Event Comment: Tom Brown, writing to George Moult, 30 Aug. 1699: As I have observ'd to you, this noble Fair is quite another thing than what it was in the last Age; it not only deals in the humble stories of Crispin and Crispianus, Whittington's Cat, Bateman's Ghost, with the merry Conceits of the Little Pickle-herring; but it produces Opera's of its own Growth, and is become a formidable Rival to both the Theatres. It beholds Gods descending from Machines, who express themselves in a language suitable to their dignity; it trafficks in Heroes; it raises Ghosts and Apparitions; it has represented the Trojan Horse, the Workmanship of the divine Epeus; it has seen St. George encounter the Dragon, and overcome him; In short, for Thunder and Lightning, for Songs and Dances, for sublime Fustian and magnificent Nonsense, it comes not short of Drury-Lane or Lincolns-Inn-Fields (in Thomas Brown, Works, 4th edition, 1715, I, 212-13). [For a colorful account of Bartholomew Fair at the turn of the century, see The London Spy Compleat, 1703, Parts X and XI, particularly pages 228-58.]

Event Comment: [Mainpiece by Charles Boyle. Premiere.] Benefit Mrs Porter, who performs a part in it she never acted before. [Since Mrs Porter is not in the cast in the edition of 1703, the meaning of this statement is not clear.] At the Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: With all the Bisings, Sinkings, and Flyings as they were originally perform'd

Event Comment: Written by the Author of the Careless Husband [Colley Cibber]. Never Acted before

Event Comment: [By Susanna Centlivre.] Never Acted before. Whincop (pp. 189-90): On the first Day there was a very poor House, scarce Charges. Under these Circumstances, it cannot be supposed the Play appeared to much Advantage, the Audience only came there for want of another Place to go to, but without any Expectation of being much diverted; they were yawning at the Beginning of it, but were agreeably surprized, more and more every Act, till at last the House rung with as much Applause as was possible to be given by so thin an Audience

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [See Tatler, 26 Nov., on the competitive elements of two playhouses.

Event Comment: To which Note: Mr Penkethman acts six Days more for the Subscribers to bring their Tickets. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Porter. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Admission as 21 May, but Gallery 1s

Event Comment: Not Acted these 50 Years. Written by Shakespear in the Reign of King James the First. N.B. There will be a Play acted upon every Tuesday and Friday during the Summer-Season

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Pack. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: money #22 12s. 6d.; tickets #58 4s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Addison. Receipts: #70 9s

Event Comment: Benefit the Author