Event Comment: RRylands MS: (Bad) [i.e., Pinchbeck gave a bad performance]. Written by Shakespear. Receipts: #82

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser. Sir: When I read the letter in your paper [see 7 Nov.] concerning Tom Harbin's intention of having a Benefit at Covent Garden, I own I was much pleas'd, as it would give me the opportunity of making him merry, who has often made me so: But I have since been in some concern to hear he was to perform himself--I would not have him appear in an Ill-Light; and as it is easy to conceive what confusion a Man unus'd to the stage must be in, to appear on it, I would in Friendship advise him to desist from that design.-If he does it from an opinion of his Capacity, I am sorry for him: but if it is only to draw people together, I think he need not have any Apprehensions on that Account:--For there ever was and ever will be in London, a number of Persons of Fortune and Generosity, sufficient to do what he wants, whenever they have an Inclination to serve a man they like.--And as he is Generally allow'd to be what is call'd a Fiddle in Company, and plays as often as anybody, it would be but right to keep him in tune: For my part I shall use my interest in his Favour and wish him success with his Acquaintance. I am &c. T. Meanwell. Lloyd's Coffee House, 14 Nov. [See 14 Dec.

Event Comment: Full Prices. [N.B. Winston MS 9, indicates from Rich's Register that Henry V was played this night by Royal Command. Playbill for 4 Dec. lends credence to this as it states Not Acted this season." For cast of Henry V see 18 Nov. TheAccount Book clinches the matter by listing Henry V with Dancing, and an indication that the Boxes this night held #70 5s., or some 281 people.] Present His Majesty and Attendance. House gave Yeomen of the Guards the usual gratuity of #1 1s. [Rich also paid that night #1 1s. for an Occasional Prologue for Henry V for 18 Nov. last, and #2 2s. for an occasional prologue to Thomas and Sally for 28 Nov. (Account Book).] Receipts: #210 (Account Book)

Event Comment: [R+Rich's Register lists mainpiece as The Inconstant.] Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Mr Holland in giving out the play said to morrow instead of Monday. A great Laugh he found his Mistake & gave it out again properly (Hopkins). Receipts: #126 19s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command. Gave the Yeoman of the Guard #2 2s.; The King's Footmen Xmas Box by Heron #2 2s.; The Queen's Footmen Xmas Box by Shields #2 2s; King's Chairmen Xmas Box by Jupp #2 2s,; Queen's Chairmen Xmas Box by Jones #2 2s. (Account Book). Receipts: #274 4s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Both Pieces By Command of their Majesties. Gave Yeomen of the Guards #2 2s. Receipts: #238 15s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [The Young Gentleman who played Posthumus is identified by Kemble and Winston as Mr Warboys.] Gave Duke of Cumberland's Footmen #2 2s. (Account Book). [Town and Country Magazine (quoting Theatre No XIII) remarked on Warboys acting: "The success he met with will probably deter him from following the profession of the stage...not happy either in person or in physiognamy."] Receipts: #250 6s

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of their Majesties. Present their Majesties. Gave Yeomen of the Guard #2 2s. (Account Book). Receipts: #223 11s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these years. [See 17 March 1772. Gentlewoman identified by Hopkins Manuscript Notes and by Winston MS 10. The Westminster Magazine for March (p. 111) gives out that "she was very lately a boarder with the celebrated Charlotte Hayes; a circumstance which will inform our readers that her figure is pleasing and also that she is young and hadsome. It is but justice, however, to add that she possesses the internal as well as external requisites of a good actress; for she discovers great feeling and sensibility; and indeed promises to be an ornament to the theatre."] Receipts: #192 6s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Younger, lately burnt out by the Fire in King Street, Covent Garden. Doors open at half past 5. To begin at exactly half past 6. [Miss Catley returned for this benefit. Description of the Fire in Gentlemen's Magazine, 1774, p. 234.] Charges #67 10s. Profit to Younger, #105 19s.. plus #67 12s. from tickets (Box 216; Pit 76; Gallery 22) (Account Book). [See dl 6 May where Garrick gave Younger & Kennedy #21 as a present to help them. See also dl 25 May.] Receipts: #173 9s. (Account 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: Garrick put the finish hand to the sale of half the patent &c. to Dr Ford, Linley, Ewart, and Sheridan for #35,000 to be delivered over in June next. Garrick it was said rais'd #12,000 last year by subscription to pay New Ornamentation, which cost #3000, so that the remaining #4500 and #35,000 was no bad interest for the #5,000 he gave in 1747. New property valuation giving him a...(Winston MS 11, from Burney News Cuttings). Paid Mr Palmer, spermacetti candle Bill #186 13s.; Mr Machin, Chorus, 19 times #4 15s. Rec'd Mr Percy's rent 1 year to Mich Last, #10; Stopages #14 5s. Receipts: #167 2s. (Treasurer's Book). From the Morning Chronicle, 19 Jan.: "David Garrick, Esq., has signed and sealed for the sale of his share in the patent and Property of Drury Lane Theatre. The purchasers are Dr Ford, Mr Ewart, Mr Linley, and Mr Richard Sheridan. The purchase money is #35,000. The public may now therefore depend upon it that this will be the last season of Mr Garrick's performing. The new proprietors as an act of their own, have stipulated that Mr Garrick shall continue to keep that box which has of late years been set apart for the accomodation of his family. Mr Garrick intimated last night to the audience his having sold his share in Drury Lane Theatre, by answering in the part of Abel Drugger , on being asked if he had any interest at the theatre, 'I had some, I don't know what I may have.'

Event Comment: Being the last time of Garrick's appearing in character of Sir John Brute . When the Song Encor'd Mr Garrick said Come Col. give us that Song again for two very good Reasons, the first because your friends desire it-and Secondly because I believe I shall never be in such good company again. House Mr and Mrs Davies (Sold) (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr Davies in lieu of Bt #60. Rec'd of Mr Davis on acct #30. Receipts: #281 7s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: "Falstaff is rather more satirical than facetious...This idea of the part, King adopted; and he gave the text with such correctness and force, that so far from lessening his reputation by attempting so arduous a character, he has in reality afforded new proof of his critical taste and versatility of genius" (Morning Herald, 7 Aug.)

Event Comment: No mention of Box income. Pay lists as of 26 Sept. Add Mrs Hamilton, enter'd from 1st Inst. at #1 10s. per day being return'd from Ireland that day; Mrs Storer enter'd from 20 Sept. at 6s. 8d.; Mr Maguire and Wife from 2nd at 10s.; Dall a week's salary #2; Thorne for scenemen #12; 19s. 6d.; Serjeant three months' salary to 29 Sept. #10. Total pay list came to #322 8s. 1d. Receipts: #86 15s. (Winston Theatrical Record)