Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser: Sir: I beg leave by means of your paper, to acquaint the friends of Tom Harbin, that he intends shortly to have a Benefit at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden: Having in consequebce of the advice of many of them, apply'd himself to Mr Rich, on that account who very generously and readily said he would contribute anything in his power to serve him; and as one night of the week might be better than another, (as his Interest lay) he gave him his choice, whereupon he chose Wednesday, as being a night of most leisure amongst people eminent in trade, on whom the city depends. He persuades himself that those who have laughed with him, will not laugh at him for requesting a favour (which his circumstances could never be supposed to put him above accepting) from persons of affluent fortunes, which the generality of his friends are; and who Experienc'd good nature, he doubts not, will serve him on this occasion. In a few days Publick notice will be given of the time, the Play, &c. I am &c. Jack Friendly, Grigsby's Coffee House, Nov. 7, 1748. [See General Advertiser, 8 Nov. See also 14 Dec.

Event Comment: This farce of Lethe was wrote some years ago and play'd with Success, & was reviv'd this Night with great Alterations, & was but indifferently receiv'd by the Audience (Cross). The Poet, Frenchman, & Sot Mr Garrick perform'd most inimitably (Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 138). No After Money will be taken, and no Persons will be Admitted behind the Scenes (General Advertiser). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #186 7s. (Powel). N.B.: Mr G-k is the author of Lethe and did receive #36 8s. 6d. for this night which is the overplus after the charge of #63 for the House is paid, and which I must subtract from the rest (Powel). [A letter appeared in the General Advertiser this day giving advance notice and approval of a performance of Cato to be put on at Leicester House 7 Jan. by members of the Royal Family. The author noted that "proper Habits are absolutely in the making," and that the Princes would learn the principles of liberty from the lines of the play.

Event Comment: Peace Proclaim'd (Cross). Yesterday most of the Foreign Ministers had a very grand entertainment at Pontack's, on Account of the Peace being proclaimed yesterday at Paris. This morning the Peace is to be proclaim'd, pursuant to his majesty's royal warrant, signed for that purpose, the ceremony of which is to be in the following manner (General Advertiser). [Follows an account of the five places and times of reading the proclamation throughout the city.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #116 15s. (Powel)

Event Comment: This month, as recorded in the Gentleman's Magazine Register of Books, was published A General History of the Stage, from its origin in Greece down to the present time. With the Memoirs of most of the principal performers that have appeared on the English and Irish Stage. With notes antient and modern, foreign, domestic, serious, comic, moral, merry, historical, and geographical. Containing many theatrical anecdotes; also several pieces of poetry never before published. Collected and digested by W. R. Chetwood, twenty years prompter to His Majesty's Company of Comedians at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Printed for W. Owen

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: Benefit for Berry. Tickets at Pope's Peruke Maker Russell St. Rec'd Cash #93 3s., plus #92 11s. from tickets. Total #185 14s.; Paid Salary List #203 7s.; Norton 5 chorus #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). To the Public, Gentlemen and Ladies, I am very sorry that a long, sharp, and severe fit of Illness prevents me the satisfaction of making my personal application to my friends as usual, against my Benefit; but finding myself every day rather worse than better, I hope you will be so kind as to take this notice, that the Stratagem, will be performed on Saturday the 21st of April; the part of Archer by Mr Garrick, for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Mills; with a Farce and all other usual Entertainments. From your most oblig'd Servant, William Mills. Mr Mills hopes his friends who intend to honour him with their company, will be so kind as to send to him for Places, Tickets, &c., or call upon him at Mr Gardner's Printing Office in Russel St., Covent Garden; or at Hobson's at the stage door (General Advertiser). Receipts: #180 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Receipts: #40 (Cross). [The Epilogue Occasioned by the Two Occasional Prologues published in the General Advertiser. Fifty-one lines ending: @"No more shall either rack his brains to teaze ye@But let the Contest be who most shall please ye." [In the form of a story, mocking Garrick and Berry]: "Once on a time two boys were throwing dirt@A gentle youth was one, and one was somewhat pert.@Each to his Master with his tale retreated,@Who gravely heard their different parts repeated,@How Tom was rude, and Jack poor lad ill treated."

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Miss Talbot to Miss Carter (28 Nov.): My other amusement was going to see Much Ado about Nothing, which has always been one of my favourite comedies, as surely a most excellent vein of pleasantry runs through the whole. It was incomparably acted, and I know not when we have spent so laughing an evening (Letters, 2 vols. (London 1808), I, 239). Receipts:#80 (Cross)

Event Comment: The Play of Othello, which was performed last night at Drury Lane theatre, by some gentlemen and ladies to the most numerous and polite Audience that could be assembled, went off throughout with great approbation and applause (General Advertiser). [See A Satirical Dialogue between a Sea Captain and his friend in Town: Humble submitted to the Gentlemen who deformed the Play of Othello on Th-rs-y M- the 7th....To which is added a Prologue and Epilogue much more suitable to the occasion than their own. (London [n.d.], BM 11,795, K 31, 8pp): @'Good manners oblig'd them sometimes to applaud@Tho' they little deserv'd it...'@ The author laments the fact that the expenditure (#1,500) was not put out to charitable purposes, rather than for such entertainment.] This day is publish'd at 1s. 6d., beautifully printed, Alfred, a Masque, acting at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, by Mr Mallet. Printed for A. Miller, opposite Catherine St in the Strand, where may be had Alfred, a Masque, represented before their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales at Cliefden, on the first of August 1740. Written by Mr Thomson and Mr Mallet

Event Comment: This Day is Publish'd at 2s. sew'd The British Theatre. Containing the lives of the English Dramatic Poets, with an Account of all their plays. Together with the Lives of all of most of the principal Actors, as well as Poets. To which is prefix'd a short view of the Rise and Progress of the English Stage. Printed for R. Baldwin

Event Comment: Benefit for a Tradesman under Confinement. [This benefit had first been advertised on Monday 11 Nov. Tickets were to be had at seven Coffee Houses, at Mr Watkins' Optician, at Charing Cross, Mrs Crokett's, Harberdasher at the Seven Stars, Ludgate St., and at the stage door. On the day of the benefit one Philantropos contributed a letter in support of it which was printed in the first column of the General Advertiser. The Tradesman was a bookseller who was "the immediate instrument of ushering into the world some of the most valuable books that have been publish'd for these 30 years." But he had paid more attention to the advancement of letters than "to the lucrative views that attend the trade in general," so, in the eyes of Philantropos deserved the support of the town at this benefit.] The death of Mr Cooke mentioned in the Papers is a mistake, he being in a fair way of recovery (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye widow of Capt. James Spencer, an Officer &c., and her small Children (Cross). An Old Officer who had been in His Majesty's Service 46 years, but dying when upon half-pay has left the Widow without pension and with several small children in greatest distress. N.B. Part of the Pit will be rail'd into the boxes and servants will be allowed to keep places on the Stage. Tickets to be had of Mrs Spencer, the uppermost house in Prince's Court, by Storey's Gate; the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden; the Tiltyard Coffee House; St James Coffee House; Sweet's Coffee House, Bukingham Court; Bridge Street Coffee House; The Rainbow Coffee House, Ludgate Hill; the Temple Exchange, Fleet St.; the Rainbow, Cornhill; and at the Stage Door of the theatre where places may be taken. Mr Norton Amber, humbly hopes this general acknowledgment of the favour which his friends were pleas'd to confer on him by their generous appearance last Night at Drury Lane, will be accepted, instead of a more particular application, which his constant employment prevents; and begs leave to assure them, that he shall ever retain a most grateful sense of their indulgent assistance. Receipts: #252 (Cross)

Event Comment: long letter appeared in the General Advertiser favoring support of places of public entertainment for the lower classes: That Spectacles such as Rope Dancing, Tumbling and Feats of Activity, are the most harmless and best accommodated to the Genius of the Common people of any which are exhibited, will be evident on considering that they neither harden the heart, pervert or inflame the Inclinations, nor corrupt the principles, but simply gratify the curiosity, the only means by which the populace can receive pleasure from objects of this kind."

Event Comment: [The Temple of Taste this night included a Panegyric on the Genius of Shakespear.' The questions for debate: Ought not Ladies to fill Civil Offices? and Which character is the most difficult to support with reputation, that of the Orator or the Player?" Ladies had complained of the heat occasioned by the crowd of people attending, and were assured care would be taken to render the room somewhat airy (General Advertiser).

Event Comment: This day publish'd at 1s. the first number of the Dramatic Censor, being remarks on the tragedy of Venice Preserv'd, with observations on the principal performers, by Mr Derrick. This pamphlet is a specimen of criticism intended to be made on our most celebrated dramatic pieces. By several hands. Wherein, should the publick approve by encouraging this first essay, not the beauties and Inaccuracies of the poet, but of the several performers will be considered...To this number is added Proposals for printing by Subscription a New Tragedy call'd Osman by Mr Gentleman

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Cibber. Afterpiece: A Dramatic piece of one act taken from the French. Never perform'd before. The characters in it to be newdress'd. Pit and boxes laid together and amphitheatre on stage. Tickets deliver'd for 3 March will be taken. [See, 20 March. The note in Have at you all; or, The Drury Lane Journal (19 March) seems to comment on this performance: Those heroic full-bottomed perukes, whose bushy expanse is spread over the whole back of the wearer, have lately been exploded on the stage, and a more natural, I mean a less enormous covering for the head substituted in its stead. Unfortunately Mr Barry this night chose to appear in one of the most curiously frizzled out and of the fullest tragical flow I ever saw: When in the last act it was our heroes turn to be kill'd, honest Ryan being eager to dispatch him, just as he was to plump down upon the carpet, entangled his hand in the vast profusion of Macbeth's hair; and by jerking back his sword after the concluding stab, away came poor periwig along with it, while our hero was left expos'd, in the last agonies of death-bare headed. Ryan in the meanwhile with some confuconfusion contemplated Full-Bottom, which he held dangling in his hand, but sadly tumbled out of curl; at length he good naturedly adjusted it on the bald pate of the tyrant, who was then enabled to make his dying speech with proper regularity and decorum."

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber's New Entertainment call'd the Oracle, which was acted last Tuesday for her benefit, met with the most general applause; and she is thought to excel in the character of Cinthia, as much as any she ever performed

Event Comment: By Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Benefit for Francis Callaway Citizen of London, under Misfortunes, being unavoidably involved in a most litigious Chancery Suit. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s

Event Comment: [The afterpiece] An Arabian Night's Entertainment produc'd in two parts with New Scenes, Habits, Music & Decorations. Full Prices. Went off with great applause (Cross). It is hop'd no Gentlemen will take it ill that they cannot possibly be admitted behind the Scenes or into the Orchestra, the Entertainment depending chiefly upon the Machinery and Music. [Repeated on all Genii Bills this season.] This new entertainment...hath fully decided the controversy and fix'd the superiority of Pantomime to Drury Lane Theatre, as it had before had of almost everything else;...for beauty of scenery, elegance of dress, propriety of music, and regularity of designs, it exceeds all the boasted grandeur of Harlequin Sorcerer, or of any I have seen either separate or collective. The last scene beggars all description; the most romantic Eastern account of sumptuous palaces are but faint to this display of beauty, this glow of light, this profusion of glittering gems, which adorn the whole, and much exceeds all expectations. I rejoice and congratulate myself that I am not of that modern way of thinking (or rather seeming to think) that nothing can deserve the epithet good from their superior taste, but while I am pleased will own it, and not endeavor to gain the character of a critick, ar the expense of violation of my senses (Scourge No. 14, quoted in the Gentleman's Magazine, Dec. 1752, p. 582). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: MMr Woodward's Night for Making ye Genii (Cross). There was such a Prodigious crowd to get into the Pit and Galleries at Drury Lane, being Mr Woodward's Night, that many of the females who came there with aprons, Handkerchiefs, caps and Capuchins, returned home without them; it was the most numerous and brilliant Audience that has been seen for some time(Public Advertiser, 16 Jan.). Receipts: #206 (Cross)

Event Comment: For the Small Pox Hospital; Pit and Boxes 1!2 Guinea; a Treble Ticket at 26s., which admits a Gentleman and two Ladies to the Pit and Boxes, and the Gentleman to Dinner at Merchant Taylors Hall. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. No more Tickets will be disposed of than will conveniently fill the House, nor will any Money be taken at the Doors, or Collection at the Theatre. This being a Morning's Entertainment it is not expected that the Ladies come full-dressed. The most convenient way to the upper gallery at the Theatre, is through the King's Yard. To begin at 12 noon

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter and Miss Haughton. Tickets at stage door. [For criticism of Shuter and Miss Haughton, see Genest, IV, p. 363, from The Present State of the Stage in Great Britain and Ireland, 1753. Nineteen of the Fifty-five pages of this pamphlet defend the stage on classicial authority and moral grounds from attacks by the religious bigots, and present an ideal picture of a manager, laying under some contribution, it would seem, the character of a manager presented ten years earlier (1743) in Queries to be Answered. The author especially likes the moral of Tate's alteration of Lear. The remaining pages give a paragraph or two of criticism to the leading actors and actresses in some of their most affecting parts (sixteen pages to Drury Lane Performers, all of whom appear in the author's eye to be either "Excellent" or "Very Good.") The remaining space is devoted to the performers at Covent Garden and at the Theatre Royal in Dublin. All those spoken of fare well in the hands of this bound-to-be pleased critic. Shuter is here commended for ability to play an Old Man convincingly though he was but 22 years old, and to play at all considering his lack of education. He possesses a great fund of drollery, and bids fair to be as great in low comedy as it is possible for man to conceive.' Miss Haughton described as an actress of promise. Seems never to have got the better of a lisp, and a Newcastle manner of pronouncing the letter 'r.'] Receipts: #290 (Cross)

Event Comment: [L+Letter to Miss Nossiter on Her First Appearance, pub. at 1s. praises her "natural acting" and analyses the character of Juliet as a most appropriate one for beginners: "In the First act she hath scarce anything to say; which affords her some breathing time to recover the confusion, into which her first appearance, before so awful an assembly must naturally throw her." Criticizes a supposed rival for planting herself full against her, as if with an intent by the superior force of her effrontery to stare away the little degree of Courage" Miss Nossiter had left. Her youth and freshness required no paint, so her color came and went as the passion required it, no small addition to the impression of natural acting. She is never inattentive on stage. She feels what others say as much as what she speaks herself. The Author gives practically a speech by speech account of her part, describing her gesture, action, and modulation of voice minutely. Concludes by pointing the reader's attention to Otway's contribution to the Garrick version which was played then at both houses. Praises Barry for instructing Miss Nossiter and bringing her to the stage. Hopes Garrick will refrain from attacking her in his papers, The Craftsman and Gray's Inn Journal, because she will one day become such an ornament to the stage, that I shall be proud to own myself the first who publicly displayed her merit.' Hers is the greatest real first attempt made by man or Woman on the stage, within these 40 years." See also 1 Nov.

Event Comment: PPublic Advertiser: As I saw in the papers that the tragedy of Phaedra is shortly to be acted at Covent Garden, I thought that the following lines, written upon Mrs Woffington's performance of the character in Ireland would not be unacceptable to you, or to your readers. They fell casually into my hands. If you think them worth inserting, they are at your service [a poem of 104 lines follows]: @Oft has the poet sweetly sung in vain@When tasteless actors chaunt the heavenly strain... Woffington seems reserved to play the part magnificently. The analysis, tho' fettered to the couplet, is more specific as to her gestures and expression, and tone, than most such commentaries

Event Comment: Nusquam hodie effugies, veniam quocumque vocaris. Rare Words. I wonder where he stole 'em. Swift. To begin at 7 p.m. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. [A contest was in the making. This night Macklin advertised at his Great Room in Hart St.; At the request of most of the Wits, Witlings, Scorners, Laughers, Jokers, Sneers, and other Choice Spirits of this Metropolis...will come on before the Inquisitor General, the Trial of the egregius Sam. Smatter, alias Woud'be, alias Mimic, alias Buffon, alias Critt, alias Wit, alias Beau, alias fine Gentleman, and vulgarly call'd Esquire, for a public cheat and Imposter. The whole public are summoned to be on the Jury. Common Sense their Forman. Nusquam hodie effugies, veniam quocumque vagaris. Rare words, I wonder where he stole 'em. Swift. Out of Mr--'s Portmanteau; the particulars of which Sam Smatter can inform any person of who shall ask him that favour."