Event Comment: A historical note about the patent for May Fair by Edward Shepherd. Daily Advertiser, 1 May: Whereas a Patent was granted by King Charles the First, and confirm'd by King James II, to the Proprietor of Great and Little Brookfield, then in the Parish of St. Martin in the Fields, now in the Parish of St. George, Hanover Square, to hold a Fair during the Space of fifteen Days, to begin the 1st Day of May next, and every May Day forever: the present Proprietor thinks it proper to apprize the Publick thereof, that it may not be thought that he attempts to do any thing but by Virtue of the said Patent, and no Ways to disturb the Publick Peace, or act in Contradiction to the Laws of the Realm. [Alluded to in 2 May news of the Daily Advertiser, as being proclaimed by Edward Shepherd.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Afterpiece a new Pastoral English Opera set to Music by Mr DeFesch. Tickets to be had at DeFesch's Lodgings, the Ironmonger's in St Martin's Court, Leicester-Fields; and of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets deliver'd out for As You Like It by Mr DeFesch will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for the author of the Dramatic Entertainment. [Afterpiece written by Joseph Dorman.] Never before performed. [See 18 Nov. 1740.] Tickets to be had of the Author at Pons Coffee House in Cecil Court, St. Martin's Lane. Tickets deliver'd out for Monday the 22nd Instant will be taken. Ladies send servants by three

Event Comment: To the author of the General Advertiser, from White's Coffee House, St James's, 1 Feb., SIR: On the 6th of December last I was seiz'd with a fever, which in 24 hours was so violent that I became extremely delerious, insomuch that I obstinately refused all manner of medicines. This continued till about December the 16th, when all my friends thought me near expiring, and the more because I was then in the 80th year of my age. At this time my relations gave me a dose of Dr James's Fever Powder in some Tamarinds, unknown to me, which, as it had no taste, I did not discover. This gave me one stool, and the next morning I was much better. From that Time my Relations gave me the same medicine, without my knowledge, in small beer, Tea, and every thing I took. This was attended with so good an Effect, that in three days the Fever, with all its symptoms, entirely left me, insomuch that I am now perfectly recover'd. This I esteem my duty to the Publick to communicate for the general advantage of Mankind, I am, Sir, your humble servant, Colley Cibber. This day is publish'd, By Authority, the Comic Tunes in the Entertainment of Queen Mab, as they are performed at Drury Lane, for the Violin, German Flute, or Harpsichord, Price 1s. 6d. Printed for J. Oswald at his music shop in St Martin's Churchyard, in the Strand

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Mathews. Places at stage door, and at Mathews in Long-Acre, near St Martin's Lane. Receipts. #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for A Citizen's Widow and three small children. Tickets to be had at Sam's Coffee House in Exchange Alley; the Bank Coffee House, Threadneedle St.; Old Slaughter's Coffee House, St Martin's and the Stage Door

Event Comment: Benefit for a Gentlewoman, who hath a large Family in great Distress, being kept out of a good Fortune (Cross). Tickets to be had at Mrs Brown's, Milliner, in Martin's-Church-Yard; Mr Leeson, Haberdasher, near the New Church in the Strand; Mrs Kelly's, the Rainbow Coffee House, Ludgate Hill; Mr Walker's, an Oilman in Catherine St., and of Varney at the Stage Door (playbill). Receipts: #30 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Rawlins, Ballard, Finny and Miss Condell. Tickets deliver'd out for the Country Lasses will be taken. On Account of the indisposition of a principal actor the play is oblig'd to be changed. Tickets deliver'd by Martin, Mrs Vivier, Mrs Jansolin, and Mrs Petite will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Finney, Martin, and Mrs Gondou. Tickets deliver'd out by Rawlings, Mrs Gwinn, and Mrs Paddick will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Tickets of Beard next door to Old Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane, and of Varney at stage door. Part of Pit laid into Boxes. Amphitheatre on stage. Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Redman, Buck, Lucas, Dumay, Mrs Granier, and Miss Cokayne. Tickets deliver'd out by Martin, Letsam, Mrs Jarvis, and Mrs Gold will be taken

Event Comment: MMr Oram buried at St. Martins (Cross). [This year was translated and published Rousseau's Letter to M D'Alembert (Preface and 190 pp.) on the effect of dramatic entertainments on mankind. Thesis: Aim of the stage is to amuse; authors succeed when they follow the whims of the public. "Let us not then attribute to the stage a power of changing opinions or manners, when it is only that of following or heightening them."] Receipts: #130 (Cross); #129 16s. 6d. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: Benefit for Holtom, Redman, Buck, Miss Ferguson, Miss Helm. Tickets deliver'd out by Dumai, Rawlins, Martin, Letsam, Miss Cockayne, Mrs Goold, and others will be taken

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Receipts: #101 9s. Paid Robert Martin 3 months salary to Mich. last, #10; Paid Mr Margaret Lamb 6 months interest due Sept. last, #7 10s

Event Comment: Benefit for the Unhappy Sufferers by the late Dreadful Fire that happened in King Street, Covent Garden. Places for boxes to be taken, and tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant, at the Stage Door of the Theatre; where, if any persons are so charitably disposed as to send more than the price of the ticket, a receipt will be given him to the person who brings it. And the profits arising from such Benefit Play, will be paid into the hands of the Church Wardens of St Paul's, cg, and St Martins in the Fields, to be distributed by them for the purposes intended. And as there has been no interest made for this benefit, more than arose from the Advertisements in the public Play-Bills, it is hop'd the Inhabitants of the above parishes will favour this charity with their personal appearances at the said Theatre this Night. Receipts: #128 13s. in cash plus #42 5s. (169 Box tickets). Total Income #170 18s. Charges #64

Event Comment: Mr Berry dy'd (Cross). Receipts: #170 (Cross). British Chronicle; 8 Jan. 1760. (Winston MS 8): Died Mr Edward Berry in Russel St., Covent Garden, 53 years one of the comedians of tr dl. On this Sunday the body was interr'd in the Cemetery of St Martin's Church. The loss of so worthy a man was expressed by those present. His only daugher is to [....] with the following inscription to his memory, to whom he has left his fortune worth about #1000: @Epitaph@Here lies the remains of@Edward Berry@Who lived@With public applause and private esteem@The former he acquired as@An Excellent Comedian, the latter as an@Honest Man. 8 Jan 1760 Aet 5s.@Light lie the turf, what tho' no breathing Bust@Of mimic Marble dignifie thy dust?@Yet filial sorrow pays the Dudeous Tear@And heartworn Friendship heaves a Sigh sincere.@Pleas'd may thy shade these humble rites receive@The last sad tribute gratitude can give@

Event Comment: Receipts: #93 0s. 6d. [The Covent Garden Cash Book indicates the mainpiece this night to be The Conscious Lovers.] Paid Mr Martin [wardrobe keeper?] 3 months salary to Xmas 1759, #10

Event Comment: Receipts: #142 4s. Paid Kemp for 5 nights #8; Mr Dall at work upon scenes of Oratorios, for which his salary is stopp'd from 28 Jan. 60; Paid Meares 6s.; Heaford (plaisterer) #78 10s.; Pearce (bricklayer) #79 18s.; Martin (wardrobe keeper) on acct of his salary #5. [I] was in both the Galleries both before and after the plays, met Mr Ware going into Covent Garden Gallery who said his sisters were there but I did see them (Hailey, "Brietzcke Diary," Vol. 197, p.71)

Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire; Last time of performing it this season. Afterpiece: Not acted these two years. Pit and Boxes laid together at 5s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Stage 5s. Those who have places either in the Boxes or the Pit are requested to come thro the Box-Lobby, as at an Oratorio; and to send their servants to keep places by 3 o'clock. Tickets to be had of Mr Beard, at his house next Old Slaughter's, St Martin's Lane; and of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door where places for the Boxes may be taken. Receipts: #129 1s. plus #246 from tickets (Boxes and Pit 984). Total income #375 1s. Charges #63. [Beard found his own wax candles]

Event Comment: Benefit for Lowe. Ladies send servants by 3 o'clock. Receipts: #103 1s., in cash, plus #162 19s. from tickets (Boxes 259; Pit 546; Gallery 163). Total income #266.Charges #64 5s. Paid Martin (wardrobe keeper) on a acct of his salary #5; Paid Whitefield 3 months salary #7 10s

Event Comment: A List of the Company Performers etc.@Actors Messrs Ross #1 6s. 6d.@Sparks #250 #1 8s.@Dyer #180 #1@Smith #1 8s.@Shuter #1 6s. 8d.@Ridout #180 #1@Clarke 16s. 8d.@Collins 13s. 4d.@Dunstall 13s. 4d.@Bencraft #100 12s.@Barrington #100 12s.@Gibson 10s.@Marten 6s. 8d.@Costollo 6s. 8d.@Anderson 6s. 8d.@Hull 6s. 8d.@Wignell 5s.@Bennet 5s.@Redman 4s. 2d.@Holtom 5s.@Buck 4s. 2d.@Perry 4s. 2d.@Stoppelaer 3s. 4d.@R. Smith 3s. 4d.@Giffard 3s. 4d.@Creswick 3s. 4d.@Gibbs 3s. 4d.@Weller 3s. 4d.@C. Smith 2s. 6d.@Blakey 2s. 6d.@Davis 5s.@Actresses Misses Ms Macklin #300 #1 13s. 4d.@Ms Ward #1 6s. 8d.@Ms Hamilton #1 10s.@Ms Elmy 13s. 4d.@Ms Vincent 13s. 4d.@Ms Green 11s.@Ms Pitt 10s.@Ms Dyer #70 7s. 8d.@Ms Barrington 6s. 8d.@Ms Baker 6s. 8d.@Ms Morrison 5s.@Ms Ferguson 5s@Ms Stephens 5s.@Ms Helm 4s. 2d.@Ms Mullart 3s. 4d.@Ms Sledge 3s. 4d.@Ms Copen 3s. 4d.@Ms Burden 3s. 4d.@Ms Davis 3s. 4d.@Ms Cokayne 3s. 4d.@Ms Allen 2s. 6d.@#9 19s. 4d. Actors #15 10s. 10d.@#25 10s. 2d.@Singers Men Messrs Beard #210 #1 3s. 4d.@Mattocks 10s.@Baker 6s. 8d.@Legg 5s.@#2 5s.@Singers Women Mrs Ms Lampe 13s. 4d.@Ms Brent 13s. 4d.@Ms Young 10s.@Ms Abegg 5s.@#2 1s. 8d.@Men Singers #2 5s.@#4 6s. 8d.@. Dancers Men Messrs Poitier Sr #80 8s. 10d.@Maranesi #150 16s. Sd.@Poitier Jr #150 16s. 8d.@LaLauze #100 12s.@Miles 10s.@Granier 10s.@Desse 6s. 8d.@Rochford #50 5s.@Dumay 5s.@Gosly 5s.@Baltazer 5s.@Dufour 5s.@Lassy #35 3s. 8d.@#5 9s. 6d.@Dancers Women Mrs Capdeville #150 16s. 8d.@Ms Maranesi #120 13s. 4d.@Ms Vernon 10s.@Ms Granier 6s. 8d.@Ms Jansolien 6s. 8d.@Ms Mariane #50 5s.@Ms Welch #35 3s. 8d.@Ms Craford #35 3s. 8d.@Ms White 3s. 4d.@Ms Dause 3s. 4d.@Ms Vallois 2s. 6d.@#4 4s. 10d. Men Dancers #5 9s. 6d.@#9 14s. 4d.@Mrs P. R. 10s.@Ms S. B. 6s. 8d.@Ms Bambridge 1s. 8d.@10s. 4d.@Prompters etc. Mr Stede 10s.@Young 5s.@Robertson 1s. 6d.@16s. 6d.@Painters Messrs Lambert #100 12s.@Dall #100 12s.@Austin 2s.@#1 6s.@ Servants numberers Stables 5s.@Housekeeper Sarjant #40 4s. 6d.@Wardrobe Whitefield #30 3s. 4d.@Officekeeper Ballard 3s. 4d.@Pearson 2s. 6d.@Box office Carne 2s. 6d.@Davis 2s. 6d.@Assistants Baker 2s. 6d.@Etherington 2s.@Lobby Door Goode 2s.@Ruby 2s.@Evans 2s.@Condell 2s.@Box Keepers Ansell 2s.@Letsam 2s.@Vaughan 2s.@Green 2s.@Potter 2s.@Pit Office Henning 2s.@Wilford 1s. 8d.@Toten 1s. 8d.@Pit Door Keepers Ross 1s. 8d.@Clingo 1s. 8d.@Ass. Office Clarke 1s. 8d.@1 Gal. Office Slater 2s.@Doorkeeper Rawlinson 1s. 8d.@2 Gal. Office Derby 2s.@Doorkeeper Seymour 2s.@Constable Barnes 2s.@Featherman Scott 1s. 8d.@Porter Besford 2s.@#3 9s. 10d.@Women Dressers #1 2s. 8d.@Charwomen 12s. 10d.@#5 5s. 4d.@Women Dressers Mrs Goold Wardrobe Keeper 3s. 4d.@Asst. Do Ms Wignell 2s. 6d.@Do Ms Paddick 1s. 8d.@Ms C. White 1s. 6d.@Ms Hales 1s. 6d.@Ms Martin 1s. 6d.@Ms Potts 1s. 6d.@Ms Wallis 1". 6d.@Ms Broad 1s. 6d.@Ms Gwynn 1s. 6d.@Ms Whitfield 1s. 6d.@Ms Buck 1s. 6d.@#1 2s. 8d.@Charwomen Mrs Brooks 1s. 2d.@Ms Hanmore 1s.@Ms Warwick 1s.@Ms Byrn 1s.@Ms Niblett 1s.@Ms Hollingsworth 1s.@Ms Barron 1s.@Ms Rumsey 1s.@8s. 2d.@Lampman Smith, Jo. 1s. 8d.@Sweeper Cawder, Jo. 1s. 6d.@Candleman Carter 1s. 6d.@12s. 10d.@Performers Sallerys #25 10s. 2d.@Singers Do #4 6s. 8d.@Dancers Do #9 14s. 4d. 18s. 4d.@Prompters Do 16s. 6d.@Painters Do #1 6s.@Servants Do #5 5s. 4d.@#47 17s. 4d.@Nightly Charges as per estimate #36 1s.@#83 18s. 4d.@--British Museum Egerton MS 2271.

Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Last time of performing till Easter Holidays. Pit and Boxes to be laid together. Several of Mr Beard's Friends being pre-engag'd for Monday 23 March, advertised for his benefit, and Mr Rich having kindly given him Saturday the 14th, he humbly hopes (the shortness of the Time not permitting him to wait on his Friends as usual) those Ladies and Gentlemen who desire to favour him with their presence, will be pleased to sen for their tickets and places, to his House next Old Slaughter's Coffee House in St Martin's Lane. Receipts: #100 2s. 6d. plus #206 15s. from tickets (Box and Pit 827) (Account Book). Charges: #63 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Poor's rate for St Martin's half year to Midsummer last #20 4s.; Paid printer's bill #9 6s.; Mr Bensley on note #75 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #106 11s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid Scavanger's rate for 3 quarters due 14 Sept. last for St Martin's #7 11s. 6d.; Paid balance of author's Night for Country Girl #50 7s. and after money to ditto #3 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #154 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid B. Johnson's Head #1 16s. 3d.; Charity to the poor of St Martin's #6 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #220 6s. (Treasurer's Book)