arms Tavern in Bond St., and of Hobson at the Stage Door where Places may be taken for the Boxes. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire, as well as Afterpiece. Dawson &-fought in long Field ye first kill'd on ye spot (Cross). Receipts: #160 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel); cash, #48 6s.; tickets, #109 5s. (Clay MS)