Event Comment: Books of the Opera to be had at the Theatre. Paid Pattinson (tallow chandler) #35 10s., and Evans for Spermecetti candles #14 8s. Receipts: #143 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Receipts: #86 (Account Book). Charges #81 15s. Profit to Society #4 5s., plus #106 17s. from tickets (Box 242; Pit 309) (Account Book). Benefit for Use of the Society at the Thatched-House Tavern For the release and discharge of persons imprisoned for small debts. [The Epilogue was written by Cumberland. (See Folger Library Theatrical Clippings). The Curtain rises and discovers a prison; at some distance a woman, poorly habited, and in a disconsolate attitude; after standing some time montionless, in a posture of fixed attention she speaks]: @Woman: Thou loathsome dungeon in whose dreary womb@The pining Debtor finds a living tomb;@Where 'midst the Clank of Chains and Dismal yells@Of shakled felons my sad husband dwells;@From his dark cell, oh give him to my view!@Let him look forth and take a last adieu.@ [As she advances towards the prison, a person in Gentleman's apparel accosts her.] @Man: Stay, Child of Sorrow, thou whose piercing groans@Might move to pity e'en these senseless stones.@Why dost thou bend thy melancholy way@To that Drear Dungeon? Child of Sorrow stay.@Woman: Why should I stay, or my sad Griefs impart?@Can there be pity in a Human heart?@Away and let me die.@ [...The Man suggests a Human heart can have pity] @Woman: If there be such, O lead me to their sight,@And let me plead a wretched sufferer's right:@Can there be Truth, Humanity or Sense@In laws that make Misfortune an offence?@ [Her husband was a God-fearing weaver who fell ill for 10 weeks, lost his job and was seized upon by a relentless creditor.] @Steel'd to their trade, and deaf to all our cries,@Relentless ruffians seize their legal prize;@From my fond arms a dying Husband tear@And plunge their victims in a dungeon there!@Man: Enough! go speak the healing words of peace@To thy sad mate, and bear him this release;@Tell him the Muse, which on these Scenes attend@That balsam to his wounded spirit sends.@And Know this Truth thyself, 'tis not alone@The Preacher's pulpit and the Monarch's throne@That Charity frequents; but in this age,@She guides the Theatre and treads the stage;@Lo! She is present, cast your eyes around,@And here in each Spectator's heart she's found.

Event Comment: Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Paid Mr Jenkins Ext. Trumpet 8 nights in Alfred #4 4s.; Chorus 2 nights (This incl.) #3 11s.; Taylor's bill for dinners for men #3 9s. 11d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Pantomime (never performed). The Music entirely new, by Fisher, New Scenes, Machines, Dresses, and Decorations. Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under FULL PRICE will be taken. [The note about full prices and availability of books of songs, &c. accompanies each subsequent bill for Sylphs this season. The Westminster Magazine (Jan. 1774) fears the afterpiece may have been composed by Woodward. The reviewer recounts the story in some detail, likes the paintings and scenery, but states categorically: "We do not hesitate to pronounce it the worst Harlequin entertainment we remember to have seen...The music too is very insipid and pilfered from other masters."] Receipts: #237 3s. 2d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Catley, being the last time, but one, of her performing this season. Box, Pit and Gallery Tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. Charges #65 6s. Profit to Miss Catley #136 5s.; plus #67 11s. from tickets (Box 232; Pit 49; Gallery 22). Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s., Watch rate #14 11s. 8d., and half year's paving rate due Mich. last #26 5s. Paid Recor's rate (one year's due Xmas last) for House in Bow Passage, 6s. 3d, and watch rate for ditto 10s. 8d. Receipts: #201 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Payments: Mr D. Garrick's 3 Nights for the Christmas Tale, 30 Dec., 4 & 11 Jan., #84 charges deducted each night--#371 14s. (Treasurer's Book). At Isleworth, James Lacy, Esq.: one of the patentees of Drury Lane Theatre died (Gentleman's Magazine, 44, p. 47). [For full account of Lacy, see Covent Garden Magazine (229-34).] Rec'd of Mr Burges, 1 yrs. rent to Xmas last (#4 4s. King's Tax deducted) #16 16s.; Paid Mr Cropley (linen draper) 2 Bills #66 10s. 6d.; Mr Scott (laceman) #66 1s.; Messrs Lowe & Co. (glaziers) #18 6s.; Mr Burges (bricklayer) #65 8s.; Mr Waller (hosier) #24 5s.; Messrs Barrow & Co., oil, #53 7s. 6d.; Messrs Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #30 11s.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) 2 bills, #14 10s. 6d.; Mr Hatsell (mercer) 3 bills, #120 11s.; Mr J. French's draft to Mr Wise #5 10s.; Mr J. Johnston's Music Bill #24 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #246 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Sunday 30 Jan-Saturday last died James Love, Comedian, Master of Edinburg Theatre, late of Drury Lane. Was educated at Westminster School and went from there to Cambridge (Winston MS 10). Rec'd stopages #19 19s. 6d.; Paid salary list #529 2s.; Mr King's extra salary #3. Receipts: #183 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid for 2 extra Flutes & Guitars (29 ultimo incl.) #2 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published Bell's edition of Shakespeare's acting plays, 'as performed at the Theatres Royal in London, requlated from the Prompt Books of each House, by permission of the managers, with notes critical and illustrative by the author of the Dramatic Censors, 5 vols. 12 mo. Price 15s."] Receipts: #246 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Tickets to be had and places to be taken for boxes, of Mr Johnston, at the Stage Door of the Theatre, at Half a Guinea each. Pit 5s. Gallery 3s. 6d. Upper Gallery 2s. The doors to be open'd at Five o'clock. To Begin at Half Past Six. N.B. Those Ladies who had boxes last year, and intend to continue them the ensuing season, are humbly requested to give immediate notice to Mr Johnston that they may be secured to them

Event Comment: [Oratorios were not given at Covent Garden this season. No record of any occurrence in the Account Book for this day. Full Epilogue to the Man of Business publish'd in Public Advertiser, with note that many lines were omitted, because of its length, in the theatre.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. Books of the Burletta to be had at the theatre. Author's third night. Charges #64 5s. Profit to author #37 12s. Receipts: #101 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these years. [See 17 March 1772. Gentlewoman identified by Hopkins Manuscript Notes and by Winston MS 10. The Westminster Magazine for March (p. 111) gives out that "she was very lately a boarder with the celebrated Charlotte Hayes; a circumstance which will inform our readers that her figure is pleasing and also that she is young and hadsome. It is but justice, however, to add that she possesses the internal as well as external requisites of a good actress; for she discovers great feeling and sensibility; and indeed promises to be an ornament to the theatre."] Receipts: #192 6s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: For the Author of Sethona 3rd night (Treasurer's Book). ["This play may be properly styled a faggot of utter improbabilities, connected by a band of the strongest Northern fustian. Overawed by Scottish influence, Mr Garrick prevailed on himself to receive it. But though his theatre was apparently full several times during its nine nights' run, it brought so little cash into the treasury, that he would not have lamented its earlier condemnation. It expired on his premises, but hardly left enough behind it to defray expenses of its funeral."--Biographia Dramatica. A glance at the box receipts from the Treasurer's Book hardly bears out the Biographia Dramatica statement as to its financial failure.] Paid half years Poor's rate for St Martin's to Xmas last #32 8s. (Treasurer's Book). [The author's profit was reduced by #10 10s. on 26 March when it was found he had not been charged for use of a new farce.] Receipts: #194 19s. Charges: #73 10s. Profit to Author: #121 9s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Oratorio: Written by the late Dr Hawksworth. Set to music by Stanley. Books of the Oratorio may be had of Mr Condell, in Cross St., Bow St., Covent Garden, and at the theatre the night of the performance. Price 1s. [This night Wm. Kenrick delivered his tenth, and apparently last, lecture on The School of Shakespeare. It was on King Lear, and very little could be said in favor of any of his remarks on the passages he selected...[he closed by] presenting the audience an act from Falstaff's Wedding." Monthly Miscellany (April 1774, p. 191), which had reviewed all of his lectures, had commented upon the increasing popularity of them as evidenced by the numbers attending, and presented an engraving of Kenrick in action before his audience.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hartley. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire, with New Music, Dresses and Decorations. Interlude taken from Prior's celebrated poem, The Nut Brown Maid. Books of the Interlude to be had at the Theatre. Adapted by Henry Bate. Charges: #72 9s. 6d. Profit to Mrs Hartley #54 15s., plus #61 18s. from tickets (Box 202; Pit 76). Paid Whitfield for making cloaths #33 17s. 4d.; Paid Mr Walker for trimmings &c. #13 4s. Receipts: #127 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston. Tickets delivered for 7 April taken. It is agreed this day between Mrs Abington and Mr Garrick that the former shall be engag'd to him and Mr Lacy, Patentees of the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, for three years from this date, or three acting seasons, at the sum of twelve pounds a week, with a Benefit, and sixty pounds for cloaths--the above agreement to be put into Articles according to the usual form. s@ Frances Abington, D. Garrick for himself and Mr Lacy (Folger Library, Garrickiana 962 MS [Cage, p. 154).] Receipts: #205 14s. 6d. Charges: #66 5s. Profits to Weston: #139 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pitt and Stoppelaer. Charges #67 15s. Deficit to each #4 6s. 9d., cover'd by income from tickets: Mrs Pitt #53 7s. (Box 48; Pit 185; Gallery 136); Stopplear, #86 5s. (Box 112; Pit 271; Gallery 176). Paid Bates for performing 4 nights in the Sorcerer to 11 Oct. last 10s., 5 nights in Henry VIII to 14 Feb. last #1 5s., and 5 nights in the Fair to 13 Nov. last 5s. Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Lady day last, #24 15s. 10d., and ditto for House in Bow Passage 17s. 9d. Receipts: #59 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd Remainder of Sinking Fund #561 15s.; Mr Bank's 1 yrs rent to Lady Day last #3; Box Office Keeper's cash returned Watson #10; Archeveque #15; Remainder of S. Barry's Bag #75 14s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book). Paid Salary List #525 12s.; half yrs. Cleansing & Lighting to Lady Day last for St Martin's #12 3s.; Mr King's extra salary #3; Manager's gift to the sufferers by fire in King Street not belonging to the theatre (#10 10s., but Mr Kennedy's Bt. under charged #3 12s. deducted) #6 18s.; Mr Millidge, printer 15s.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; half yrs Land and Window Tax for Covent Garden Parish to Lady Day last-#2 18s. 6d.; Church rate for 1 yr ditto 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 2 years. [See 31 Dec. 1772.] Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No Persons admitted behind the scenes, nor any money returned after the Curtain is drawn up. Places for Boxes to be taken of Mr Sarjant (only) at the Stage Door. The Doors to be open'd at half an hour past 5 o'clock. To Begin half an Hour past 6. Vivant Rex & Regina. [Customary footnote for all succeeding bills this season, not to be repeated here. Woodward seems to have spoken an Occasional Prologue on the opening of the theatre. See request for its repetition on bill for 21 Sept. This Prologue is Larpent MS 377. It suggests the policy of offerings and competitions for the season--some old plays, some new, some foreign, some pantomimes, some Shakespeare, &c.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Theatre open at half past five. Play to begin half past six. Paid Supernumeraries & Kettle Drum 2 nights #1 7s. (Treasurer's Book). [This payment averaged #2 10s. per night throughout the season, or #470 total for the season. No further notation will be made of the item.] Receipts: #152 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Smith from Covent Garden Theatre made his first appearance upon this Stage in K. Richd the 3d & was receiv'd with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording. Kemble also refers to borrowing Smith from cg 29 May 1759, which was actually his first appearance at dl.] Paid a Tow Bill 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [This is the customary monthly charge for tow for wicks. It came to #4 10s. for the whole season. No further itemizing of it will be made.] Receipts: #239 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Music by Fisher. The whole to conclude with a Capital Scene by Servandoni. Books of the Songs, Chorusses &c. [of the afterpiece] to be had at the Theatre. [Customary note on all succeeding bills advertising the Sylphs this season. Mrs Williams was probably Mrs Willems.

Event Comment: Mr Lacy a Proprietor of this Theatre made his first appearance upon the Stage in the part of Alexander. He is very Tall, & Thin, a good Voice but His Fright took away from it's power--he was rec'ed with Applause. Mr Garrick wrote a New Occasional Prologue to introduce him, which was Spoken by Mr King & rec'ed with great Applause (Hopkins Diary). Paid 4 days list at #91 8s. 10d. per diem #365 15s. 4d.; Mr J. French on Acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [The Westminster Magazine commented on Willoughby Lacy's performance (Oct. 1774): "His performance was far from answering the expectations we had been taught to form from a friend and pupil of our English Roscius. Indeed Mr Lacy is a very young man: therefore we ought not to draw the line of our expectation. His figure is at present lank, awkward, and unengaging; his voice distinctly powerful, but inharmonious; his action outre, vulgar and forced: his attitudes unnatural, affected and disgustful; and his delivery a continued rant, without proper change, a pleasing variety, or a just discrimination of the necessary difference of tone demanded by the different passions. These...capital defects...are not unsurmountable...The play was prefaced by a new Prologue, evidently the production of Mr Garrick. It had some humor and was well received. The purport of it was to beg favor for the hero of the evening, whom it compared to a young swimmer, who had tried to float in two shallow streams, and was now about to venture himself in the great deep. This image is certainly an apt one, though, it is no great compliment to the audiences of Norwich and Birmingham."] Receipts: #248 19s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: New Overture and Pieces of Music Between the Acts. Music by Barthelemon. New Scenes, Habits and Decorations. The Scenes designed by DeLoutherberg, and painted by Messrs French, Royer, and Greenwood. Books of the songs and Chorusses to be had at the Theatre. This piece is got up in a most Superb manner. The Scenery is beyond description fine -& the whole Performance tho' the most complicated upon the stage went off with uncommon Applause. Mrs Abington played finely--Mr Slingsby & Sga Hidou danc'd for the first time & were Amazingly well Rec'ed. The Ballets are very Grand (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Rec'd stopages #17 18s.; Paid salary list #567 16s.; J. French on Acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mainpiece: Never performed before, by John Burgoyne. [The review in the Westminster Magazine, Nov. 1774, tells the plot, and concludes: "After some superb exhibitions of transparent scenery, several characteristic airs, and elegant dances, Mr Oldworth...proclaims Maria his only daughter and gives her to Sir Harry. After a dance of Cupids, Hymen, &c....offering them eternal wreaths, the Druid of the Oaks, freed by the present powers of Beauty from that sequestered habitation to which by mystic spells he had long been doomed, appears to ratify their union, and astonishes the spectators by his magic influence, in a glorious vision of that felicity the virtues of the happy pair had so justly insured. An admirable vaudeville, and a grand dance, conclude the dramatic entertainment....Had it not appeared obvious that the whole was intended as a mere vehicle for the splendid spectacle, we do not suppose, in spite of the managers Orders and Puffs, that the author's labors would have been tolerated. The very excellent scenery, however, of the ingenious Mr Loutherbourg preserved this piece from that damnation, which as a dramatic production, it justly merited."] Receipts: #263 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Miss Robins made her first appearance upon the Stage in the part of the Country Girl an agreeable figure as a Woman & also in Breeches-she has a particular Cuddenish wa with her wch is not amiss in this Character, but I am afraid it will be a disadvantage to her in any other. Mr G. took great pains with her, & a long time in Training her before he brought her out he wrote & introduc'd a Song in the part and a New Prologue to introduce her & alter'd the Epilogue. all which & the Lady were very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] The Songs introduced in the Comedy [mainpiece] will be printed, and given at the doors of the Theatre. [The Westminster Magazine for December remarked of Miss Robbins' performance and reception, "The first was spirited and characteristic; the latter very favorable, and in our opinion deservedly so. She is no beauty but has strong expression. Her voice is pleasing, and her articulation was extremely distinct and proper."] Receipts: #149 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)