Event Comment: On this date a band of French comedians received a permit authorizing them to bring their scenes and stage decoration to England. See W. J. Lawrence, "Early French Players in England," The Elizabethan Playhouse and Other Studies, p. 140; Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 252; and Madame M. Horn-Monval, "French Troupes in England during the Restoration," Theatre Notebook, VII (1953), 82

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Theatrical Review, 11 March: Written by the celebrated Milton when he was very young...it would have been sufficient had he never produced anthing more considerable, to have transmitted his fame to the latest posterity. It is inimitable set to music by Mr Handel...not strictly an Oratorio, tho' perform'd as such, the subject not being taken from Holy Writ. To which was added the celebrated Te Deum, composed by Mr Handel for the peace of Utrecht...a very grand masterly piece. End of Act I, a Concerto on the French Horn by Mr Ponta, musician to his Serene Highness, the Elector of Mentz, lately arrived in England. What this gentleman executes with the horn is very surprising, but, not being suited to the genius of the instrument, it is not productive of any good effect, when considered musically; as a matter of novelty it may surprise and please, on which account it is worthy the notice of the curious

Event Comment: Benefit Mr Charles, Master of the French Horn. 51. 6 P.M

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Performed as an Oratorio, though only a Serenata. Words by Gay...set to music by Mr Handel for that princely nobleman the Duke of Chandos...This being too short for a whole evening's entertainment, Mr Dryden's celebrated Ode, also set by Handel, was performed after the Serenata. End of Part I Concerto on French Horn, by Ponta. End of Part II, Solo on Violincello-Janson (Theatrical Review, 18 March). Ross and Mossop engag'd for Haymarket for tragedy, also Bannister; Aickin, Baddeley, Parsons, Dibdin, Mrs Baddeley, Evans, Miss Miller, Miss Ambrose &c. (Winston MS 10). [For Summer season?]

Event Comment: This work, printed in 1674, was performed, probably, at court by a French company. See M. Horn-Monval, French Troupes in England During the Restoration, Theatre Notebook, VII (1953), 82; and Edwin P. Grobe, S. Bre, French Librettist at the Court of Charles II, Theatre Notebook, IX (1954), 20-21

Event Comment: Benefit Charles, Master of the French-Horn. 6:30 P.M. 3s

Event Comment: By Particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Positively the last Night. [Intended as satire on the Reverend John Henley's Oratory (eccentric preacher, 1692-1756) and as a puff for The Midwife or Old Woman's Magazine, edited by Christopher Smart and John Newberry, 1751-53. The Old Woman's Oratory written and produced by Smart. See the Gentleman's Magazine, 1752, p. 43; and Horace Walpole's letter to Montagu 12 May 1752, as follows: It appeared the lowest buffoonery in the world, even to me who am used to my uncle Horace. There is a bad oration to ridicule, what is too like, Orator Henley; all the rest is perverted music. There is a man who plays so nimbly on the kettle drums, that he has reduced that noisy instrument to be an object of sight; for if you don't see the tricks with his hands, it is no better than ordinary. Another play on a violin and trumpet together; another mimics a bagpipe with a German flute, and makes it full if disagreeable. There is an admired dulcimer, a favourite saltbox and a really curious Jew's Harp. Two or three men intend to persuade you that they play on a broomstick, which is drolly brought in, carefully shrouded in a case, so as to be mistaken for a bassoon or bass viol, but they succeed in nothing but the action. The last fellow imitates farting and curtseying to a French horn. There are twenty medley overtures, and a man who speaks a prologue and epilogue, in which he counterfeits all the actors and singers upon earth' (The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole's Correspondence, IX, p. 131). [See 3 Dec. 1751.