Event Comment: The True News; or, Mercurius Anglicus, 4-7 Feb. 1679@80: On Munday night last hap
pened a great dispute in the
Duke's Play-house, some Gentlemen in their Cupps entring into the Pitt, flinging Links at the Actors, and using several reproachfull speeches against the
Dutchess of P. and other persons of Honour, which has occasioned a Prohibition from farther Acting, till
his Majesties farther pleasyre. A letter written by the
Dowager Countess of Sunderland to
Henry Sidney, dated 6 Jan. 1679@80 [possibly misdated] refers to disorders which are similar to those recorded in
The True News: You must needs hear of the abominable disorders amongst us, calling all the women whores and the men rogues in the playhouses--throwing candles and links--calling my
Lord Sunderland traitor, but in good company; the
Duke of York?, rascal; and all ended in "God bless his Highness, the
Duke of Monmouth. We will be for him against the world." I am told they may be fined a great deal if they are prosecuted. Two of these are knights of shires,
Sir Scroope How, and my
Lord Wharton's@eldest son; the only sufferer yet is
Porter. They are ashamed, I hear, and afraid (
R. W. Blencowe,
Diary of the Times of Charles the Second by the Honourable Henry Sidney [
London, 1843], I, 237)