Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. With a Procession and Sacrificev. [These were included in both subsequent performances.] Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, by Thomas Sheridan. Not in Larpent MS; not published; synopsis of plot in London Chronicle, 21 Dec.]: Taken from the comedy of that name by Sir John Vanburghi [sic]. Receipts: #151 2s. 6d. (115.4.0; 35.16.0; 0.2.6)

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5]: By the celebrated Henry Fielding; and never yet performed or published. With new Scenes, Dresses, &c. [and incidental music by Michael Arne. Prologue by David Garrick. Epilogue by the same (see text)]. Public Advertiser, 12 Dec. 1778: This Day is published The Fathers (1s. 6d.). "This play was written by Mr Henry Fielding, some years before his death. Mr Garrick saw it at that time. Mr Fielding gave the only fair copy he had of it to his friend Sir Charles Williams, of whose judgment he entertained a high opinion. Sir Charles soon after went abroad, and the comedy was mislaid. Mr. Fielding communicated this circumstance to his family on his death-bed; and enquiry was made for it, but without effect. At length Mr Thomas? Johnes, Member for Cardigan, looking over Sir Charles's books, found a comedy in manuscript, which he read, and, approving, had it transcribed and sent to Mr Garrick for his opinion, who, like Archimedes, cried out, 'This is the lost sheep! This is Mr Henry Fielding's play!' Mr Garrick communicating it to Mr Johnes, Mr Johnes immediately sent the original manuscript, which was in Mr Fielding's hand-writing, to the family, with his best wishes for its success, promising to assist it to the utmost of his power" (Gentleman's Magazine, Dec. 1778, p.586). See also, for corroboration of the above and for other details, Wilbur L. Cross, The History of Henry Fielding, 1918, III, 99-104. Receipts: #210 11s. 6d. (186.6.0; 23.19.6; 0.6.0)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Love--Sir John Brute. A fat performance (and as Mr L--- says) he wanted breath to blow the Jokes out (Hopkins Diary). On 1 April 4 n[umbers] of Dramatic Censor published (Winston MS 10)

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is uncertain, and the play has been sometimes assigned to December 1695. There are indications, however, that the play first appeared at a later time, but certainly not later than 14 March 1695@6, the date attached to the Dedication. The Epilogue has some allusions which suggest mid-February, for it refers to the "Fasting time" of Lent and to "Dancing at Drapers-Hall last Masquerade" (a masquerade ball was held there on 4 Feb. 1695@6). Dedication, Edition of 1696: This Play was given to my Care by a Friend: I promis'd him not to neglect it in the Difficulties it was to pass through. It has had hitherto but an unpleasant Journey; and I knew no better way to make Amends, than by taking up its Rest with you [Sir John Smith]; where I am assured its Reception will be the best a truly Noble and Generous Soul can give. I beg not your Protection, Sir, from those wide-mouth'd Curs, the Criticks: But since they have had their Ends in running it down, 'tis under the Shelter of your Name I desire a poor maim'd Thing, that did its best to shew them Sport, may lye secure from farther Danger....H. Horden. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Damn'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Constant Couple. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. There is no certainty that this is the first performance, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 7-9 Dec. 1699, suggests that the first production may have occurred in mid-November. The Prologue also refers to the abandonment of Dorset Garden to "That strong Dog Sampson" (see 15 and 25 Nov. 1699). A song, Thus Damon knock'd at Celia's door, set by Daniel Purcell, was published separately about this time. Preface, Edition of 1700: All will join with me in Commendation of the Actors, and allow, without detracting from the Merit of others, that the Theatre Royal affords an excellent and compleat Set of Comedians. Mr Wilks's Performance has set him so far above Competition in the Part of Wildair, that none can pretend to envy the Praise due to his Merit. Preface to The Inconstant (1702): I remember, that about two Years ago, I had a Gentleman from France [The Constant Couple] that brought the Play-house some fifty Audiences in five months. A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), p. 32: Critick: But above all, commend me to the ingenious Author of the Trip to the Jubilee. Ramble: Oh Lord, Sir! you won't quarrel with that Play; never any thing did such wonders. Critick: Oh 'twas admirable! admirable! I wonder the Town did not just then bespeak the Bays for him. Sullen: Nay, for ought you and I know, he may live to enjoy 'em; I assure you all the run of the Town is on his side. The Owl was never more esteem'd at Athens than the Trip to the Jubilee was here. Critick: Indeed I have known a Footman have a great stroak with his Lord at begging a Favour; if all the Footmen in Town that admire him were to club for his Preferment, I don't know what might be done. Ramble: The Footmen? Ay, and the middle Gallery too, I assure you are of his side, and that's a strong Party. Critick: Why, I believe it, 'tis about the pitch of their Understanding; but if ever it diverted one Man of tolerable Sense I'll be hang'd. Sullen: I don't know who are your People of tolerable Sense, Mr Critick, but at the play I have seen the Pit, Box and Stage so crowded--and if that is not a sign

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the second edition (1700) states: The first appearance of this Play was on a Wednesday in Lent; for then (it seems) the Town look for a bad Entertainment. [As the play was advertised in the Flying Post, 2 April 1700, the first performance probably occurred in early March.] A Prologue by Sir Charles Sedley which may have been intended for this play is in Sedley's Works, ed. V. de Sola Pinto (London, 1928), I, 46-47, 288-89. A song in this play, separately printed ca. 1700, indicates that the music was composed by Daniel Purcell and that the song was sung by Mrs Erwin