Event Comment: Benefit J. Roberts. By Desire. For the Entertainment of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Non-Common Pleas, Mainpiece: Written by the Author of George Barnwell. Second and Third Pieces: Both written by the Author of Pasquin. To begin exactly at Half an Hour after Six, and all will be over by Half an Hour after Nine. Tickets (containing the Prologue to the Register, by way of Ode to the New Year, with the Musick engrav'd on a Copper Plate) may be had of Mr Henry Roberts, Engraver, at the Star over-against the Vine Tavern in Holborn, and at the Theatre in the Hay-Market. Daily Advertiser, 2 May: Sir, As at every one of our Theatres this Day there is a Benefit for Persons under Misfortunes, 'tis humbly hop'd that the more humane Pursuers o Pleasure will suspend their Curiosity for Vaux Hall for one Day, (out of a hundred) in Favour of so many Unfortunate, who have but the Chance of one single Night to relieve them from Afflictions which perhaps they have long labour'd under. And, as I have somewhere read, So humane Worth to God like Heights they'll raise, For the Preserver shares the Maker's Praise. I believe it is fully known, without troubling you with farther Particulars, that among the Number above mention'd, is included, Sir, Your very humble Servant, John Roberts

Event Comment: Benefit the Author of The Parracide. Afterpiece: Written by Mr Gay, Author of the Beggar's Opera. [A letter to the Daily Post, 19 Jan., by the author of The Parracide states that after his play was damned on 17 Jan. he was offered a benefit; at first he chose his own play, then decided to offer The Way of the World.

Event Comment: Benefit a Gentlewoman under Misfortunes. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Farquhar. Receipts: money #74 5s.; tickets #46 14s. (Account Book); #120 (Rylands MS.). [According to the Account Book, the individual for whom it was a benefit received half the value of the ticekts.]

Event Comment: Benefit Leveridge. Written by the late Mr Farquhar. Receipts; money #37 14s.; seals #110 (Account Book); #200 (Rylands MS.). [Leveridge was charged #50 for his benefit.

Event Comment: Benefit LaLauze. By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Tickets to be had and places to be taken of Page at the Stage Door. None to be admitted without printed tickets, which will also be deliver'd at the Office, and at LaLauze's lodgings, at the Widow Gwinn's, a Silk Dyer in Drury Lane, near the Castle Tavern. Servants will be allowed to keep places on the stage, which (for the better accommodation of the ladies) will be enclos'd and formed into an amphitheatre. N.B. As I had the Misfortune to break the great tendon of my leg, when dancing on the stage at the above theatre in January last, I think it highly incumbent on me to acquaint the public in general and my good friends in particular, that I am in a fair (but not speedy) way of recovery; and as Mr Rich has kindly granted me a benefit sooner than usual, towards supporting me in my unlucky situation, I take this opportunity to interest the good-natured town to dispense with my personal application, and favour me with their company as usual, which will add to the many obligations I have already received, and shall be ever acknowledged with a sincere sense of gratitude, by their most humble and obedient servant, LaLauze

Event Comment: Benefit Chiaretta Aquilanti. B the particular desire of several Ladies of Quality. [A poor Benefit (Winston MS.).] Tickets and places to be had of Hobson, &c; and at Mr Garnier's, a Jeweller, in Bow St

Event Comment: Benefit Shepard. Tickets of Hobson at the stage Door. Mr Shepard humbly hopes his friends will not be offended at the Alteration of the play, he being oblig'd to change it on account of the Indisposition of a Principal Performer. The Tickets deliver'd for Henry VIII will be taken this night (London Daily Post and General Advertiser). Shepard belonged for many years to the House. Fleetwood dismissed him. Let him have a benefit for the money accrued to him. Beard ill and did not act. (Winston MS. from Dyer MS.)

Event Comment: Benefit Mills. A Concert both Serious and Comic; Consisting of the most favourite Airs, taken from the most favourite Operas and Oratorios, by the best Masters. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. 6 p.m. To the Publick. Gentlemen and Ladies: I humbly beg Pardon for troubling you in this Manner, but being Unfortunately excluded (I don't know for what Reason) from both the Theatres, and consequently deprived of getting my Living by my Profession, the Favour of your Company at a Concert which I take for my Benefit on Tuesday the 11th instant, at the Little House in the Haymarket, will be a very great Obligation to Your most faithful and devoted humble Servant, William Mills. Tickets to be had of Mr Mills at his House in Nassau St., near Soho. Note: After the Concert will be perform'd (gratis) a Comedy call'd The Careless Husband

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Giffard. Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of Several Persons of Quality. Servants will be admitted to keep places on the stage; and the ladies are desired to send their servants by 3 o'clock. Mr Giffard having receiv'd directions for places at his benefit takes this opportunity of acquainting his friends he shall desist from troubling them on that occasion this season. Tickets to be had of Mrs Giffard at No. 11, in Craven Buildings, Drury Lane; and of Hobson at the Stage door

Event Comment: Benefit of the Author, it being the eighth night only of acting, but the night from the first Representation, because of the interruption of Mrs Woffington's Benefit. Tickets to be had of G. Strahan, in Cornhill; J. Davidson in the Poultry; A. Millar in the Strand; R. Dodsley in Pall Mall, and of Mr Hobson at the Theatre, where places may be taken on the stage.-Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: Benefit for the Two Misses Scott. Pit and Boxes to be put together, 5s. Gallery 3s. To begin at half an hour after Six. No persons to be admitted but by printed tickets, which may be had of the two Misses Scott, at Mr Hind's, painter in Silver St., near Golden Square, and at the theatre where places may be taken. Several of the principal performers being engag'd for tomorrow night, the Misses Scott are oblig'd to take this night for their benefit, and humbly hope the Gentlemen and Ladies who intend them the honour of their company will excuse it, and the same tickets will be admitted. Note tickets deliver'd out for the Castle Tavern in Paternoster Row for the 14th of January will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit Goodfellow. As Mr Goodfellow's Friends have always express'd a very great dislike of his belonging to the Stage, he has Resolv'd upon taking this Benefit, to enable him to return to his former exployment

Event Comment: Benefit Mr and Mrs Havard. Receipts: #70 2s., plus #79 18s., a total of #150 Without the Stage. Paid Linen draper #50. [There is no mention of charges nor of a free Benefit.] [Residence] at Hanover St., Longacre

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Horton. [A "puff" for Leveridge's forthcoming benefit (31 March) in a letter to the General Advertiser, followed by 3 stanzas of verse]: Sir, The Remembrance of the pleasure I have often receiv'd, in a series of years, by hearing Mr Leveridge's Performances on the stage, occasion'd the following Lines: which however artless they are wrote, will I dare say give no offense to the good natur'd part of Mankind. I am your constant reader. T.H.: @I Whilst Garrick justly claims applause,@Old Leveridge humbly sues,@That you'll not quite neglect his cause@Nor now his suit refuse.@Whilst youthful vigor tun'd his voice@With song he rais'd the heart;@To cheer that voice, now chilled with Age@Becomes a noble part.@Then shew that faithful service past@Your thoughts does still employ;@And by your num'rous Presence grac'd@Revive old age with joy.

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: Benefit for myself and Wife (Cross). As my business at the theatre requires a constant attendance I beg the favour of those Ladies and Gentlemen, who intend to honour me with their company at my Benefit, to send for tickets to my Lodgings, opposite the Rose Tavern in Russel St., Covent Garden; or to Mr Hobson at the Stage door, where places for the Boxes may be taken. Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. Receipts: #107 (Cross); house charges, #60 (Powel); cash, #59 17s. 1d.; tickets, #47 1s. (Clay MS)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Harbin, by desire of his Friends. Ladies are desired to send their servants early to keep places. [See advance letters and notices of this benefit in the General Advertiser, Nov. 8, 15, 25.

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Fire at Honiton (Cross). For the sufferers at the town of Honiton by fire. This Benefit was given at the request of a gentleman of Distinction, who is Mr Garrick's particular Friend (Powel). Being the last time of the company's performing till the Holidays. Receipts: #200 (Cross). Charges to the sufferers, #70; tickets were: #199 10s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Elmy. Ladies are desired to send Servants to keep Places at 3 o'clock. Tickets and places to be had of Mrs Elmy at the corner of Tavistock St., in Southampton St., and of Hobson at the stage door. Cash receipts #63 6s., plus #74 6s. from tickets. Total #137 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Mr Delane dy'd Sun: ye 1st of Ap. (Cross). The Masque of Comus, design'd to be perform'd at Drury Lane Wednesday next, the 4th of Apl, for the Benefit of Mrs Foster, Granddaughter of Milton, and his only surviving descendant, is, by particular desire of several persons of Quality, on account of Handel's Oratorio deferr'd till Thursday the 5th instant (General Advertiser). Receipts. #150 (Cross); charges #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bridges and Blakes. Rec'd Cash #47 3s., plus #100 4s. from tickets. Total #147 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Yesterday Morning died of a Dropsy, Mr William Mills, belonging to the Theatre-Royal in Drury Lane; a person formerly well esteem'd in his profession, and if his infirmities in the latter part of his life render'd him less useful to the stage, yet he amply made amends for it, in the deserv'd character of an Honest man, and an indulgent Husband. -The Stratagem will be play'd on Sat. next, for the benefit of Mrs Mills (General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross); charges #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Part of Pit will be rail'd into the Boxes. Servants allow'd to keep places. Send servants by 3 o'clock. Tickets and places to be had of Mrs Clive at the Naked Boy in Henrietta St., Covent Garden. Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years [see 18 Nov. 1754]. Afterpiece: With alterations and an additional scene. Mr Havard's benefit play, which should have been acted some day this month, is deferr'd on account of his Indisposition, to the 12th of April, when the new Masque of Alfred will be perform'd, with its proper Scenes, Dances, Music, and Machinery. Receipts: #230 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Ridout and Barrington. On Wednesday 24 April for the Benefit of Leveridge, The City Wives Confederacy: @To all generous Britons I sound this endeavour,@To beg that this season my play you ll promote,@By granting as usual your bountiful favour,@Which by Old Silenus shall ne'er be forgot.@Whilst Life I'm enjoying, and health do inherit,@With grateful Remembrance all thanks I'll renew@Still raising my voice to the Heighth of my Spirit,@Then swan-like will sing out my final adieu. tickets fbr the play, with the Musical note printed on them may had of Leveridge at his Lodging over against the Red Lion in Brownlow St., by Drury Lane, and of Mr Page at the Stage Door. Tickets for the 17th will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Author (Cross). Tickets to be had of the Author at his lodgings the Angel in King's Street, Covent Garden; A Millar, over-against Catharine Street, in the Strand; and at the Stage Door of the theatre, where places may be taken (playbill). We hear Mr Ross is to perform the part of Romeo in the Play Romeo and Juliet for his benefit, which is to be on Thursday, the 31st of March (General Advertiser). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mattocks and Dickenson. On Friday last died Mr Ray, an Old Comedian, belonging to Drury Lane; but his benefit, which is to be on Monday next, is put under the management of some eminent Tradesmen his friends, who intend to employ the profits of it towards the discharge of his creditors. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Mainpiece: not acted these 4 years. No building on stage. Receipts: #60 12s. 6d. plus tickets #222 5s. (boxes 458; pit 605; gallery 170). Charges #63. Mr Robt. Lewis came in for 1 share (Account Book). [Smith advertised, and it appeared his house at his benefit was too full & [there was] confusion in getting to places (Winston MS 8). See Smith's note in Public Advertiser, 16 March.