Event Comment: Benefit Muilment. Mr Garrick's Indisposition not suffering him to play, I have prevail'd upon Mr Mills to endeavour to play his part, as well as the shortness of the time will permit, which I hope will be more agreeable to my Friends than changing the Play. Being the last time of performing till the Holidays. [Craftsman No. 580 this day, quoted in the Gentlemen's Magazine, included a brief plea for the present ministry to get the Play-house Act repealed.

Event Comment: Great Noise when Woodward came on in Ostrich--Mr Garrick advanc'd & said--Gentlemen, if Mr Woodward's oath don't satisfie you, pray defer ye Resentm[en]t till tomorrow when it will be corroborated by some others--all Quiet (Cross). Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Havard. Mr King has kindly undertaken on a very short word, to speak the Original Prologue this evening as Mr Garrick performs both in the play and the Interlude

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid George Garrick #50; Paid Mr Guy (plumber) #53 15s.; Mr Debrose, (linen draper) #20 11s. 6d.; Scott (copper lace) bill #158 15s. 6d.; Hewetson (silver lace) bill #42 8s.; Gastrill (mercer) 2 bills, #227 2s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #196 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid 5 days salary list #441 15s.,; King's extra salary #2 10s.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; Mr J. Palmer on note #21 (Treasurer's Book). [This month was printed An Apology for the Conduct of Charles Macklin, Comedian, which, it is hoped, will have some effect in favour of an aged player, by whom the public at large have been uncommonly gratified." Price 1s. Axtell (Gentleman's Magazine Register). This year was publish'd Miscellaneous Pieces in Verse and Prose, with Cursory Theatrical Remarks, by P. Lewis, Comedian. Contains some apostrophes to Garrick, Holland, etc.] Receipts: #213 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Acted but once these 14 years. [See 4 May 1772.] Paid Hewetson & Co. (lacemen) #13 6s.; Thomson (smith) #52 7s. 6d.; Stacy (colourman) #13 12s.; J. Johnston's Music Bill #26 15s.; Mr Hopkins (for author of Maid of Oak's) Bill #4 4s.; Mr Luppino for making dresses &c. #64 14s. 6d.; Cole (turner) #16 2s.; G. Garrick on Acct #100; Chorus 2 nights (Courtney excluded) #2 15s. Receipts: #123 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs King was put in the Bills in the following manner: Rosalind By Command by Mrs King. A Circumstance I never knew before, nor do I know by what accident it happened. I'm Sure it's a particular Honour, which her acting cannot deserve (Hopkins Diary). By Command. [Macmillan's note form Kemble comments on Hopkins' astonishment at the command procedure: "This circumstance was a contrivance of Mr Garrick's in order to mortify Mrs Yates, Mrs Abington, and Miss Younge."] Paid Mr Loutherbourg on acct. #31 13s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). [This payment occured monthly, and was made up to #261 10s. 4d. by a final payment of #8 on 29 June 1776. No further itemization of it will be made.] Receipts: #260 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Portia by Mrs Siddons being her first appearance upon this Stage a good figure rather handsome--wants Spirit and ease her Voice a little course very well receiv'd (Hopkins, Diary). Paid Mr Wrighten on note #100; Mr Garrick 2 nights for Bon Ton and Little Gipsey, #238. Receipts: #197 (Treasurer's Book). Books of the Songs and Chorusses of the Afterpiece to be had at the Theatre. [This note appeared on all subsequent bills advertising the Jubilee this season.] The most accomplished actress can display little other abilities in this part [Portia] than a correct elocution, and a knowledge of the author. The lady of last night being thus circumstanced [her first appearance] it is impossible to pronounce what the nature or extent of her powers may enable her to execute when placed in a situation that calls them forth. But from the speciman she gave there is not room to expect anything beyond mediocrity. Her figure and face, although agreeable, have nothing striking, her voice (that requisite of all public speakers) is far from being favourable to her progress as an actress. It is feared she possess a monotone not to be got rid of; there is also vulgarity in her tones, ill calculated to sustain that line in a theatre she has at first been held forth in; but as these observations are formed when the lady laboured under the disadvantages of a first attempt in the metropolis, her future efforts may perhaps entirely remove them (Middlesex Journal, 30 Dec. Quoted in Hampden, Journal)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. When Face ask'd Drugger if he had any Interest with the Players--Mr G. Answer'd I believe I had once but don't know if I have now or not--It It had a good Effect--his having Just Sold his Share of the Patent (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] On Wed. Night Jan. 18, 1776, Mr Garrick concluded his treaty for the sale of his share of the patent and property of Drury Lane Theatre to 4 gentlemen for #35,000 (Winston MS 11). Receipts: #256 9s. (Treasurer's Book)