*p1780 12 29 cg The Suspicious Husband. ^As17801006^, but Strictland (1st time)-Thompson; Tester-Wewitzer; Jacintha-Mrs Lewis; Buckle-_; Simon-_.*a1780 12 29 cg Harlequin Free-Mason. <i>Larpent MS 541</i>, and <i>Universal Magazine</i>, Supp. 1780, pp. 367-68 list the parts: Hiram Abbif-; Master Mason-; Bacchanal-; Skaters-; Masons-; Lawyers-; Harlequin-; Jew-; Colombine-; Fish Women-; Virgins-; <i>Songs</i> ($G. Kearsley=, 1781) lists no parts. <i>Morning Herald</i>, 30 Dec. assigns Dutch Lover-Wewitzer; but no others. For $Reinhold= ^see17810101^.*c1780 12 29 cg Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), by $Charles Dibdin= and $James Messink=; synopsis of plot in <i>London Chronicle</i>, 30 Dec.]: To conclude with a <i>Procession of the principal Grand Masters</i>, from the Creation to the present Century, dressed in the Habits of their respective Ages and Countries. With new Music [by Charles Dibdin], Scenes, Dresses, Pageants, and Decorations. The paintings executed by $Richards=, $Carver=, $Hodgins=, and assistants. Books of the Songs, with an Explanation of the Pageants, to be had at the Theatre. Nothing under full Price will be taken. "To give magnificence a meaning, and unite antiquarian knowledge with polite entertainment, was a task hitherto unattempted by the contrivers of our Pantomime exhibitions. Such praise, however, the acting manager of <i>Covent Garden</i> theatre may justly claim, on the score of <i>Harlequin Free-Mason</i>, which is now representing before greater crowds than perhaps were ever attracted by <i>Perseus and Andromeda</i> [in 1730], the <i>Rape of Proserpine</i> [in 1727], or the celebrated <i>Sorcerer</i> [i.e. <i>The Magician</i>, in 1721]. The beauty of the first scene, in which a setting sun is admirably contrived, the <i>Dutch winter piece</i>, with numberless skate[r]s moving in the most natural attitudes, and, above all, the imperfect building, finished in a moment at the command of <i>Harlequin</i>r, can be exceeded only by the pomp of the historic procession which closes the whole, and offers the richest and most intelligent spectacle that ever yet appeared on an <i>English stage</i>" (<i>Gentleman's Magazine</i>, Feb. 1781, pp. 58-59, which also prints a detailed description of the pageant). Account-Book, 1 Feb.: Paid $Dibdin= for music of Harlequin Free-Mason #70. Receipts: #236 2s. (230.3; 5.19).