Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Farquhar. Receipts: #79 19s. (Account Book). [At this point Account Book, Egerton 2270, showed a deficit of #27 19s. 7d., which was wiped out by bringing over a balance of #290 5s. 6d., form the Journal, &c. No 21, Folio 186, a record which seems not now to be extant. This transfer of funds allowed Rich to meet the payroll of #251 17s. the following day.

Event Comment: BBarry play'd at C. Garden some little Noise, on Account of his being ye occasion of ye late Riot, & demanding more Money than usual-but his speech declaring his Innocence; King Lear went on in quiet (Cross). It is hoped that the Ladies and Gentlemen who took places for the Fatal Marriage this evening will excuse its not being acted 'till tomorrow, as it is impossible for Mrs Cibber to perform the character of Isabella without proper respit. The Old Comedy alter'd from Shirley [The Gamesters] will be reviv'd next week (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: [For Cross' comment, see dl.] Receipts: #203 8s. 6d. Paid Barry one third of the surplus of this night's receipt over and above #80 allow'd for the charges:-#41 2s. 10s. Paid Lambert (Scene Painter) 3 month's salary to 16 Nov. last:-#25 (Account Book). [Lee, who seems to have entered earlier on a percentage-of-Box-Receipts: basis for his salary, received only one-third of receipts above a house charge of #100.] The Tragedy of King Lear was presented on this stage; King Lear by Mr Barry, and Cordelia by Mrs Bellamy; The latter was received with universal satisfaction; but on the former's appearance, after a thundering Peal of Applause, a few misguided persons made it necessary for Mr Barry to inform the audience that it ever had been his study to contribute his utmost to the entertainment of the town, and that all reports of his having been exorbitant in his demands were injurious and totally groundless. Upon this he was desired with one general acclamation to proceed in the play. The disturbers of the public were ordered to be silent or to be turned out of the house; and this great actor proved, by the improvement he has made in this character, that excellent as he is, he is still capable of reaching new strokes of perfection; and in the conclusion of the play the applause he met with was the tribute of hearts gratefully agitated through the whole performance with a variety of passions thrown into a ferment by powers most wonderfully suited to tenderness and compassion (London Chronicle, 3-6 Dec.)

Event Comment: Benefit for the Lying In Hospital, Aldersgate St. Receipts: #76 15s. Income from Tickets #80 11s. (boxes 114; pit 273; gallery 111). Charges #84 (Account Book). Tomorrow the First Part of King Henry IV. [A long plea for attendance at this performance appeared in the Public Advertiser: "It affords me the greatest satisfaction when I peruse your paper, and find so many advertisements for charitable Benefits at the Theatres; which must greatly add to the Entertainment of the Stage, when we are sensible that the profits are to be appropriated towards the relief and support of the Indigent and distress'd; for the refief of whom, it must (at the same time it gives us secret pleasure) raise the astonishment of foreigners to see so many charitable piles raise their benevolent roofs in and about this great Metroplis. Amongst which I must beg leave to recommend to the Public, the City of London Lying In Hospital in Aldersgate Street (for the Benefit of which the Play of the Conscious Lovers will be performed this evening at Covent Garden); whose charitable doors have been opened for the relief of a much greater Number since the late dearth of Provisions, than its Annual Income (being supported by voluntary contributions) can possibly support, without further aid from the Public." The plea continues by emphasizing the need for expert and tender care for pregnant women, and by pointing out the satisfaction British sailors will have in knowing their wives may be delivered in this hospital.] [The Occasional Prologue (Written by Mr Lockman, Secretary to the Society of Free British Fisheries) was published in the Public Advertiser on 16 Dec.: @"Not sweeter Joy the wond'ring Indian feels,@When his far dazzling Glory Sol reveals@Than warms my heart at this auspicious Sight,@The splendid Audience of this cheerful night."@ Much emphasis on the misery of child-bearing, yet the need for a large population "to a commercial land." Also included was the Epilogue, by Lockman, "Intended for Mrs Hamilton," ending, "May each youth, here, breathe Bevil's gen'rous flame@Each virgin merit Indiana's fame."

Event Comment: This Night by the Crowd upon the upper Gallery Stairs two Women & a Man were Kill'd (Cross). 2 or 3 Persons squeezed to death getting into Drury Lane (Winston MS 8). The Tragedy of the Mourning Bride will be acted at the latter end of this week at Drury Lane, in which Mrs Glen will perform the character of Zara, it being the second time of her appearing on that stage. The reviv'd Comedy of the Gamesters and the tragedy of the Fatal Marriage will be played after the holidays. Receipts: #130 (Cross)

Event Comment: To be Lett. Elegantly Furnish'd, the House of the Late Colley Cibber, Esq: in Berkley Square, the Corner of Bruton Street (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #106 3s. Gave Porters of the several Inns, #3 14s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Authority. Mainpiece: Written by the late C. Cibber, Esq; Poet Laureate. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Nothing under full price can be taken during the whole time of performance. No persons can be admitted behind the scenes. Doors to open at Five and Curtain rise half an hour after Six

Event Comment: By Authority. Mainpiece: Written by the late Aaron Hill

Event Comment: A Free Benefit for Ryan. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late Mr Hughes. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [Ryan had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be The Siege of Damascus and a new Dramatic Satire called The Anniversary, being a Sequel to Lethe. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the Siege of Damascus and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but Ryan judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of Lethe; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."

Event Comment: Benefit for Barrington and Mrs Lampe. No building on stage. Receipts: by income from tickets: Barrington #90 16s. (boxes 142; pit 286; gallery 12); Mrs Lampe, #53 2s. (boxes 52; pit 180; gallery 131) (Account Book). [The original title of afterpiece, a burlesque opera by Henry Carey, was Margery; or, A Worse Plague than the Dragon a sequel to the Dragon of Wantley. The music was advertised as by the late Mr Lampe.

Event Comment: MMr Fleetwood first appear'd--he did Romeo & was receiv'd with great & deserv'd Applause--he is son to our Late Patentee (Cross). Receipts: #200 (Cross); #210 19s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: Benefit for Charles Sarjant, late of Uxbridge, under Misfortunes. Afterpiece not acted this season. Ladies send servants by half after three. Mr Sarjant hopes his friends will favor him with their company tonight, and excuse his not having paid his respects to them in person, having been unhappily confined by the gout

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd by a Daughter of the late Mr Farquhar will be taken. The Farce of The Rout is deferr'd on account of the indisposition of a principal performer. Receipts: #150 (Cross); #133 10s. (Winston MS 8)

Event Comment: LLa Serva Padrona; or, The Servant Mistress announced but cancelled. [This entertainment was advertised as to be given by particular desire, with the addition of a new act, and a new character, as it was performed originally at the Theatre Royal in Naples. Set to music by Pergolesi. With Dancing. The Scenes and Cloaths entirely new. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. The house to be illuminated with wax candles. The whole to be under the direction of Sg Storace and Mr Oswald. Sga Seratina being recovered from her late indisposition to perform this night. Notice, however, on the proposed day of performance appeared in the Public Advertiser: "La Serva Padrona is stopp'd by a particular order of the Lord Chamberlain, but as a great many of the Nobility and Quality are very desirous to see this entertainment, it will be soon presented at another theatre." See 29 March.

Event Comment: By Particular Desire of several Ladies and Gentlemen. 7:30 p.m. 3s. [From later bills it appears that the house was required to desist.

Event Comment: Benefit for Claude Bennet, late of the Haymarket, Wine Merchant

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Hough, late Student of the Temple. Mr Hough, having been bred to the law, takes this liberty to recommend himself to the favour and protection of the several Members thereof, trusting that their Smiles of Friendship will crown his Wishes with Success. No Building on Stage

Event Comment: For one night only. Never acted before. By particular desire. An Historical Play, taken from Holinshead's Chronicles, and written by the late Mr Lillo, Author of George Barnwell. Tickets for Boxes and Pit to be had of Mr Cross, at his House in Crown Court, Russel St., Covent Garden; and of Mr Varney at the Stage Door. 7 P.M

Event Comment: Benefit for the Unhappy Sufferers by the late Dreadful Fire that happened in King Street, Covent Garden. Places for boxes to be taken, and tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant, at the Stage Door of the Theatre; where, if any persons are so charitably disposed as to send more than the price of the ticket, a receipt will be given him to the person who brings it. And the profits arising from such Benefit Play, will be paid into the hands of the Church Wardens of St Paul's, cg, and St Martins in the Fields, to be distributed by them for the purposes intended. And as there has been no interest made for this benefit, more than arose from the Advertisements in the public Play-Bills, it is hop'd the Inhabitants of the above parishes will favour this charity with their personal appearances at the said Theatre this Night. Receipts: #128 13s. in cash plus #42 5s. (169 Box tickets). Total Income #170 18s. Charges #64

Event Comment: Mr Berry dy'd (Cross). Receipts: #170 (Cross). British Chronicle; 8 Jan. 1760. (Winston MS 8): Died Mr Edward Berry in Russel St., Covent Garden, 53 years one of the comedians of tr dl. On this Sunday the body was interr'd in the Cemetery of St Martin's Church. The loss of so worthy a man was expressed by those present. His only daugher is to [....] with the following inscription to his memory, to whom he has left his fortune worth about #1000: @Epitaph@Here lies the remains of@Edward Berry@Who lived@With public applause and private esteem@The former he acquired as@An Excellent Comedian, the latter as an@Honest Man. 8 Jan 1760 Aet 5s.@Light lie the turf, what tho' no breathing Bust@Of mimic Marble dignifie thy dust?@Yet filial sorrow pays the Dudeous Tear@And heartworn Friendship heaves a Sigh sincere.@Pleas'd may thy shade these humble rites receive@The last sad tribute gratitude can give@

Event Comment: Benefit for the Unhappy Sufferers by the late Dreadful Fire in King's Stredt, Covent Garden (playbill). We gave our Night's pay for ye Sufferers by the fire in King's Street Covent Garden Sun: ye 23d. of Dec. (Cross). Sisters diner at Mrs B's. I slept [slipt?] in after the play at Drury Lane & see them in the Gallery, where I had a few words with Mr Williams (Hailey, "Brietzcke Diary," Vol. 197, p. 69). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Was at Drury Lane to see The Desart Island & the Way to Keep Him two new pieces wrote by Mr Murphy, the latter pleas'd me but the first quite the reverse (Hailey, "Brietzcke Diary," Vol. 197, p. 70)

Event Comment: Benefit for Signora Laura Rosa...having sustainedthe loss of her Salary by the late Failure at the Opera House. At Hickford's Room, Brewer St

Event Comment: Last time of performing the mainpiece this season. [See same note on 24 March, also later on 26 May.] Receipts: #95 9s

Event Comment: MMarybone Gardens are now opened, and will be continued every evening during the summer season: There will be a musical performance in the orchestra, and after that an English burletta called La Serva Padrona. The music composed by Pergolesi, wherein Sga Seratina, who is now pretty well recovered of her late illness, and who has met with such universal applause in these performances, will perform the principal part. The doors will be opened at Five, the Music begin at Six, and the Burletta at Eight o'clock. Admittance 1s. The Books of the Burletta to be had at the Bar of the Gardens. N.B. Mr Truster's daughter continues to make the rich seed and plumb cakes so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry, and will be sent to any part of the town at 2s. 6d. each. She likewise makes almond cheesecakes that excels anything of that kind and are hot at One o'clock, and are sold at 21s. per dozen. [This notice repeated in subsequent bills.