Event Comment: HH. Walpole to H. Mann, 24 Dec.: House full on Saturdays, never on Tuesday.-From Walpole's Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, I, 282

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular desire. Afterpiece: Never Acted Before. [The Farce by Fielding is a sequel to The Virgin Unmasked.] Forbidden soon by the Lord Chamberlain. It being supposed that a particular man of quality was pointed at in one of the characters. The prohibition short of duration (Genest, III, 652). See A Letter to a Noble Lord to whom it alone belongs, occasioned by a representation at Drury Lane of a Farce call'd Miss Lucy in Town (1742), [a 20 page pamphlet criticizing the Lord Chamberlain for allowing this farce. Author gives a scene by scene account emphasizing the bawdry and discounting the pious conclusion. He concludes with remarks on theatrical dancing]: As to Dances, I think your province of prohibition does not extend; so the Public cannot owe their gratitude to you for several. I appeal to those who have been on the coast of Malabar and the banks of the Ganges whether we have not had some that have exceeded on posture, or anything of that kind so common amongst the polite Indians of Indostan. Afterpiece: Mrs Clive mimics the Muscovita admirably, and Beard Amorevoli intolerably (H. Walpole to H. Mann, 26 May).-Horace Walpole Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, I, 435. Receipts: #70

Event Comment: HHorace Walpole to Horace Mann, 24 Feb.: Handel has set up an Oratorio against the Operas and succeeds. He has hired all the goddesses from farces [i.e., Kitty Clive] and the singers of Roast Beef [i.e., Lowe] from between the acts at both theatres, with a man with one note in his voice [i.e., Beard] and a girl without ever a one [i.e., Mrs Cibber]; and so they sing.-Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, II, 180

Event Comment: WWalpole to H. Mann 14 April: To be performed by three good voices and forty bad ones, from Oxford, Canterbury, and the farces.-Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, II, 231. An Entertainment of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, consisting of various Motetts, Chorus's, Concerto's & to be divided into three parts, after the manner of an Oratorio. The whole to conclude with the celebrated Piece of Vocal Musick from Rome. [Usual prices.

Event Comment: WWalpole to Horace Mann, 14 Aug.: We were thirty subscribers, at two hundred pounds each, which was to last four years, and no other demands ever to be made. Instead of that we have been made to pay 56 pounds over and above the subscription in one winter.--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, II, 293-94

Event Comment: Notices of performances on this date had appeared since 8 Sept., as at common prices and written by the late Sir Richard Steele, yet under the unsettled circumstances Fleetwood may not have assembled the players necessary for the production. Macklin, Garrick, Mills, Pritchard, Havard, Berry, Leigh, Blakes, Woodburn, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard, and Mrs Mills had withdrawn and were attempting to form a company for acting at the New Haymarket. See Drury Lane Management in the Introduction

Event Comment: We hear that the Lord Chamberlain has refus'd granting a License to the seceding players to act in the Theatre in the Haymarket. (Daily Advertiser) To the Author of the London Daily Post, Sir: As I have engag'd myself for this winter to perform in Dublin, by an Invitation of Several Persons of Distinction in Ireland, I think it my duty before I leave London, by your paper, to return my sincere and hearty thanks to the Town for the many favours I have receiv'd during the Time of my Performing in Publick, which I hope they will Candidly accept from their most of Oblig'd, humble Servants, Thomas Lowe

Event Comment: As alter'd by Mr Dryden and Sir William Davenant, from Shakespear. Last night the Play of the Tempest, with all the Musick and Decorations belonging to it, was perform'd at the New Wells in Goodman's Fields.--Daily Advertiser, 15 Feb

Event Comment: HHorace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann, 29 March: The Town flocks to a new play of Thomson's call'd Tancred and Sigismunda: it is very dull: I have read it. I cannot bear modern poetry; these refiners of the purity of the stage, and of the incorrectness of English verse, are most woefully insipid. -Toynbee, Letters of Horace Walpole, II, 82

Event Comment: Will be perform'd several new exercises of Rope Dancing and Tumbling, by M. Duge, Vangable and others, divided into two Parts. Boxes [as 26 Dec. 1744]. Between the two Parts of the Exercises will be given gratis the Tempest as alter'd by Mr Dryden and Sir William Davenant from Shakespear. 7 p.m

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh. Afterpiece: By Desire

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd by Roger, Marr, Leigh, &c for Sir Courtly Nice will be taken. [Absence of additional parts in advance bill of 5 April suggests cutting of them in acting text.

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd out by Mr Davis will be taken. [Bransby doubled in Oxford and Tyrrel. The General Advertiser quoted a long Epilogue on the Birthday of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland Written by the Farmer (who had taken over the role of Swift's Drapier) and spoken by Garrick in Dublin. It also quoted the following long puff for Ray's Benefit to come]: Sir, As long acquaintance best entitles us to friendly good natured offices, and as no more proper time can be found to confer them than when the person is in the Decline of life, give me leave to recommend (thro' your means) Mr Ray of Drury Lane Theatre, the oldest actor now belonging to that House, to the Favour of the Town, at his ensuing Benefit next Saturday. A person who once agreeably entertained the Public, should always feel the warmth of their Indulgence, tho' the Infirmities of Old age may have render'd him less pleasing than formerly. This Application is therefore meant to those friends of his, whom Distance of time, and change of Situation may have made it impossible any other way to acquaint them, that The Merchant of Venice is to be acted for his Benefit on Saturday next; therefore 'tis hoped they will be so kind as to send for his Tickets to Mr Hobson, in the Playhouse Passage, or to Mr Ray's lodgings, the second Door in Queen's Court, Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and the Favour will ever be greatly acknowledged by him

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: To the Author of the General Advertiser: Sir: I beg leave by means of your paper, to acquaint the friends of Tom Harbin, that he intends shortly to have a Benefit at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden: Having in consequebce of the advice of many of them, apply'd himself to Mr Rich, on that account who very generously and readily said he would contribute anything in his power to serve him; and as one night of the week might be better than another, (as his Interest lay) he gave him his choice, whereupon he chose Wednesday, as being a night of most leisure amongst people eminent in trade, on whom the city depends. He persuades himself that those who have laughed with him, will not laugh at him for requesting a favour (which his circumstances could never be supposed to put him above accepting) from persons of affluent fortunes, which the generality of his friends are; and who Experienc'd good nature, he doubts not, will serve him on this occasion. In a few days Publick notice will be given of the time, the Play, &c. I am &c. Jack Friendly, Grigsby's Coffee House, Nov. 7, 1748. [See General Advertiser, 8 Nov. See also 14 Dec.

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: Published at 1s. 6d. Romeo and Juliet, revised by Theo. Cibber, first rev[ived] in Sept. 1744 at the Theatre in the Haymarket. Now acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Great objects only strike the Gen'rous Heart@Praise the Sublime, o'er look the Mortal Part@Be there your judgment, Here your Candor shown@Small is our Portion-and we wish 'Twere none.-Prologue to Comus alter'd, &c. To which is added a Serio-Comic Apology for part of the life of Theophilus Cibber, Comedian, written by himself. Interspers'd with Memoirs and Anecdotes relating to the Stage managements, Theatrical Resolutions, &c., also Cursory Observations on some Pribcipal players. Particularly, Mr Quin, Ryan, Delane, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Ward, Miss Bellamy, Mr Garrick, Barry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard and others. Likewise Original Letters that passed between the late Sir Thomas deVeil and Mr Theophilus Cibber relating to the Stage Act. "Each Puny Critic can Objections raise@The Greatest still is Knowing when to praise,"-Buckingham. Concluding with a Copy of Verses called The Contrite Comedian's Confession. Printed for C. Corbett &c. (General Advertiser). [This pamphlet details Cibber's troubles with Fleetwood during the years 1743-46.] Receipts: #160 (Cross); #151 11s. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Delane. To Mr H-. Sir: A Number of your Friends have wished to see performed the Oratorio of Joshua, which, if you would direct to be performed this season, would be much gratified, and in particular, Your Humble Servant, A Virtuoso (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit Sir Gregory Gazette and his Son Tim, viz. Messrs. Shuter and Costollo. To begin exactly half an hour after six. Prices: 4s., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Paid salary list #305 15s. 6d.; Mrs Hobson a bill 14s. 9d.; Paid Mr Mattocks as per order #1 1s.; Paid Mr Cartony for 12 yds. silver lace #9 12s.; Bought 12 lbs. Lampwicke #1 (Treasurer's Book). Next Monday will be reviv'd a Comedy (not acted these 30 years) call'd Friendship in Fashion, written by Otway. Receipts: #160 (Cross); #162 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Daily Advertiser: To Mr W-d, Sir, After the many defeats you have already suffer'd in the Mimical War between us, to which Ireland as well as England have been laughing witnesses; I was greatly surpris'd to hear that you again intended to provoke my future vengeance, by dressing at me in the character of Malagene, which you are to perform in the reviv'd play Friendship in Fashion. Whatever you may think, Mr W-d, these public exhibitions of particular persons by no means become the dignity of the stage, & though a disorder in my Finances may occasionally have urged me to some Pleasant attacks in this way, yet give me leave to say, I never was abandoned enough to think 'em justifiable...Your intended attack on me...as the character you are to represent is...indeed not that of the most nice Morality; who knows but that...some may cry, "Tis he from head to Foot." As you are sensible this would be doing me great Injustice, & in my present circumstances might be particularly injurious to me, I expect you will alter the Design

Event Comment: By Desire. Paid salary list #305; Rec'd Cash #142 12s. plus #24 4s.; in tickets. Total #166 16s. Paid for the making a Robe for Mrs Clive by Garrick's order #1 2s. 6d.; Paid Mr Oram (Scene painter) on acct #6 6s. by order of Lacy; for a Great coat for Sir Francis Wronghead by order of Lacy 14s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #156 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Afterpiece [written by Mrs Clive]: A new farce partly singing, part speakg. Went off well (Cross). Music by Dr Boyce. Five rows of Pit &c. [Stage arranged as on 10 March. The framework for financial analysis of receipts appears in Treasurer's Book, but the figures are missing. The parts for The Rehearsal, according to the Larpent MS 86, were: Mrs Hazard, Nelly, Tom, Witling, Mr Cross; Miranda-$Miss Norris; Corydon-$Beard; Marcella, Miss Giggle, Sir Albany Odelove, Miss Sidell, Miss Daudle.] Receipts: #240 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Nothing said abour ye prolog: (Cross). The Music of the Funeral Procession compos'd by Dr Boyce. [See "William Boyce's 'Solemn Dirge' in Garrick's Romeo and Juliet Production of 1750," by Charles Haywood, Shakespeare Quarterly, Spring, 1960.] This day is Publish'd at 1s. 6d. Romeo and Juliet a Tragedy, revised and alter'd from Shakespear by Theophilus Cibber, First revised in September 1744, at the Theatre in the Haymarket; now acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. To which is added a Serio-Comic Apology for Part of the Life of Mr Theophilus Cibber, Comedian, written by himself. Interspers'd with memoirs and anecdotes relating to the Stage Managements, Theatrical Resolutions, &c. also cursory Observations on principal Players: particularly Mr Quin, Mr Ryan, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Ward, and Miss Bellamy; Mr Garrick, Mr Barry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard, &c. Likewise Original Letters that passed between the late Sir Thomas DeVeil and Mr Theophilus Cibber relating to the Stage Act, Concluding with a copy of Verses, call'd the Contrite Comedian's Confession. Printed for C. Corbett, the Publisher, at Addison's Head, facing St Dunstan's Church, Fleet St; G. Woodfall, at the King's Arms, the corner of Craig's Court, Charing Cross. [See 11 Oct.] Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Leveridge. Play Written by Sir John Vanbrugh