Event Comment: A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), commenting upon Betterton's success with I Henry IV (see 9 Jan. 1699@1700) pictures Betterton entering his Closet and praying to Shakespeare for further assistance (p. 25), with the result that "tho' some of those Plays that Batterton Acted were Historical, and consequently highly irregular, yet they never fail'd to please" (p. 26). Sullen adds: Well, this lucky hit of Batterton's put D. Lane in a non-plus! Shakespear's Ghost was rais'd at the New-house, and he seem'd to inhabit it for ever: What's to be done then? Oh, says Rich I'll pray as well as he-What? Shall a Heathen Player have more Religion than a Lawyer? No, it shall never be said--with that Mr R@@ goes up to the Garret (a pair of Stairs higher than his own Apartment) and taking Ben Johnson's Picture with him, he implores. This work implies that Betterton presented Henry VIII in addition to I Henry IV and that Rich revived Volpone, The Alchymist, and The Silent Woman, which had, according to the author of this work, lain unacted for twenty years (p. 26)

Event Comment: Tomorrow will be publish'd, at 1s. 6d. Irene. A Tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, by Mr Samuel Johnson, Printed for R. Dodsley in Pall Mall, and sold by M. Cooper in Paternoster Row. [In 1749 was published an Essay on Tragedy, with a Critical Examen of Mahomet and Irene (T. P. Barton@Collection, Boston Public Library).

Event Comment: This day is publish'd Every Man in His Humour, a Comedy written by Ben Johnson, with Alterations and Additions (as it was performed at Drury Lane). Printed for J. and R. Tonson in the Strand. Receipts: #200 (Cross)