Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser: This day is publish'd at 6d. An Apology to the Town, for Himself and the Bottle. By J. Nick-all. N.B. Mr P- was mistaken in the name. To which is prefix'd an exact representation of the scene of Harlequin's Escape into the Bottlev , introduc'd into the Pantomime of Apollo and Daphne, or the Burgomaster Trick'd, the Character of Harlequin by Mr Phillips. Printed for B. Dickenson, the corner of Bell Savage Inn, Ludgate Hill

Event Comment: This comedy was wrote by Mr Moor, & except ye part of Faddle meet with Universal Applause (ye Author's first play) (Cross). New Scenes and Cloaths (General Advertiser). This C. was written by Moore--it is a good play--it was acted 11 times successively--Garrick's peculiar qualifications and happy use of them, added amazing spirit to the piece, and gave more consequence to Young Belmont than can well be imagined--Macklin, who never had in voice, figure or features much capacity for the fop cast, yet struck out some things in Faddle, that have not been since equalled, particularly in marking the obsequious knave throughout--Barry in the fourth act supported his character with emphatic dignity and in the last with melting tenderness--the part of Rosetta was undoubtedly conceived for Mrs Woffington, and she did it particular justice--the elegance, the notions of love, and the vanity of admiration, which are united in Rosetta, were natural to Mrs Woffington, so that she had the advantage of looking and speaking in her own character--the softness and pathos, which distinguished Fidelia sat with much ease on Mrs Cibber (Dramatic Censor, II, 206). [For contemporary account of plot and discussion of the play, see Gentleman's Magazine Feb. 1748, pp. 51-54; March 1748, pp. 114-17; May 1748, pp. 207-9; June 1748, pp. 257-59. See also G. Stayley, An Answer to an unjust criticism on the Foundling, listed in Register of Books, Gentleman's Magazine, May 1748, p. 240; A Criticism of the Foundling, in a letter to the author, listed in Register of Books, Gentleman's Magazine, March 1748, p. 144. The Larpent MS indicates many revisions. The substitution of Rake for Whoremaster, &c. Some Suggestive passages marked for excision. "The Disapprobation, which the Character of Faddle met with the first Night, made it necessary for me to shorten it in almost every Scene" (Dedication to 1st Edition).] Receipts: #200 (Cross); #200 5s. (Powel)

Event Comment: [In Daily Courant, 8 Dec., The Libertine Destroyed had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Distinction. Afterpiece: Set to Musick by Mr Arne. Love for Love-, which was bespoke for this Day, is deferred on Account of the Indisposition of a principal Comedian. The New Revel Masque will be perform'd the Day after the Wedding

Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 4th Bill #41 6s. 5d.; Spermacetti Candles, #132 18s. Mr Tomlinson for Men's cloaths #11 11s.; Mr J. French on acct #20; Miss Hopkins, 15 nights (19th Dec. incl.) #3 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [The sixth edition of Wm. Law's Absolute Unlawfulness of Stage Representations was published this year (1st. edn. 1726) This day was published the Preliminary Number of the Westminster Magazine, which, monthly, included a section called The English Theatre, which observed generally on the state of the Stage, and commented specifically on new plays. Its view of the stage in general was not as sanguine as had been that of the writer for the Town and Country Magazine (1 April 1772). "We are of opinion, that the English Theatre is now in its decline. Whether it is that the stores of Dramatic Subjects or of Dramatic Genius are exhausted, is not immediately obvious; but there is a fault somewhere....We have seen the Morning star of Wit--the Noon too is past; we have now arriv'd at its evening...There is in Arts, as in Empires, a progress which leads to Refinement; and this refinement leads to Ruin." According to the writer the meridian glory of the English stage was during the reign of Queen Anne. Reviewer damns the Irish Widow, refuses to discuss the Gamesters (revived), damns the Rose and praises the Garrick alteration of Hamlet. This year also appeard Granny's Prediction, a 53-page pamphlet attack on Mrs Barry, condemning her on moral grounds (polygamy) and on aesthetic grounds, commenting on each of her characters. By a spiteful female relative Elizabeth Franchetti.] Receipts: #142 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Johnstone. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2, by Thomas Knight; incidental music by William Reeve]: Partly taken from The Committee [by Sir Robert Howard]. Morning Herald, 21 June 1797: This Day is published [by G. Cawthorn] The Honest Thieves (1s.). True Briton, 25 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Johnstone, No. 19, Piazza, Covent-Garden. Receipts: #434 7s. 6d. (210.4.0; 11.18.0; tickets: 212.5.6)

Event Comment: Benefit Barlow. [Prices change to 3s., 2s., 1s. and repeated in bills in Daily Advertiser until 14 Jan.

Event Comment: Gentleman's Journal, November 16@2: In my first Journal I gave you a large account of the Musick Feast on St Cecilia's day; So, to avoid repetitions, I shall onely tell you that the last was no ways inferiour to the former....The following Ode was admirably set to Music by Mr Henry Purcell and perform'd twice with universal applause, particularly the second Stanza, which was sung with incredible Graces by Mr Purcell himself. [See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, VIII, and Orpheus Britannicus, 1702, 1706, 1711. The Ode appears to have been written by Nicholas Brady.

Event Comment: The Lord Mayor's Day pageants

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Santlow. The tickets given out for She Would and She Would Not taken on this day

Event Comment: See Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb., for a letter from Colley Cibber to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court. Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb.: Whereas it is agreed on between several Gentlemen, to erect a New Theatre for the exhibiting of Plays, Farces, Pantomime, &c. all such Persons as are willing to undertake the said Building, are desir'd to bring their Plans for the same by the 2d of May next ensuing, in order to be laid before the said Gentlemen, the Time and Place of which Meeting will be advertis'd in this Paper on the last of April. Proportions of the Ground: The North Side 120 Feet; the West, square with the North, 130 Feet; the South 110 Feet; and the East on a Bevil, joining the Parallel. Note, There must be a Passage left to go round the Building, and the Stages to be 30 Feet wide at the First Scene; the Distance between Wall and Wall 80 Feet; and the Scene-Rooms, Green and Dressing Rooms, to be on the outside of the last mention'd Measure. The Stage to be either North or South

Event Comment: At Phillips's Great Theatrical Booth opposite Cow Lane. With the surprising performances of an Englishman and a Citizen of London [Lort] who performs all the Equilibres on the Slack Rope that were performed by the muchfamed Turk. Prices: 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d., 1s., 6d. To begin at Twelve. [Time and prices the same at all booths.] Afterpiece: With the Escape of Harlequin into a Glass Bottle, also the last new additional Scene of Sig Jumpedo Jumping Down his own Throat. [An unhappy evening, for "last night the gallery of Phillips' booth fell down, with a great number of people in it, by which accident several persons were hurt, and some dangerously. This misfortune could be owing to nothing but the carelessness of the workmen, who upon such occasions deserve to be severely punished" (General Advertiser, 24 Aug.). The Daily Advertiser noted that Mr Stringellow, a goldsmith, in Aldersgate St., and Thomas Hodges, a journeyman-plaisterer in Golden Lane, were killed.

Event Comment: According to Robert Withington (English Pageantry, An Historical Outline, Cambridge, Mass., 1918, I, 242n), the expense of the entertainment came to #7888 2s. 6d. (See also Pepys, Diary, and other accounts.) The Diurnal of Thomas Rugg, ed. Sachse, pp. 98-99: A lane [was] made in the Citty, made by the livery men of several companyes; and many pageants in the streets...Att Cheap sid his Majesty beheld a famous pagien, and staid there for som littl space, where were speeches made by the lady paganetts. Evelyn, Diary: I saw his Majestie go with as much pompe & splendor as any Earthly prince could do to the greate Citty feast...but the exceeding raine which fell all that day, much eclips'd its luster:...the streets adorn'd with Pageants &c: at immense cost

Event Comment: These pamphlets were printed in 1661. For further details of the affairs of the day, see Rugg's Diurnal, ed. Sachse, p. 175. See also Pepys

Event Comment: The Te Deum and Jubilate, For Voices and Instrumentals, Made for St Cecilia's Day, 1694, was published in 1697. The music was composed by Henry Purcell. See also 9 Dec. 1694

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not precisely known, but the opera was in preparation on 15 June 1697. In addition, it was advertised in the Post Boy, 22-24 June 1697, that it would be published on 25 June 1697. As it was occasionally the custom of the theatres to have copies of operatic pieces available at the theatre for a performance, it is possible that the premiere occurred at the end of the week of 21-26 June 1697. Furthermore, a certain performance on 1 July 1697, a benefit for the "Undertaker" of it, probably the third performance, similarly suggests a premiere a few days earlier

Event Comment: Being St. Cecilia's Day. Boxes half a guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. 6 p.m. Particular Care has been taken to have the House well-aired; and the Passage from the Fields to the House will be cover'd for better Conveniency

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Jordan. [In mainpiece the playbill retains King as Sir Peter Teazle, but "Murray, on account of the indisposition of King, was the Sir Peter to Mrs Jordan's Lady Teazle" (Monthly Mirror, May 1797, p. 311).] Tickets delivered for the 15th [for which day the benefit was first announced] will be admitted. "On the whole, Mrs Jordan's Lady Teazle, if not excellent, was respectable; and at a time when it was thought that it would be impossible to personify her Ladyship [i.e. after the retirement of Miss Farren], Mrs Jordan is commendable in having endeavoured it...[Sir Peter] was a part well suited to Murray, who excels in the still and the pathetic...In the screen scene his mirth in revealing to Charles the story of the French milliner, and his amazement the moment after when Charles, throwing down the screen, presented that milliner in the shape of Lady Teazle, must confirm the reputation of Murray. 'Lady Teazle!' (exclaimed he, turning from her towards the door, and in an accent alarmingly impressive), 'Lady Teazle, by all that is damnable!" (Monthly Visitor, June 1797, pp. 531-32). True Briton, 6 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Jordan, No. 14, Somerset-street, Portman-square. Receipts: #550 3s. (232.4.0; 72.2.0; 7.10.6; tickets: 238.6.6) (charge: free)

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. A New Oratorio in English. Composed by Mr Handel. And to be perform'd by a great Number of the best Voices and Instruments. The House to be fitted up and illuminated in a new and particular manner. Tickets One Guinea. Gallery Half a Guinea. [Text by Samuel Humphreys. Their Majesties, Prince, and three eldest Princesses present.] Daily Advertiser, 20 March: An Entertainment, perhaps, the most magnificent that has ever been exhibited on an English Theatre....The Composition of the Musick is by no means inferior to the most finish'd of that Gentleman's Works; but the Disposition of the Performers was in a Taste beyond what has been attempted. There was a very great Number of Instruments by the best Hands, and such as would properly accompany three Organs. The Pit and Orchestre were cover'd as at an Assembly, and the whole House Illuminated in a new and most beautiful manner. [See also Lady A. Irwin to Lord Carlisle, in Deutsch, Handel, pp. 309-10.

Event Comment: Benefit the Author. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quailty. Mainpiece: Written by the Author of the Man of Taste. Founded on Shakespear's Much Ado About Nothing. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of the Toy Shop. Daily Advertiser, 14 March: We hear that there was not the least Disturbance from the Footmen at the Playhouse all last Week; and there is such a sufficient Guard order'd, as well as a Civil Power appointed, that there's no Apprehension of any in the future: Besides, we are glad to hear that the Quality and Gentry are resolv'd in general to discard any Servants that should be known to attempt it, and to give them up to the Rigour of the Law. [For Occasional Prompter XXV (on the lethargy of managers), see Daily Journal, 14 March.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Butler. [Tickets at Mrs Elizabeth Butler's Leicester Fields. See Daily Advertiser, 18 April for verses spoken by Mrs Butler on this night.

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies. Benefit the Office-Keeper. [The entertainments are listed in Daily Advertiser, 27 April.

Event Comment: Never before acted [by William Havard, who inserted a long advertisement in the Daily Post with quotations from Roman history and the comment: thus much I think is necessary to be known by everybody who designs to see the play.] Last night the Tragedy of Regulus was perform'd...to a numerous and polite Audience, and met with great Applause.-London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 22 Feb