Event Comment: London Post, No. 30, 1-3 Jan. 1700: This day at the Theatre-Royal in Dorset-garden, the Famous Kentish-man Mr Joy, designs to show the same Tryals of Strength, he had the honour of showing before his Majesty, the Prince and Princess of Denmark, and several Persons of Quality, viz. The lifting a weight of 2240 l. Holding an extraordinary large Cart-Horse; and afterwards breaking a Rope that will bear 3500 weight. There will likewise be shewn the Sister, carrying 5 Bushels of Wheat, or any other grain; She being but 15 Years of Age. They will also show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning at 3 of the Clock, and ending at 4 in the Afternoon. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. 1st Gallery 1s. Upper gallery 6d

Event Comment: Alice Hatton, writing on (possibly) 20 Jan. 1699@1700: I was last night (with Lady Longuevil and Lady Arundel) at ye Princess's, and Lady Long: was so kind to offer to carry me to ye Oppera to day with her and Lady Portland; but I was so unfortunate as to be engaged to go to Lady Denbighs to see ye famous Mrs Binges dance, or else I should have bin glad to have waited on Lady Long: tho I had seen it before and think it very silly. Mr Abel is to have a fine musicke meeting to morrow, and ye tickets are guineas a piece, wch is a little to much for me to throw away; so I shall not be there, and I find so many yt can afford it better of my mind, yt I fancy, if he had lower rates, he would have got more (Hatton Correspondence, Camden Society, XXIII [1878], 245). It is difficult to assign a proper date to this letter. It is unlikely that it was written on Saturday 20 Jan., as Abell was not likely to offer a concert on Sunday at which admission would be charged. It is possible that the opera referred to is The Grove, which is known to have been performed on 19 Feb. 1700, but the fact that this opera was unsuccessful makes it unlikely that it had its premiere in mid-January and was played again in mid-February. Perhaps the letter should be dated mid-February

Event Comment: [By George Farquhar. Date of premiere unknown. Published 5 March.] Preface: As to the Success of it...the French were prepossess'd, and the charms of Gallick Heels were too hard for an English Brain....There were some Gentlemen in the Pit the first Night, that took the Hint from the Prologue to damn the Play; but they made such a noise in the execution, that the People took the outcry for a reprieve....There is a Gentleman of the first Understanding, and a very good Critick, who said of Mr Wilks, that in this Part he out-acted himself, and all Men that he ever saw

Event Comment: Benefit Pinkeman. Common Prices. All Persons that come behind the Scenes are desired to pay their Money to none but Mr Pinkeman. [This benefit had originally been advertised for 24 Oct. but deferred, the offerings for that day being a medley of The Death of King Henry VI, a Tragical Interlude of one Act only; Aesop, "several select Scenes" only; and The School-Boy; or, The Comical Rivals.