Event Comment: Fanny first time Miss P. Hopkins-very well and great applause (Hopkins Diary). The altered Comedy of Old City Manners, which was to have been performed this evening, for the author, is oblig'd to be deferr'd till Monday next on account of Mr Dodd's illness, when tickets deliver'd for this night will be taken. Receipts: #154 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author of the Alterations (Hopkins Diary). [On this day Garrick wrote to Mrs Abington, relative to his practice in casting new plays: "That I may hear no more of this or that part in Mr Murphy's play, I now again tell you that every author since my management distributed his parts as he thinks will be of most service to his interest, nor have I ever interfered, or will interfere, unless I perceive that they would propose something contrary to common sense" (Harvard Theatre Collection, Autograph Letter Signed). Charges: #84 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: With New Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations for the Afterpiece. This Farce is brought on the Stage by Mrs Abington--it is very dull--It is vastly well got up and was receiv'd with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly, mentioning Bickerstaff as the author. Larpent MS 397 contains elaborate stage direction at opening: "An interior apartment in the Seraglio. An arch in the middle of the back scene, which is shut with a curtian. On the right hand toward the front is a sopha in the Turkish manner, low deep, and long, covered with carpets and cushions. A little gold table about eight inches high and a foot and a half square. Upon it a rich or gold saver set with jewels, with two cups on porcelain, and a spoon made of the beak of an Indian bird, which is redder than coral, extremely rare and of extensive price." This may have been intended for a reading audience. In the piece Mrs Abington, an English slave , rebels in the confines of the Seraglio, and start a reform movement wherein men are to please the women. Concludes with demostration of the nobility of English women who will not be enslaved, who will not flatter, who will preserve their liberty and dignity, and who are capable of returning love for honor and respect. Reviewed in Westminster Magazine for Dec.: "The Audience appeared to be divided in their opinion of the merit of the Sultan, some loudly applauding, and others as loudly condemning it, when the curtain dropped. The Majority however, stood firmly for it, and a verdict was returned in its favor. The managers not only well dressed this dramatic trifle, but bestowed three new scenes on it: The Outer Gate of the Seraglio--An Interior view of it--and a Garden terminating in a prospect of the sea. The first was but la! la! The last two were beautiful and picturesque. Five airs were introduced into this piece which had a very good effect....The music of the two first was the composition of Mr Dibdin, and was exceedingly pretty."] Receipts: #143 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Mr Garrick's note to Dr Arne #50 (Treasurer's Book). [This was an unrecorded benefit night for Bickerstaff as author of the afterpiece. See payment on 27 Feb. 1776.] Receipts: #129 9s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Rec'd stopages #11 13s. Paid Mr Norfolk (glazier) #48 9s.; Thompson (smith) #10 7s.; Hopkins prompter's bill #23 9s. 6d.; Ray, linen draper's bill #115 19s. 6d.; Barrow and Co., oil #99; Cubitt (tinman) #8; Vaughan (haberdasher) #4 3s. 6d. Receipts: #219 6s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #11 18s. Paid To Mr Garrick, author of the alteration of the Chances and two preludes #171. Receipts: #106 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)