Event Comment: MMiss Wilkinson has not only complied with the Vulgar Method of printing Bills, but as more elegant Form of Invitation, has sent complimentary Cards to all the Ladies of Distinction. [A debate on the superiority of the fair sex, after which Miss Wilkinson performed on the wire. A Praemium and peroration were spoken by George Alexander Stevens. Well advertised in advance bills. It began at 7 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. This performance, soon changed to A Short Comic Oratorio and had a run here, almost always advertised as by the particular desire of several ladies of quality.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. Boxes #62 10s. 6d. Macklin's fifth above charges came to #25 2s. 11d. Paid for sundry clothes from Voelcher #30 10s. Paid Blackmore a Bill for Rich #29 10s. and a Bill for the Theatre from 19 April last: #84 (Account Book). [On 1 Feb. one H. F. of the Middle Temple wrote to Macklin suggesting two things to insure the success of the Married Libertine. The first was practical, "bring in a claque of friends to counteract the noise of the Scots Lords who are opposing it." The second was revisional: "The play is too long,--shorten it and give the house notice that you have so done. The scenes wherein Lady Belville is solemn, grave, complaining and moral may be much abbreviated; this will...take away that heavy, lazy and sleepy (however just) part which makes your friends languish and grow cold, and gives your enemies an opportunity to improve their rancor and malignity. This observation may be applied to every recital, narrative or description which is not absolutely necessary or descriptive,--I mean necessarily connected with the frame, contexture & execution of the drama, or something designed or painted with uncommon poetic fire and enthusiasm. Pray consider whether that serious, moral and sentimental part in the character of Angelica might not be curtailed, or entirely omitted. I would have your young captain fully employed in action without ever standing still to moralize or harangue, however sensibly and poignantly he may do it. After all this there will remain a rich and uninterrupted vein of true comic humour and lively representation in short, a well connected series and succession of business which I am convinced would keep the audience so attentive and so entirely possessed that there would be no room for languor or malice to produce any effect to your detriment." (Memoirs of Macklin [Harvard Theatre Collection, extra-illustrated edition, I, part 2, p. 414.] Receipts: #188 14s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Elisi. With Several alterations of new and favourite songs. This Opera will be one half an hour shorter than when it first came out, which renders the former books unserviceable. Sg Elisi has therefore ordered new books to be printed

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing the opera this season