Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: After dinner, with my wife, to the King's house to see The Mayden Queene, a new play of Dryden's, mightily commended for the regularity of it, and the strain and wit; and, the truth is, there is a comical part done by Nell, which is Florimell, that I never can hope ever to see the like done again, by man or woman. The King and Duke of York were at the play. But so great performance of a comical part was never, I believe, in the world before as Nell do this, both as a mad girle, then most and best of all when she comes in like a young gallant; and hath the motions and carriage of a spark the most that ever I saw any man have. It makes me, I confess, admire her

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: With my Lord Bruncker and his mistress to the King's playhouse, and there saw The Indian Emperour; where I find Nell come again, which I am glad of; but was most infinitely displeased with her being put to act the Emperour's daughter, which is a great and serious part, which she do most basely. The rest of the play, though pretty good, was not well acted by most of them, methought; so that I took no great content in it. But that, that troubled me most was, that Knipp sent by Moll [Mary Meggs] to desire to speak to me after the play; and she beckoned to me at the end of the play, and I promised to come; but it was so late

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: My wife, and I, and Willett, to the King's play-house, and there saw The Indian Emperour, a good play, but not so good as people cry it up, I think, though above all things Nell's ill speaking of a great part made me mad

Event Comment: The King's Company. See Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 322, for an L. C. order concerning Mohun's not acting for some time past. Pepys, Diary: With my wife to the King's playhouse, and there saw The Surprizall; which did not please me to-day, the actors not pleasing me; and especially Nell's acting of a serious part, which she spoils

Event Comment: By Particular desire of persons of Quality. Afterpiece: By Desire. Lady Hertford wrote to her son Lord Beauchamp: Mrs Clive either was really suddenly taken ill, or was not in the humor to act Nell, so that the part was done by a frightful Mrs Philips, who could neither, sing, laugh, or do any other thing that was fit for a cobbler's wife; in short she spoiled the whole thing.-Hughes, Hertford, p. 233. Enlightenment as to Mrs Clive's health appears in the gossip sent by Lady Hertford to her son in a letter 23 Jan. 43: About ten days ago Mrs Woffington and Mrs Clive met in the Green room. Mrs Woffington came up to Mrs Clive and told her she had long looked for the favor of a visit from her and begged she would let her know when she designed her that pleasure, for she was often engag'd in an afternoon. Mrs Clive paused a little and then answered, Madam, I have a reputation to lose. Madam, said Mrs Woffington, so should I have too if I had your face. Whether this repartee has affected Mrs Clive's health I cannot tell, but she is extremely ill and in danger.-Hughes, Hertford, pp. 236-37

Event Comment: Mr G. Leon excessive fine. Mrs Wrighten Nell first time very well (Hopkins Diary). Macbeth oblig'd to be deferr'd till Thursday. Receipts: #270 14s. (Treasurer's Book)