Event Comment: Benefit Stephens. Mainpiece: At the particular desire of several Ladies of Quality. Tickets deliver'd out for As You Like It will be taken. Tickets to be had of Stephens at the Jar, opposite Red-Lion St., Holborn; of Mr Johnson, at the White Hart in Paternoster Row; and at the stage door next Bow St. where places may be taken. Last Night Shakespear's play of King Henry the Fifth, was performed at Covent Garden, with the many incidents that are applicable to the present Juncture of Affairs with France, occasioned the whole to be receiv'd with an uncommon Applause.--General Advertiser, 21 April

Event Comment: This being the Last time of Mr G. performing he generously gave the Profits of the Night to the Theatrical Fund, he spoke the Usual prologue & after the play he went forward & address'd the Audience in so pathetic a Manner as draw Tears from the Audience & himself & took his leave of them forever (Hopkins Diary). [Accounts of the farewell address in the Morning Post and in Davies; Life of Garrick.] So Ends the Season 67 different Play 32 different Farce 189 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). N.B. The profits of this night appropriated to the benefit of the Theatrical Fund: Cash #309 2s.; After Money #2 10s. 6d. Received #311 12s. 6d. Paid #36 5s. 9d. viz: @Renters #8@Supernumeraries & Kettle Drum #2 11s.@Soldiers 14s.@Extra Constables #1 10s. 6d.@Candles, Oyl & Lampmen #3 18s. 6d.@Carpenters Extras #2 1s.@Music Band #7 18s. 9d.@Messrs. Legg, Lauchery, Larivere, Garland & Langlois Salary #1 13s. 4d.@Sundry Doorkeepers & Servants #7 18s. 8d. @#36 5s. 9d.@Rec'd #311 12s. 6d.@Paid #36 5s. 9d.@Remains #275 6s. 9d.@Brought Fd #62 3s. 7d. from 10th May@Total #337 10s. 4d.@ N.B. The above sum of the two Nights for Theatrical Fund-order'd by Mr Garrick this 25th day of June 1776 to be paid into the hands of Mr Hatsell (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS (Treasurer's Book): 11 June: Rec'd Box office keeper's cash #25; Candles, Oil &c. the 2nd Fund night #7 17s.; From Mr Dodd in Full #21. 24 June: From Sinking Fund (3rd) in full #963 10s.; From Grimaldi on acct #70; From Mrs Smith (singer) in full #31 10s. 2 July: From Public Advertiser for this season #50; Gazetteer ditto #50. 4 July: Their Majesties Acct this season #76; from Mr Harrison one yrs. rent Land tax deducted #37 5s. 5 July: From Mr Parsonage 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Midsummer (tax deducted) #53 15s. 15 July: From Mr Pope 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Mids. Last (taxes deducted) #35 12s. 6d.; Mr Heath 1 yr. and 1!2 Rent to Mids last #15. 19 July: From Mrs Johnston 1 yr. & one quarter rent to Mids. last #7 10s.; Mrs Groath 1!2 year to ditto #1 10s. Mr Percy three quarters Rent to ditto #7 10s.; Mr Waterer five quarters rent to ditto (land tax deducted) #51 7s. 25 July: Sundry forfeits taken up by Evans #38 5s. AFTER SEASON EXPENDITURES (Treasurer's Book): 11 June: Five days salary to sundries at #88 2s. 10d. per diem #440 14s. 2d.; George Garrick in full of #400 #5 13s. 4d.; Slingsby in full of #350 #1 3s. 4d.; Everard on note #10 10s.; Davis on note #21; Mr King to make up #500 in full #32 10s.; Lauchery on note #15 15s.; Mr Page in full of #25 #1 12s. 6d. 28 June: To Lord Walpole for one year's acting season #315; Mr Highly in Full of his building acct #85 19s.; Ditto for 3 yrs. ground rent to the 24th inst. #42. [For explanation of Walpole payment, see Boaden, Garrick Correspondence, II, 155 an involved agreement re an annuity dating from October 1761, now being collected because of new taxes on Carriages, and because Lady Walpole was footsore and would walk nowhere.] 20 June: Adelphi Tavern Bill & Waiters #20 10s. 6d.; Mr Park, chorus 4 nights in full #1 10s.; Mr R. Johnston's property Bills in full #33 1s. 6d. 24 June: Mr D. Garrick in full of #1,300 #235 13s. 2d.; Mr R. Harwood's gratuity #5 5s. 2 July: One yrs. subscription for St George's Hospital for both the managers #10 10s. 5 July: Three quarter's rent pd for Miss Abrahams at Gardners #37 10s. 9 July: Blakes (hatter) #11 15s.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #94 17s.; Hadley & Co., Engine, #12 12s.; Thomson (smith) #6 15s.; Barrow & Co., Oil, #108 13s. 6d.; Ireland (upholsterer) #17 2s. 6d.; Stevens (mason) #42 7s. 6d.; Hewetson (laceman) #9 2s.; Racket (taylor) #16 9s.; Barret (wax chandler) #14 5s.; Waller (hosier) #11 5s. 11 July: Machin, Chorus singer, #6, Bibb (sword cutler) #2 5s.; Gardner (shoemaker) #3 2s.; Marshall (plumber) #4 13s.; Stacey (colourman) #4 17s. 15 July: Daley (sadler) #5 5s.; Scott (copperlace) #25 14s. 6d.; Norfolk (glazier) #3 7s.; Carpue (silk Dyer) #18 13s.; Mrs Carter (scowerer) #1 14s. 6d.; Chettle (timber) #4 6s. 7d.; Pope, for Wiggs, #12 12s.; ditto for 81 extra nights dressing #8 2s.; Mr Preston 69 nights dressing Mr Garrick #5 3s. 6d.; Hatsell (mercer) #47 3s. 16 July: Powney (stationer) #2 10s.; Jennings (glover) #25 17s. 6d.; Prior (turner) #9 5s. 6d; Hopkin's Prompter's bill #13 18s.; Palmer for Sperma. Candles #7 14s.; Kirkman (harpsicord maker) #13 17s. 6d.; Hele (surveyor) #26 10s. 19 July: Mrs Garwood (laundress) #2 12s. 8d.; a Green coat for Mr Garrick #3 3s.; Mr Woods, chorus, 63 nights in full, #15 15s.; Mr French's bills in full #235 3s. 6d. 22 July: Mr Waterer, Black Lyon dinner Bills #56 8s. 6d. 25 July: Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 18s. 6d.; Cubit (tinman) #2 15s.; Kirk (housekeeper) three quarter's salary to Midummer #30; Victor's gratuity and two weeks salary #35; Evans in lieu of Benefit #42 and 2 weeks salary #3; Mr Westley 2 weeks salary #1 10s. AFTER SEASON COMPUTATION: DRURY LANE 1775-1776: Books closed 25 July 1776. @Total income #37,917 3s. 10d.@Total Expense #33,453 18s. 4d.@Profit #4,463 5s. 6d. divided as follows:@Mr Clutterbuck #1,000@Managers #3,240@ In Victor's hands #223 5s. 6d. [presumably for summer expenses and opening the next season. The Treasurer's Book also mentions a sum of #575 18s. 8d. at Mr Clutterbucks, without indication of its source or contemplated use.

Event Comment: Benefit for Robinson, Berrisford, Carlton Jr and Kaygill. Saw the Beggar's Opera at Drury Lane. Pit and Gallery so full no place Went into front Box ou much mob--low sort of people had tickets given them--side boxes almost empty. Extremely pleased with Mrs Smith (the Polly whom I never heard before), Mrs Wrighten (Lucy) and Vernon (Macheath) who all performed incomparably well (Baker Diary, p. 259). So Ends the Season 63 different Plays 36 different Farces 188 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #201 15s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Berrisford, Robinson, Carlton, and Kaygille: #117 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). AFTER SEASON RECEIPTS (Treasurer's Book). 5 June: Rec'd Box Officer keeper's cash (deficit #6 5s.) #18 15s.; Benefit deficiencies #142 13s. 6d.; Remainder of Mr S. Barry's Bag #40 3s. 8d. 15 June: Rec'd in benefit deficiencies #223 18s.; Mr Griffith in full of #12 lent him #2 5s.; Mr Davies on acct #20; J. Aickin ditto #16 11s. 6d. 18 June: Public Advertiser and Gazetteer acct this season #100. 19 June: Sundry salaries taken up by Mr Evans #227 4s.; Remainder of Sinking Fund #70. 23 June: Rowland one yrs rent to Lady Day (#43 with #2 2s. tax decuted) #40 18s.; Mr Pope one yrs rent ditto (#30 with #1 13s. King's tax deducted) #28 7s.; Harrison one yrs rent ditto (#46 with #7 King's tax deducted) #39; Balance from Clutterbuck #159 16s.; Discount on #344 18s. 6d., the amount of tallow chandler's Bills this season #27 11s. 9d.; From the Managers per Mr D. G. #534 11s. 8d. 1 July: J. Johnston in part of Music forfeits #29 10s. 6d. 2 July: From A. Johnston for oil and sperm. Candle ends sold to sundry #6 12s. 6d. 3 July: Their Majesties Acct 3 nights #30; Her Majesty's Ladies Acct ditto #9; Williams one yrs rent to Lady Day last (#48 with #4 King's tax deducted) #44. EXPENDITURES 15 June: Paid J. French on acct #20; Wegg half yrs rent to Lady Day last #57. 19 June: Paid Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; Loutherbourg (in full of #300) #70; D. Garrick (in full of #800) #254 11s. 8d.; King's extra salary at #3 Per week) #93 10s.; Parsons in lieu of a benefit night #80; J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s. 23 June: Paid Black Lyon Wardrobe and Carpenter's Dinner bills #16 10s. 8d.; Pope's bill for wigs #21 4s., and for 54 nights extra dressing &c. #5 8s.; Tallow chandler's 10th and last bill #23 11s. 9d. 24 June: Paid Bibb, sword cutler, #14 16s. 6d.; Dorman, Coals, #27 15s., and for attending practices of Dances, as usual #10 10s.; Jennings, Glover & Furrier #21 9s.; Cropley (linen draper) #35 12s.; Cole (turner) #7 3s.; Hatsell (mercer) #35 9s.; Marshall & Co. (plumbers) #15; Thomson (smith) #15 15s. 6d.; Barber, for men's cloaths #6 6s.; Barret (wax chandler) #18 14s.; Ireland (upholder) #27 6s. 6d.; Blakes (hatter) #16 19s.; Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #42 2s.; Carpue (silk dyer) #9 10s.; Carter (scowerer); Jones (worsted lace man) #3 17s.; Hinchcliff (mercer) #36 11s. 6d.; Cubit (tinman) #12 7s.; Lowe & Co. (glasiers) #1 16s.; J. French on Acct #10. 25 June: Waller & Co. (hosiers) #20 19s.; Scott (copper laceman) #47 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, Harpsicord tuning #18 16s.; Mrs Chitty, Coals, #28 5s. A. Johnston a bill for gilt leather &c. #51 15s.; J. Aickin's Law bill to Mr Stephens #54 7s. 9d.; Mrs Garwood for work for the Wardrobe, &c. #17 16s. 6d.; Barrow & Co., for oil, #170; half yrs rent to Duke of Bedford to Lady Day Last, #165 17s. 7d.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 3s.; Mr Page in full of #25 for this season, #1 10s. 1 July: Paid Daigville's 5 Children Dancing &c. in full #5 5s.; Johnston Music bill to Xmas last, #29 10s. 6d.; Chettel (timber) #46 3s.; D. Richards of M: Band 31 weeks and 1 day, extra salary at #1 per week for this season, #31 3s. 4d.; Victor's gratuity as usual, #30; Evans in lieu of a Benefit #42; Hopkins, prompter's bill, #4 12s. 6d.; Jenkins, extra Trumpet 17 nights in full #8 18s. 6d.; Miss P. Hopkins, 8 Nights in full #2; C. Roberts (shoemaker) #6 9s. 6d.; One yrs Watch & Paving for Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last #4 8s.; Victor & Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #8. BOOKS CLOSED 1 July 1773: Total income #32,639 15s. 5d. Total outgo #27,705 7s. 3d. Profit #4,934 8s. 2d. distributed as follows: To Managers #3,760; To Clutterbuck #1000, To Clutterbuck #174 8s. 2d

Event Comment: In the Gazetteer 25 Feb. appeared a long editorial by "Rectus": "Though the performing oratorios in the time of Lent,is highly censured by many, yet I must own that I think the far greater part of them become enemies to those solemn performances, rather because their ears are more unfit for music than their minds are for the pretended immorality that attends such exhibitions." [The writer wishes not to cry down every entertainment he cannot relish himself and adds], "I have long endeavoured to find out the reason why plays should not be performed on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent as well as on those days all through the rest of the season. I have never yet been able to find out that Lent makes the least difference in people's way of living." [He wonders, however, why the non-sacred oratorios such as Acis and Galatea and Alexander's Feast have been allowed performance. He then registers a mild complaint about the management of the Oratorios because they do not include sufficient solo instrumental entertainment between the parts.] "This custom was wholly dropped last year, and I complained greatly of it in a letter which you did me the favour to insert. I was greatly surprised to find Mr Pinto, who then led the band, was either not permitted or not paid to play a solo, as well as Mr Hay, who played one every night the preceding season. Mr Stanley's illness not permitting him then to play, that omission was overlooked, though it might have been supplied by a performer on some other instrument. This season the managers have thought proper to treat their audience with one solo or concerto every night, but why not have two?" [He liked Barthelemon's solos, but lamented that Stanley sat idle, and he offered final advice that the managers should alternate the solo instruments for "pleasing variety." The admission price demands it.

Event Comment: Never acted. [See Genest's comment (IV, 618) derived from Cumberland and the London Magazine-its appeal to the fashionable circles, its damnation at first performance because of the hanging of Harlequin in full view, and its modification thereafter. See 18 June and Horace Walpole to George Montagu [Arlington Street] July 28, 1761: I came to town yesterday through clouds of dust to see The Wishes, and went ac- [I, 381] tually feeling for Mr Bentley, and full of the emotions he must be suffering. What do [you] think in a house crowded was the first thing I saw! Mr and Madam Bentley perked up in the front boxes and acting audience at his own play--no, all the impudence of false patriotism never came up to it! Did one ever hear of an author that had couraee to see his own first night in public? I don't believe Fielding or Foote himself ever did--and this was the modest bashful Mr Bentley, that died at the thought of being known for an author, even by his own acquaintance! In the stage-box was Lady Bute, Lord Halifax and Lord Melcomb-I must say the two last entertained the house as much as the play-your King was prompter, and called out to the actors every minute to speak louder-the other went backwards and forwards behind the scenes, fetched the actors into the box, and was busier than Harlequin. The curious prologue was not spoken, the whole very ill-acted. It turned out just what I remembered it, the good parts extremely good, the rest very flat and vulgar-the genteel dialogue I believe might be written by Mrs Hannah. The audience was extremely fair. The first act they bore with patience, though it promised very ill-the second is admirable and was much applauded-so was the third-the fourth woeful-the beginning of the fifth it seemed expiring, but was revived by a delightful burlesque of the ancient chorus-which was followed by two dismal scenes, at which people yawned-but were awakened on a sudden by Harlequin's being drawn up to a gibbet nobody knew why or wherefore-this raised a prodigious and continued hiss, Harlequin all the while suspended in the air-at last they were suffered to finish the play, but nobody attended to the conclusion-modesty and his lady all the while sat with the utmost indifference-I suppose Lord Melcombe had fallen asleep [p. 382] before he came to this scene and had never read it. The epilogue was about the King and new Queen, and ended with a personal satire on Garrick-not very kind on his own stage-to add to the judge of this conduct, Cumberland two days ago published a pamphlet to abuse him. It was given out for tonight with more claps than hisses, but I think it will not do unless they reduce it to three acts." [p. 383]. Correspondence with George Montagu. Ed. W. S. Lewis & Ralph Brown. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941), I, 381-83] Note: (I, 381n): Bentley's play of The Wishes or Harlequin's Mouth Opened, was offered to Garrick and Rich the beginning of 1761, but wasrefused by both. His nephew Cumberland showed it to Lord Melcomb, who carried it to Lord Bute, with a compliment in verse to that Lord by Mr Cumberland. Lord Bute showed it to the King, who sent Bentley #200 and ordered the new summer company to play [it]. There was a prologue, flattering the King and Lord Bute which Foote refused to act. Two days before it was played, Cumberland wrote an anonymous pamphlet, addressed to Mr Bentley, and abusing Garrick, who had refused to act Cumberland's tragedy of Cicero's banishment, which he printed this year [1761], unacted. The Wishes were played for the first time July 27th, 1761; the 2d 3d and part of the 4th, acts were much applauded, but the conclusion extremely hissed. The Epilogue concluded with a satire on Garrick. It was acted five nights. About the same time he wrote a tragedy called Philodamus, which he was to read to Garrick, but the latter was so angry at their treatment of him, that he declared against seeing Mr Bentley" (MS account by HW of Bentley's writings, in the collection of Lord Waldegrave at Chewton Priory)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Marine Society. Boxes & pit 10s. 6d.; Gal: 3s. up: Gall 2s.; Stage 5s. (Cross). Tickets to be had of Mr Brogden at Mr Fieldings; Mr Stephens, 1st Secretary to the Society, in Princes's St. near the Bank, and of Mr Box, 2nd Secretary to said Society, in Duke St., York Buildings; and places of Varney at Stage-Door. [Advertisements for this performance for "clothing Friendless Boys and Men for the Sea" appeared in the Public Advertiser from 26 April to this day. The long Notice for the day pointed out that benefactors who attended would enjoy the satisfaction of seeing about 100 men and boys, all volunteers, clothed by the Marine Society appear on stage to thank them. The next day they would march to Portsmouth to go on board the Fleet. "As Britannia herself is to make her appearance on the scene in behalf of her warlike offering, it is pleasing to reflect that so many of her lovely daughters will attend her. It is not doubted but there will be the most Brilliant House that has been seen for sometime."] Receipts: #280 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Ward. The Country Mad-Cap [announced on playbill of 5 May] is obliged to be set aside on account of Mrs Pitt's indisposition. Tickets delivered for Alexander the Great, for Saturday, May 3, will be admitted. Public Advertiser, 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mr and Mrs Ward at Stacy's, No. 76, the Corner of Long-acre, Drury-lane. Receipts: #197 18s. (82.10; tickets: 115.8) (charge: #66 1s.)

Event Comment: Receipts: #109 15s. 6d. Bill setter's bill paid, #3 15s. 6d. [Miss Brent enter'd the 8th ins. at 13s. 4d. per night. Mr and Mrs Tariot enter'd ditto at 5s. each per night. Mrs Stephens advanc'd to 5s. per night.

Event Comment: John Dryden to Sir George Etherege, 16 Feb. 1686@7: The Coffee-house stands certainly where it did, & angry men meet in the square sometimes, as Abercomy, & Goodman lately did, where they say Alexander the Great was wounded in the arme (The Letters of John Dryden, ed. Ward, p. 27). See 27 Oct. 1686

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. The Comedy in 2 acts taken by Miss Pope from Mrs Sheridan's Discovery. House charges #64 17s. [Profit to Miss Pope #115 5s.] Paid B. Johnson's Head bill 18s. 7d.; Manager's subscription for St George's #10 10s.; Soldier's practice for Alexander 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Neville attended this night and in his Diary compliments all the performers and dancers. I am afraid Vernon's attempt to imitate old Shuter will prove vain. He added something to the introduction to the Cries tonight."] Receipts: #180 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Use of the Marine Society. Towards collecting clothing and equipping the distressed (both men and boys) who are inclined to serve in the Navy. Boxes 10s. 6d. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. Tickets to be had of Mr John Stephens, Secretary to the society, in Princes St., near the Bank; Batson's Coffee House, Cornhill; and of Mr Varney at the Stage Door, where Places may be taken. As this is the Entertainment exhibited this season for this most beneficial undertaking, by which so many distressed Persons as well as Vagabonds have been preserved and rendered useful in the highest degree, it is hoped the polite, the brave and humane, of both sexes, will shew their approbation of this design, by interesting themselves in the promotion of it