Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. [Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.] Times, 9 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Siddons, No. 49, Great Marlborough-street. Receipts: #508 8s. 6d. (296.10.0; 58.2.0; 3.12.0; tickets: 150.4.6) (charge: #212 3s. 6d.)

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: CCatherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, 18 April: These oratorios of Handel's are certainly (next to the hooting of owls) the most solemly striking music one can hear....In this last oratorio he has literally introduced guns, and they have a good effect.--Deutsch, Handel, p. 640, who identifies the guns as kettle-drums. But Winton Dean, Handel's Dramatic Oratorios, p. 471, identifies them as the outsize drums from the Tower of London. See Sheridan's The Critic on off-stage gun shots: This hint I took from Handel. Recced of Mr Handell for rent of his 10 Oratorio's #210.--Account Books, Egerton 2268. [Actually there were twelve nights of oratorios.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Elmy. Tickets and Places of Mrs Elmy at the corner of Tavistock St. next Southampton St., Covent Garden; and of Hobson at the stage door. Being the last time of acting till the Holidays. Cash, #92 12s.; tickets, #56 8s.; total, #149 (Clay MS page reproduced in Oct. 1926 issue of Connoisseur, p. 93). A few days ago arriv'd in Town Mr Sheridan, Manager of the Theatre Royal in Dublin, and we hear as his stay is to be but short, he intends to perform only once, for the benefit of the poor sufferers by the late Fire (General Advertiser). [The fire happened the 25th in "Exchange alley (London) and in the space of 10 hours consumed a great number of houses occupied by persons in middling circumstances and with large families." Subscriptions were raised and distributed by a committee of ten bankers. See General Advertiser.] Receipts: #160 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Before the Play began, Reddish went on, and addressed the Audience as follows, which was drawn up by Mr Sheridan, "Ladies and Gentlemen, having in my Address to the Publick on Tuesday Night last accounted for my Omission in the Part of Vainlove in a manner which appeared to reflect highly on the Managers, I now beg Permission to ascribe it to the Confusion I was in from the Displeasure of the Audience, and, as the Managers are satisfied with my Assurance that this was the Case, I humbly hope for the Indulgence of the Publick, whom I never meant to offend, and whom I will ever study to please" (Hopkins Diary). Raceipts: #119 17s. 6d

Event Comment: Powell: Lodoiska rehearsed at 1 (third act) by order of Mr Sheridan. Receipts: #366 13s. 6d. (286.0.0; 79.4.0; 1.9.6)

Event Comment: [Mainpiece in place of The Cherokee, advertised on playbill of 24 Feb. In it the playbill retains Mrs Booth as Mrs Over-done, but "Mrs Over-done Mrs Maddocks, Mrs Booth ill" (Powell).] Powell, 25 Feb.: New Comedy, viz. The Wheel of Fortune, rehearsed at 11; Alexander the Great (by order of Mr Sheridan) at 1; 26 Feb.: Wheel of Fortune rehearsed at 12. Receipts: #406 19s. (337.10.6; 63.18.0; 5.10.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow and Three Orphan Children of the late Mr Benson. [Address by John Taylor, Poems, I, 62.] "Benson [who committed suicide on 19 May] was remarkable for a very retentive memory, which enabled him on the slightest notice to become a substitute for almost any performer who might be suddenly disabled from appearing" (European Magazine, June 1796, p. 397). The house was a very good one, but it has been said that Sheridan went to the Treasury and carried off the money, so that Benson's widow and children never got a sixpence" (Genest, VII, 245). Receipts: #678 10s. 6d. (319.8.0; 66.3.6; 2.19.0; tickets: 276.6.0; odd money: 13.14.0) (charge: #212 15s.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comedy [by Richard Cumberland] never performed. [Genest, V, 282, reports that Garrick was in the House this night and was agreeably surprised at the complimentary reference to him in the Epilogue: Who but has seen the celebrated strife Where Reynolds calls the Canvass into life: And, 'twixt the Tragic, and the Comic Muse, Courted of both, and dubious where to chuse, Th'immortal Actor stands?' A long retelling of the plot appeared in the Freeholder's Magazine for Dec., concluding: This comedy was received with great applause by the Audience. It is said to be written by Mr Cumberland, who has already oblig'd the Public with a musical piece, called the Summer's Tale. The Performers, particularly Mr Smith, Mr Woodward, Mr Yates, Mrs Green, Mrs Bulkley, and Mrs Yates, did great justice to their characters. The Prologue was spoken by Mr Smith, and the Epilogue, which alluded to the celebrated picture of Sir Joshua Reynolds, where Comedy and Tragedy are contending for Mr Garrick, by Mrs Yates." Receipts: #215 18s

Event Comment: Paid Richards (scene painter) as per Bill #25 4s. Paid Mr Gard for performing 14 nights in the Ostrich to 11th inst. inclusive, #1 15s. (Account Book). [Richards possibly Painted the new scene of the Pantheonv added to Harlequin Sorcerer on 6 Jan. Mr Gard continued to receive the standard wage of 2s. 6d. per naght for performing this bird each time Harlequin Sorcerer was put on. No further notation of his payments as they occur in the account books will be made. He was paid usually after about every 12 of 14 performances.] Receipts: #166 6s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: The Last time of the company's performing this season. [Following deficiencies for this season paid up: Richard Smith, Lewes, Dumay, Condell, Potter, Thomas Smith, Quick, Furkins, Wilkinson, Abbott, Simmonds, Pullen, Stephenson, Asbury, Wilde, Francis, Mrs Griffiths, Claridge, and Sharratt (Account Book). This includes payment of half value of tickets for those who were granted partial benefits on that basis.] Music forfeits at end of season #17 6s. 11d. Neville MS Diary: Went...to see Cymbeline...chiefly to hear Powell speak an occasional prologue. Would not have gone had I known it was only a stale piece of flattery to George. [See The Gentleman's Magazine, 9 July p. 346: "On shutting up the playhouse in Covent Garden at the end of the season, admission into the theatre having been denied to Mr H and R through any other passage but Mr Powell's House, those gentlemen at the head of a large posse on the 17th of last month, [June] made a forcible entry by breaking open a window near the playhouse door in Hart street; after which they expelled by violence Mr Sargeant the Housekeeper, all his family and others; but the acting managers not being inclined to submit to the arbitrary proceedings of their colleagues, immediately applied for redress, where redress was effectually to be had, and this day they were formally expelled by virtue of a warrant from under the hand and seal of the high sherrifs of London and Middlesex, and the old housekeeper, Mr Sargeant, restored to his office of trust, to the great mortification of one of the champions who had been heard to say: That he had now got possession and d--n him if he would not keep it while he had a drop of blood in his body, and while there was one brick upon another belonging to the house."

Event Comment: Last time of company's performing this season. Benefit for Bowers and Widow Veal. Tickets deliver'd by Berrisford, Hodges, and Burroughs will be taken. Thus Ends the Season-63 different plays-36 different Farces-186 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Paid Watch, Rector, Cleansing, &c., cg to Lady Day last #5 18s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). After Season Receipts: 11 June: Box Office Keeper's cash #25; Condill's 3rd and last payment for Fruit Office #20. 16 June: Candles, Oyl and Lampmen of Theatrical Fund Night 2nd inst. #3 18s. 6d. 23 June: Mr Johnston for Candle ends sold to sundry #11 7s. 6d.; Ditto for Lace burnt form the Wardrobe #205 8s. 26 June: Harrison's rent 1 yr to Lady Day last #46 but with #12 5s. in taxes deducted amount rec'd #33 15s.; Williams rent ditto (#48 with #8 6s. 8d. taxes deducted) #39 13s. 4d.; From Public Advertiser this season #50; From Daily Gazetteer #50. 3 July: Remainder of Sinking Fund #160 2s. 6d. 6 July. Mr Rowland 1 yrs rent to Lady Day last with #3 8s. in taxes deducted, #139 12s.; Mr Pope 1 yrs rent to ditto with #3 11s. 2d. taxes deducted #26 8s. 10d. 10 July: Benefit deficiencies cleared and Cash taken up by Evans as per acct. #89 7s. (Treasurer's Book). After Season expenditures: 11 June: Hopkins, Prompters Bill #8 15s.; Miss Hopkins 18 Nights full #2 5s. 13 June: 2 days salary list at #72 6s. 5d. per diem #144 12s. 10d.; S. French 6 days #1 10s. 16 June: Davies on note #7 6s.; Printer's 2 bills #11 14s.; Mas. Thomson 3 nights in full 15s.; Mrs Mann on note #2 2s.; Tallow chandler's 9th bill (#30 14s. 4d. with a discount of #26 15s. 6d. on all bills for season) #3 18s. 10d. 19 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s. 3 July: J. Stevens 2 weeks as usual #1 16s; Sandys & Co. for Colours #10 4s. Dorman for Coals #20 10s. and for attending practices of dances, as usual #10 10s.; Cole (turner) #14 3s.; Bibb (sword cutler) #3 12s.; Barret (wax chandler) #20 6s. 6d.; Blakes, (hatter), #5 12s.; Lowe and Co (glaziers) #16 6d.; Cropley, (linen draper) #14 7s. 6d.; Chamberlain & Co. (ironmongers), #25; Carter (scowerer) #14 12s.; Jennings (glover and furrier) #18 6d.; Scott (copper laceman), #51 19s.; Carpue, (silk dyer) #9 1s. 6d.; Mrs Chitty (coals) #28; Carver's bill #2 1s.; Chettell (timber) #14 9s.; Cubitt (Tinman) #18 2s. 6d.; Waller (hosier) #24 19s. 6d.; Barrow & Co. (only) #118; Vaughan (haberdasher) #3 6s.; Hatsell (mercer) #28 2s.; Thomson (smith) #10 15s. 6 July: B. Lyon, Wardrobe & Carp Bills #10 10s. 6d.; Stephens (manson) #6 4s.; Pope (peruke maker) #29 6s. and #3 16s. for 38 extra nights dressing &c.; Mrs Slaughter's Bill #9 2s. 6d.; Roberts (shoemaker) #3 12s. 6d.; D. Richards, 30 weeks 5 days extra salary in full for this season #30 16s. 8d.; Hewetson (laceman) #17 6s.; Mr Page in full of #25 this season #1 17s. 6d. 8 July: J. Johnston's Music Bill #37 13s. 6d.; Powney & Co., (stationers) #3 14s.; Landall for Mrs Cape's Funeral per order #4 7s. 6d.; Kirkman, (harpsichord maker) #18 14s.; John French, painter's bill #5 3s. 10 July: Palmer for Spermacetti Candles #255 8s.; Miss Collett's schooling #2 8s. 10d.; Stafford (glassman) #4 19s.; A. Johnston's bill for feathers &c. #15 6s. 6d.; Ditto four Housekeeping Bills #10 1s. 4d.; Chapman (Jubilee horsekeeping) #3 13s. 6d.; Victor 2 weeks salary as usual #5; Victor gratuity as usual #30; Evans 2 weeks salary as usual #3 and #42 in lieu of a Benefit. Books Closed 10 July. Total income #32,538 6s. 1d. Total outgo #26,410 8s. 8d. Profit #6,127 17s. 5d. paid To Managers #5,040 To Clutterbuck #1,087 17s. 5d

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by Robert Jephson. Prologue by the author (Gentleman's Magazine, Jan, 1782, p. 36). Another Prologue, by the Right Hon. Luke Gardiner, "not arriving in London time enough for the first exhibition of the Count of Narbonne, was not spoken" (ibid.). Epilogue by Richard Josceline Goodenough, but beginning with 20 Nov. it was superseded by a new Epilogue written by Edmond Malone (see text)]: With new Scenery and Dresses. Public Advertiser, 1 Nov.: The Management of The Count of Narbonne is . . . under very good Care: Mr Horace Walpole, with a Fondness nothing less than fatherly, directs that part of the Affair which respects the Scenes and Dresses, while Henderson takes Charge of the Rehearsals and the casting of inferior Parts... [Henderson] is to wear a Dress which is lent him from among the Antiquities at Strawberry Hill. "I have been at the theatre, and compromised the affair of the epilogues: one is to be spoken to-morrow, the friend's on the author's night. I have been tumbling into trap-doors, seeing dresses tried on in the green-room, and directing armour in the painting-room" (Walpole [16 Nov. 1781], XII, 95). "I never saw a more unprejudiced audience, nor more attention. There was not the slightest symptom of disapprobation to any part ... It is impossible to say how much justice Miss Younge did to your writing. She has shown herself a great mistress of her profession, mistress of dignity, passion, and of all the sentiments you have put into her hands. The applause given to her description of Raymond's death lasted some minutes, and recommenced; and her scene in the fourth act, after the Count's ill-usage, was played in the highest perfection. Mr Henderson was far better than I excepted from his weakness, and from his rehearsal yesterday, with which he was much discontented himself. Mr Wroughton was very animated, and played the part of the Count much better than any man now on the stage would have done. I wish I could say Mr Lewis satisfied me; and that poor child Miss Satchell was very inferior to what she appeared at the rehearsals, where the total silence and our nearness deceived us. Her voice has no strength, nor is she yet at all mistress of the stage. I have begged Miss Younge to try what she can do with her by Monday. However, there is no danger to your play: it is fully established" (Walpole [to the author, 18 Nov. 1781], XII, 95-96). Public Advertiser, 28 Nov. 1781: This Day is published The Count of Narbonne (price not listed). Receipts: #164 10s. 6d. (163/0/6; 1/10/0)