Event Comment: Benefit for Jones. A Serenata. Books of which may be had at the theatre. To begin at twelve o'clock promptly (General Advertiser). To the Publick: Walking in St James's Park the other day, I followed two young Gentlemen along the Mall, and overheard one of them say to the other, "shall we go and offer sacrifice to the Manes of Milton?" To which the other reply'd "with all my heart." I must own I had some curiosity to know in what this ceremony would consist, and determined to observe them. I accordingly followed them at some distance, into Dodsley the Bookseler's in Pall Mall; where to my great satisfaction I found that this most acceptable sacrifice was only an offering of Charity to the Granddaughter of Milton; who on account of her age, her poverty, and her relation to that great Man, is to have a Benefit at Drury Lane Theatre on Wednesday next. I willingly joined in their devotions, and rejoice with the Publick on their having an opportunity of shewing their gratitude and Veneration to a man whose Genius reflects a lustre on the British Literature, and whose sentiments have added strength to the British liberties; to an author whose works have been the delight of our Fathers, and will be the Admiration of our sons: latest posterity; to an Englishman who is not only the Glory of our Country, but the Honour to Human Nature. This fair Opportunity of paying a respect to his Memory (the last of the kind that can be offered to us, as Mrs Foster is the only surviving branch of his family) must certainly be embraced with Eagerness and pleasure; all who have any pretence to an Elegant Taste, all lovers of Liberty, and every friend of the Muses, will surely crowd to the house on this distinguish'd night, and give at once an instance of the politeness of their manners, and the goodness of their hearts, I am, &c. A Lover of Milton (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Oratorio: Written by Milton. Set to Music by Handel. Among the instrumental performers are Messrs Ashley andSons, Patria, Sarjant, Billington, Mahon, Boyce, Mountain, Howard, Lavenu, Simpson, Gwilliam, Purney, Munro, Leander, Kaye, Sharp, Lyon, &c. Double Drums by J. Ashley. The whole under the direction of Harrison and Ashley. At Play-house Prices. No money to be returned. Places for the Boxes to be had of Brandon at the Theatre. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin precisely at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Books of the Performance, with the names of the performers to their respective songs, price 6d., may be had at the Theatre, and to prevent imposition in the streets, the Manager's books are printed with the following words at the bottom of each title-page, "Printed by H. Macleish, Duke's court, Drury-Lane.

Event Comment: Oratorio: Written by Milton, and set to Music by Handel. Instrumental Performers as 12 Feb., but added: Lavenu. Morning Herald, 18 Feb.: Both Sweet Bird, accompanied on the violin by G. Ashley, and But o sad virgin, accompanied on the cello by C. Ashley, were sung by Miss Parke; Let me wander not unseen by Miss Leak; Come and trip it by Master Elliot

Event Comment: LLondon Daily Post and General Advertiser, 25 Feb. contained the following verses: Hearing Mr Handel's Samson at Covent Garden. Rais'd by his subject Milton nobly flew And all Parnassus open'd to our view; By Milton fir'd Great Handel strikes our ear, And every power of harmony we hear. When two such mighty artists blend their fire Pour forth each Charm that Genius can inspire The man whose bosom does not raptures feel, Must have no soul, or all his heart be steel

Event Comment: Never Acted before. Alter'd from Milton's Masque perform'd (upwards of a Hundred Years since) at Ludlow-Castle, and now adapted to the Stage. [By John Dalton.

Event Comment: Alter'd from Milton's Masque at Ludlow-Castle, and now adapted to the Stage. The Musick compos'd by Mr Arne

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Alter'd from Milton's Masque at Ludlow-Castle, and now adapted to the Stage

Event Comment: RRev. T. Newton to David Garrick, 18 Jan.: I was almost angry with you, to see your name last week in the bills for Costar Pearmain. I am not fond of your acting such parts as Fondlewife, or even Clodio, nor should be of the Lying Valet, if it was not of your own writing. You who are equal to the greatest parts, strangely demean yourself in acting any thing that is low and little; and not only I, but really all who admire you and Wish you well, that is all who know you, are grieved and wonder at it. If I was an actor surely I would rather wish to be a Raphael than a Hogarth; or if I was a poet, I would choose infinitely rather to be a Milton than Hudibras.--Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 5-6. [Morning Herald 28 June 1787 suggests that Yates was Winifred apShenkin.

Event Comment: Never acted there before. With all new Habits. Adapted to the stage, as alter'd from Milton's Masque at Ludlow Castle

Event Comment: Benefit Dr Clancy. "The Day returns, but not to me returns," Milton. This Gentleman being deprived of the Advantages of following his profession; and as the writing he had produced for the stage could not be brought out this season, the Master of the Playhouse has been so kind as to favour him with a Benefit Night: It is therefore hoped, that as this will be the first instance of any person laboring under so heavy a deprivation, performing on the stage, the Novelty, as well as the Unhappyness of his case, will engage the favour and protection of a British Audience. Note: Tickets to be had at the Temple-Exchange Coffee House in Fleet Street; Tom's Coffee House in Cornhill; St. James Coffee House, St. James's Street; Child's Coffee House, St. Paul's Churchyard and the Chapter Coffee House in Paternoster Row. Places for Boxes to be Taken at the Stage Door of the Theatre. [General Advertiser, 4 April, publish'd a fifty-six Prologue (licensed) Intended for Oedipus, acted for the Benefit of the Very Ingenious Dr Clancy, written by Mr Lockman.