Event Comment: Benefit Lacy. Afterpiece: A new Satyrical, Allegorical, Political, Philosophical Farce, [Apparently by Lacy.]
Daily Advertiser, 30 April: Yester
day I accidentally call'd in at the Theatre in the
Hay-Market, and saw the Rehearsal of a new Farce call'd
Fame...Which is to be acted there on Wednes
day next...for the Benefit of Mr Lacy the Author. As I am neither acquainted with him, nor the Master of the Playhouse, I cannot be accus'd of Partiality, in affirming, that I think
this the best Farce
this Age has produc'd. It seems to be writ in Imitation of
Shakespear, and entirely calculated for the present Taste. The Characters are strong, lively, majestic, and just; the incidents natural and moving; the Conduct regular; the Distresses extremely affecting; the Stile sublime; the Sentiments grand, full of Patriotism; and the Catastrophe so masterly wrought up, that, I am persuaded, no Farce whatsoever, now acting, will draw more Tears than
this. But what affected me beyond all, was, the Zeal, the exemplary Zeal of a worthy Magistrate, who so strictly adheres to the very Letter of the Law, as to send a rich and honest Merchant, and Freeholder, to the House of Correction, as a sturdy Beggar, or Loiterer. I could enlarg in its Praise, but fear I may do the Author wrong, in raising your Expectations too high. See it, and I am convinc'd you will entertain the same Sentiments of it, as does Your Humble Servant,
James Lacy. Alias
Fustian, alias
Sour-Wit, alias--But hold:--If I should be arraign'd for the Murder of
this Farce, so many Alias's will half condemn me before I am heard