Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Mrs Cibber first did Ophelia (Cross). Afterpiece: By particular desire. Five rows of Pit laid into Boxes and stage as on 7 March. Tickets and places of Hobson at the stage door. Receipts: #275 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Havard. [Stage arranged as on 7 March.] Tickets and places at Havard's House in Broad Court the upper end of Bow St., and of Hobson at the stage door. The manager of the Smock Alley theatre Dublin in order to support decayed players, has resolved to apply the whole receipts of one night every year towards raising a fund for the purpose, which is to be increased by the players allowing a small portion of their salaries to be deducted weekly. A scheme worthy the imitation of the managers and players of our theatres. -Gentleman's Magazine, March 1749, p. 238

Event Comment: Benefit for Berry. Tickets to be had of Berry at Mr Pope's, Peruke Maker in Russel St., Covent Garden and of Hobson at the Stage Door. [From the Gentleman's Magazine Register of Books for this month: An Account of the Life of that Celebrated Tragedian, Mr Thomas Betterton, containing a distinct relation of his excellencies in his profession and character in private life, and interspersed with an account of the English theatre during his time. Printed for J. Robinson.] Receipts: #160 (Cross); house charges, #60 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Elmy. Tickets and places to be had of Mrs Elmy at the corner of Tavistock St., next Southampton St., Covent Garden, and of Hobson at the stage door. Receipts: #220 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Green. Being the last time of performing the mainpiece this season. Tickets of Mrs Green in Broad Court, Bow St., Covent Garden. There is now in Rehearsal a new Tragedy called Merope. Receipts: #140 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for James and Mathews. No tickets bought at the door will be admitted. Receipts: #190 (Cross); house charges, #63. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit Frederick Shlagel, who on the 4th instant had the misfortune to have his House broke open and robb'd. Prices: 5s., 2s. 6d. To begin at 7 p.m. (Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Author (Cross). Receipts. #94 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Pritchard. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire, and the last time of performing it. Tickets and places to be had of Pritchard at his House in Duke's, late Earl's Court, Bow Street, Covent Garden, and of Hobson at the stage Door. Ladies are Desired to send their Servants by three o'clock. Receipts: #200 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 3 years. [See 29 Feb. 1748.] Containing the distresses and death of King Henry VIv; the Artful acquisition of the Crown by King Richardv; The cruel Murder of Prince Edward and his brother in the Towerv; the landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the death of King Richardv in the Memorable battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster. [Customary advertisement for this play this season. It will not be repeated further.] This month was published Characters in Dancing; with a Rhapsody (Gentleman's Magazine). Receipts: #164 13s

Event Comment: On Saturday last the Farce of The Little French Lawyer from Beaumont and Fletcher, was acted at Drury Lane to a crowded House; every scene except the last, was receiv'd with Universal Applause; but that meeting with Disapprobation, it is now alter'd, and will be perform'd again tomorrow night (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Paid to G. Garrick by order of managers #5 5s.; Paid to Glovers Bill 18s.; Paid a bill per order Mr Garrick #4 2d. (Treasurer's Book). [Further records this season indicate that "Glover's Bill" which occurrs regularly each Monday was a constant sum paid to a tavern or coffee house, rather than to a glover. The average payment was #1 15s. weekly, amounting to about #56 for the season. It will not be itemized further.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #115 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: FFrench Company--open'd at ye Haymarket Little House--several strove to pelt 'em off--but some Lords and officers drawing their Swords in their Defence, they went on & many people were wounded--a small opposition on Wed and Fry: following but without effect (Cross). Paid Blandford (Tallow Chandler) #19 2s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #100 (Cross); #104 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Comedie in 5 Actes de Mr Baron. The alleged deposition of Wm Davison:...he on the 17th Day of November being the second Night of the French Strollers acting at the Theatre in the Haymarket, was at the Sign of the Globe, a Publick House about Nine of the Clock that Night, where this Deponent saw John Haines, one of the Waiters at the said Tavern, and several other Persons, to the Number of 16, dressed like Chairmen, each of which had a great Bludgeon in his Hand, which he put under his Coat, in order to hide the same, but in such a manner as this Deponent was capable of seeing said Bludgeons;...and was informed by several Persons of credit that they and others to the number of 30, were hired by Lord Trentham to protect the French Strollers from any Attempt that might be made to prevent their Acting [claims Haines had a list of their names and told them Lord Trentham would need them again on other nights] notarized before John Waple, 24 Nov. [Lord Trentham offered a fifty pound reward for the original copy of the above affidavit.] John Haynes...maketh Oath...that he...never had any Conversation directly or indirectly, with Lord Trentham, relating to the French Players, nor did the said Lord Trentham dine at the King's Arms on 17 Nov., nor did this Deponent see the said Lord Trentham on that Day, nor for several Days before, nor did the Deponent make use of the said Lord Trentham's name, in any conversation at the Globe Alehouse the said Lord Trentham was not in the least privy to this Deponent's going to the said little Theatre on the said 17th of Nov. with several Persons as mentioned in the affidavit or pretended affidavit of Wm Davison...Sworn the 26th Day of Nov., before me, H. Fielding. [This notice repeated in the General Advertiser for a week. The French players departed for France on 28 Dec.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Comedie du Nouveau Theatre Italien. Received from Four Representations acted...#188 18s. 4d.; 56 Subscriptions at Five Guineas each #294; From a Subscription by Mr Arthur, Master of White's Coffee House #367 10s. (British Magazine, V (August, 1750), p. 322)

Event Comment: Paid to Sun Fire Office Insurance #15; Paid for a poker and shovel 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [This policy was doubltless similar to No 109085 dated 29 July 1747 issued to James Lacy and David Garrick Esq. Patentees of His Majesties Company of Comedians of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, for #4,000: "On the Goods and Furniture, Wardrobe Apparel, Machines and Scenes, not valued as pictures, in the House, Dressing Rooms, Wardrobe, and Scene Rooms, of the said Theatre Royal, adjoining togethe r and situate in Drury Lane aforesaid and not elsewhere, not exceeding #4,000...Note: Except such Loss and Damage as may happen by any Fire occasioned by means of any representation in any Play or Farce or in any Rehearsal of the same." (From copy of original policy, by courtesy J. A. Miller, Esq. General Manager, Sun Insurance Office Ltd., sent me in ltr. dated 5 July 1951.)] Receipts: #110 (Cross). #104 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for James Sturgis Adams (a Person in Distress) (Cross). Gave Xmas Box to Duke's Servts #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Tickets for Boxes to be had at the following Coffee Houses, St. James, St. James's St; Somerset in the Strand; Grigsby's behind the Royal Exchange; and the Union, Cornhill. Receipts: #205 (Cross); charges, #80 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Not acted in 30 years. Principal Characters new Dress'd. Written by Otway (General Advertiser). Mr Woodward did ye part of Malagene in which he took off Mr Foote & would have many of ye Actors but the Audience grew so outragious, that he was forc'd to desist ye 4th & 5th Acts were much hooted, Mr Havard in a part where he says Whir was severely treated, nor could he ever appear after in ye play, but the whole Audience echoed that Word--it was given out again, wch so enrag'd the Audience yt they call'd loudly for Garrick, but as he was not this Night at the House, they pull'd up the Benches, tore down ye King's Arms, & wou'd have done much more mischief had not Mr Lacy qone into the Pit, & talk'd to 'em, what they resented was giving out a piece again after they had damn'd it--the Gallery resented ye Guards being sent in--Mr Lacy was oblig'd to go upon the Stage after & tell 'em I had given out the play again, as ne'er a Manager was present to give other Directions--In his Argument Mr Lacy call'd a Witness in ye pit, saying that Gent: next to ye painter knows I was in ye pit when ye Guards went into the Gallery, so I cou'd not send 'em this painter after ye rout came behind the scenes & was angry for being call'd painter (his name was Hudson) but at length he as well as ye rest was pacified--and we gave out Provok'd Husband (Cross). [See Foote's retaliation in Daily Advertiser, 26 Jan.] Paid Capt. Turber 1!2 year's rent #11 3s. 4d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #137 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Citizen in Distress. Benefit for Mr Buss. Cash #47 1s. 6d. plus tickets #46 19s. Total income #94 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Tickets to be had at Pinchbeck's Toy Shop, in the Haymarket; the Mitre, Union St., Westminster; The Rummer, Charing Cross, the Gentleman and Porter, Fleet St.; Mr Dickenson, Printseller, Fleet St., Doctor's Commons Coffee House; the Dog Tavern, Garlick Hill; the Three Tuns Aldgate; and of Hobson at the stage door. Tomorrow, the Merchant of Venice, for the Benefit of a Young Gentlewoman under misfortunes, by the bankruptcy of her Guardian (General Advertiser). Receipts: #93 (Cross); charges, #80 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for a young Gentlewoman in Distress thro' ye Bankrupcy of her Guardian (Cross). [Treasurer's Book lists Miller of Mansfield as the Afterpiece, and indicates the ready cash for Mrs Crokatt, the young gentlewoman, was #63 2s.] Paid 1!2 year's Poor rate due Xmas #17 13s. 4d.; Paid Mrs Reynolds for wax & Brick dust 3s. 11d. (Treasurer's Book). [Winston MS 7 lists Intriguing Chambermaid as afterpiece.] Tickets to be had at Mr Owen's at Temple Bar; Batson's Coffee House in Cornhill, and of Hobson at the stage door. Receipts: #210 (Cross); charges #80 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: An Earthquake (Cross). Paid Knight (Tinman) #10 14s.; Wax & Brick dust 3s.11d.; Paid Heath for several things fix'd as per bill in the House late Winsor's #7 2s. 6d.; Norton 6 chorus #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #170 (Cross); #160 8s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Quin. Mainpiece: By Command of their Royal Highnesses Prince George, Prince Edward, Prince William, Prince Henry, Lady Augusta and the Lady Elizabeth. Six rows of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. Stage will be Enclosed and form'd into an Amphitheatre. Paid Quin in full of his agreement #122; Advanced Servandoni #5 5s. [The Account Book itemizes the income this night as #93 15s. in money; #99 5s. in tickets, a total of #193 without stage (i.e., presumably without counting money to Quin gained from friends invited to sit in the Amphitheatre on stage.) This was also a "Free Benefit," i.e., clear of costumary house charges.] Receipts: #193

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pritchard. Mainpiece: Not acted these 7 years [see 2 May 1744]. Tickets and places of Mrs Pritchard, at her house next the chapel in Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and of Hobson at the Stage Door. Five rows of Pit will be rail'd into the Boxes. [Stage as of 10 March.] Paid Blandford (Tallow Chandler) #18 17s. 3d.; Paid Blakes for 2 wiggs #3 3s.; Paid Mrs Pritchard for a ticket as per agreement #10 10s.; Norton 1 chorus 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #220 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. Benefit for Mlle Auretti. King an Princess Emilia [attended] (Cross). Tickets and places to be had of Mlle Auretti at the second house on the left hand, the Corner Panton St., in Leicester Fields, and of Hobson at the stage door. [Pit and boxes laid together and Amphitheatre on stage, as on 10 March.] Paid salary list #203 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #280 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sowdon. Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. A Gent: play'd Puff in the farce--Bug (Cross). [Seems to have been a clear benefit, as Treasurer's Book lists no charges.] Cash #65 8s. 6d., plus tickets #95; Paid Reynolds for wax & [brickdust] 3s. 9d. Paid Mr Pope a Bill #7 14s. [wigmaker] (Treasurer's Book). Tickets of Sowdon at his lodgings, the Sign of the Sun, a Milliner's facing Exeter exchange in the strand, and of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets otherwise to be had at Will's Coffee House in Cornhill, and of Mr Thomas Sowdon in Blackman St., Southwark. We hear William Mills, Comedian, lies at the point of death, at his lodgings in Russell St., Covent Garden. Receipts: #170 (Cross); #160 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)