Event Comment: [Messrs Vincent and Gordon beg the Nobility and Gentry that intend honouring them with their protection the ensuing season of Opera will pay their subscriptions to Messrs Drummonds, Bankers, Charing Cross. The subscription is for 50 nights only. A letter from Timotheus in the Public Advertiser: "I repeatedly see in your paper an advertisement from the managers of the opera to solicit subscriptions from the Nobility and Gentry to enable them to carry it on. Surely, from the specimin they have already given us of their performance in the serious way, never had managers less claim to the countenance and favour of the public. In the whole company but one voice, and that just tolerable and no more; compared indeed to the rest a nightengale. Then, Sir, for their dancers, they seem so perfectly so well suited to the singers, that 't is difficult to pronounce to which of them the palm should be allotted. For the Figurers, one only excepted, they seem in that article to have paid a due attention to their want of every Talent requisite, by reducing them to so small a number that they look like so many mice scudding about an empty barn. In short, Singers, Dancers, Figurers, Cloaths, Decorations, etc., etc., are all so much of a piece, that if the directors either can't or won't engage better performers, the sooner an end is put to the exhibition of Operas the better it will be." See comment in reply, 8 Nov.

Event Comment: Letter from Impartial to the editor of the Public Advertiser: The managers of the Opera most certainly think themselves peculiarly unfortunate in having incurred the disapprobation of your correspondent Timotheus....If...it has been found...that this Demi-critic has given his opinion to the public too precipitately, little regard will be paid to his animadversions, and the managers who, perhaps, will be found to have spared neither trouble or expense, will meet with the support they solicit....The splenetic gentleman, perhaps, resides chiefly in the country, and only came to town to see some Raree Shew, consequently he might never have heard of our justly celebrated Lovattini, Guadagni, Moriggi, and so forth, with whose performances we have been so highly entertained, to whom the Nightengale, as he is pleased to call Giaccomazzi, and Luciani, for the demi-characters in the Comic will make no inconsiderable additions; from hence I conclude, that our Opera entertainments this season will exceed any we have ever had in this country

Event Comment: A Serio-Comic Opera in 2 acts (never performed here [1st performed at Vienna, 1784; and in April 1795 performed at king's under the title of Il Conte Ridocolo]). The Music composed in his best style by Paisiello. Under the direction of Mazzinghi. Fineschi being hardly recovered from his late severe indisposition humbly hopes for the indulgence of the public, whom rather than disappoint, he would run any danger. Gallini, for the last time, most respectfully entreats those few Subscribers who have hitherto delayed of declaring themselves, or sending in the names of their Co-subscribers, to do it immediately, as no one can be admitted without showing the Ticket for this year; and the Boxes not bespoke cannot remain empty after the opening of the House. Tickets to be had, and Subscription paid, as usual, at Messrs Ransom, Morland and Hammersley's, bankers, No. 57, Pall-Mall. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin precisely at 7:00 [see 3 Jan. 1788]. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. "The only Part of the scenery which is interesting is the bridge Rialtov, and this is badly executed; it looks like a pantomimic show, but not like a grand opera scene; the bridge is crowded with figurative passengers, and small gondolas appear beyond it. The first idea is a capital error, for the representation of the bridge is supposed sideways, and being covered with shops, no passengers can be seen; the latter idea of boats being placed beyond the bridge crowds the scene, and makes the bridge lose its grand appearance at a distance...The Managers of the Opera are exceedingly to blame for having substituted a Soprano to a Tenor in the character of Gafforio" (Public Advertiser, 17 Dec.). Receipts: #164 14s. [These receipts, and those on all other nights throughout the opera season, represent the sale of non-subscription tickets. On this night 400 tickets were delivered to Prendergrass, office-keeper at the Haymarket pit entrance; of these he sold 159 at 10s. 6d. (i.e. #83 9s. 6d.). 100 were delivered to Toosey, office-keeper at the King's Door pit entrance; he sold 26 at 10s. 6d. (i.e. #13 13s.). 300 were delivered to Butler, office-keeper of the 1st Gallery; he sold 190 at 5s. (i.e. #47 10s.). 200 were delivered to Snelson, office-keeper of the 2nd Gallery; he sold 118 at 3s. (i.e. #17 10s.). Sale of one box #2 2s. "Difference from Gallery to Pit" (i.e. money received from persons who changed their seats from gallery to pit, 5s. 6d.). The delivery of 1,000 non-subscription tickets to be disposed was almost invariably the case on every night of the season; but see 5 Apr. 1788.

Event Comment: Benefit for Bencraft and Mrs Hale. Mainpiece: Not acted these 9 years. [See 4 Dec. 1740.] N.B.: A parcel of tickets having been lost, none sold at the doors of the theatre will be admitted. Tickets to be had and places taken of Page at the Stage Door of the Theatre. [Inserted in the General Advertiser this day is Buskin's Apology]: @Enur'd to ills of various kinds,@By ancestors undone;@The Author has severely paid@For failings not his own.@From Disappointments Buskin writes,@Confesses 'tis for gain@Yet scorns all profits which arise@From giving others pain.@No private character he sneers,@No venom taints his mind;@His sole ambition is to please,@Not satyrise Mankind.@ On Wednesday last the Tragedy of Othello was acted at Covent Garden towards the relief of the unhappy sufferers by the late Fire; and on Saturday the sum of #218 12s. 4d. was paid into the hands of Messrs Ironside and Belchier; the company of comedians and the band of musick having generously given their performances (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: This farce of Lethe was wrote some years ago and play'd with Success, & was reviv'd this Night with great Alterations, & was but indifferently receiv'd by the Audience (Cross). The Poet, Frenchman, & Sot Mr Garrick perform'd most inimitably (Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 138). No After Money will be taken, and no Persons will be Admitted behind the Scenes (General Advertiser). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #186 7s. (Powel). N.B.: Mr G-k is the author of Lethe and did receive #36 8s. 6d. for this night which is the overplus after the charge of #63 for the House is paid, and which I must subtract from the rest (Powel). [A letter appeared in the General Advertiser this day giving advance notice and approval of a performance of Cato to be put on at Leicester House 7 Jan. by members of the Royal Family. The author noted that "proper Habits are absolutely in the making," and that the Princes would learn the principles of liberty from the lines of the play.

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Musical Entertainment in Two Interludes. The words to be sold at the theatre (General Advertiser). Some Gentlemen crowding behind ye Scenes, ye Audience resented it & ye farce was stop'd for half an hour--I drew lines with chalk, but Miss Norris applying publickly to Capt. Johnson, desiring he wou'd retire, He did & ye farce went on with great Applause. The words of this piece were by Mr Mendez, & set by Dr Boyce (Cross). Added to salary list, Mr Campioni. Paid him for cloaths #21, and for 51 days work, #42 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #142 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Account Book: @Receiv'd of Vincent for Music Forfeits this season #21 11s. 10d.@Rece'v'd for stage forfeits this season #14 4s. 2d.@Receiv'd of Mrs Carne for ends of Candles & Oyl #70 6s. 7d.@Receiv'd of Proprietors of Public Advertiser #50@Receiv'd of Proprietors of Daily Gazetteer #50@Paid Vincent for Music Books #4 5s. 2d.@9 June@Rec'd Assurance on 50 Renter's Old Shares at 4s. 10d. each #12 1s. 8d.@Rec'd Assurance on 50 Renter's New Shares at 2s. 6d. each #6 5s.@15 July@Rec'd of His Majesty by Mr Mathias #40@Rec'd of Madam Schellenbergen by Ditto #9@Total Income 1768-69: #30,759 16s. 2 1!2d.@Total Expense 1768-69: #24,035 8s. 3d.@31 May: Paid Arnold Composer #50 13s.@2 June: Paid Kirkman for tuning #20@

Event Comment: Benefit for Edwin. Mainpiece: By Permission of George Colman, Esq. [the holder of the copyright]. Public Advertiser, 24 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Edwin, No. 19, Piazza, Covent-garden. Receipts: #386 7s., as follows: money taken at the doors was #256.0.6, on which he paid charge of #100.11.6, leaving a balance due him of #155.9.0, which he was paid on 7 Apr.; after money, #4.8.6, was retained by the theatre; he sold 411 box tickets, 83 pit tickets, 107 gallery tickets for #125.18.0, free of charge; his total profit therefore was #281.7.0

Event Comment: The Maid of the Mill [advertised in Public Advertiser, 19 Sept.] is obliged to be deferred on account of the Indisposition of Mrs Crouch. Paid Booth tailor, #4 6s. 6d.; Scenemen #5 4s.; Carpenters #3 16s.; Renters' Income #30 [this last paid daily]. Receipts: #111 8s. 6d. (71.11.0; 39.4.0; 0.13.6)

Event Comment: Rec'd Stopages #18 14s. Paid Salary list--#496 18s. 6d; Mrs Abington on cloaths acct #2; Paid balance of Mr D. Garrick's Night 2nd inst. #118 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #183 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [N.B. Comment in Theatrical Review, 12 Nov., which damns each portrayal save those of the Barrys, and heaps scorn on the afterpiece.] Paid Dr Nares & Mr Cooke's Boys in the Garter 12 nights (11th inst. inclusive) #36; Paid Mr Weston's note to Rd. Rice #4 10s. 9d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #141 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 3 (and see 18 Jan.), by Charles Dibdin, with one scene by Hannah Cowley. Synopsis of action in Public Advertiser, 5 Jan.]: A Speaking Pantomime, in 3 parts. With new overture, airs, duets, chorus, &c. With new Dresses, Scenes [by Richards, Carver, Garvey and Hodgins (Public Advertiser, 2 Jan.)], Machinery and Decorations. The Music entirely new, composed by Dibdin. Nothing under Full Price will be taken. Public Advertiser, 4 Jan. 1779: This Afternoon at Four will be published the Songs in The Touchstone (6d.)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Siddons. Part of the Pit will be laid into the Boxes. To prevent confusion Ladies are desired to send their Servants by half past Four o'clock. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years [acted 15 May 1782]. Afterpiece: Not acted these 5 years [not acted since 25 Mar. 1775]. [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Banquo to Bensley, but "Poor Bensley's illness last night took him off; but on another night he will give and take in the triumph" {Public Advertiser, 4 Feb.). In afterpiece he is assigned to The Guardian. On the Kemble playbill in both cases his name is deleted and MS annotations substitute Hull's.] "Macbeth at Drury-lane will. . . gag the drivellers who, on the failure of Constance [in King John], ventured a sweeping prophecy of condemnation that 'the Siddons never could play Shakespeare.' Would it not have been better to have borrowed Farren, rather than Hull, for Banquo?" (Public Advertiser, 4 Feb.). "'Why,'say some of the critics, 'should Mrs Siddons wear a white dress in her last scene of Lady Macbeth? She is supposed to be asleep, not mad.' What reason except custom can be given for a mad heroine appearing in white we know not [and see DL, 20 Dec. 1782]. Yet there is an obvious reason why a person walking in their sleep should wear a white dress of the loose kind worn by Mrs Siddons ... It [is] the nearest resemblance which theatrical effect will admit, to the common sort of night-dresses" (Public Advertiser, 7 Feb.). Receipts: #346 16s. (198/10/0; 7/2/6; 0/8/6; tickets: 140/15/0) (charge: free)

Event Comment: Benefit fo Ackman and Mrs Bradshaw. House charges #64 4s. [Deficit to actors #24 8s.] Tickets deliver'd for the Comedy and The Plain Dealer will be admitted. Paid Cooper for 6 nights in Cymon #3 3s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #39 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Rose is a New Musical performance of Two Acts by Dr Arne a very dull insipid piece. Mr G. protested against its being perform'd its being perform'd it was hiss'd from the beginning & wd not Suffer it to be given out again, therefore Mr King went on & told them it Should not be perform'd again until it be alter'd (Hopkins Diary). [Macmillan's note from Kemble differs slightly. See critical damnation of The Rose in British Theatre Article in The London Magazine, Dec. 1772.] Book of the Entertainment to be had at the Theatre (playbill). Paid Mr Petit for men's cloaths, #8 8s. CTreasurer's Book). [Reviewer for Town and Country Magazine (Theatre, No. XLI) disappointed with the Rose: "We are told that this precious piece of stuff is the production of an Oxford student; it may be so, of this every auditor is certain, that the collegian who penned it was so entirely lost in the pursuit of some abstruse study, that he has totally forgot grammar, common sense, and even his mother tongue...it was unanimously damn'd."] Receipts: #172 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: For Mainpiece New Scenes, Dresses, Music, Machinery, and Decorations (playbill). This piece was written by Mr G. which he wrote in a hurry & on purpose to Shew Some fine Scenes which were design'd by Mons DeLoutherberg particularly a Burning Palace &c. which was extremely fine & Novel. Mr Weston Play'd very well, The Music by Mr Dibdin. the worst he ever Compos'd. The Piece was very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly in wording.] Paid for supernumary soldiers #1 12s. (Treasurer's Book). [The afterpiece reviewed, but not well liked by the Westminster Magazine.] Receipts: #219 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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: full column letter to the public signed by John Beard appeared in the Public Advertiser announcing his agreement to the half-price demands of the rioters, and excusing himself for not acquiescing with more alacrity on the night of the demand. His excuse was that he was merely manager for other proprietors, and that property interest was involved in the financial sacrifice he was asked to make. He noted further reasons for not immediately giving in to demands of the rioters: Mr Beard had at that time received several anonymous threatening letters and notes concerning many other branches of what they called Reformation. He was ordered by one to add a farce to Love in a Village, or the House should be pulled about his ears. By andther he was commanded to put a stop to the farther representation of that Opera, upon the penalty of enforcing his compliance by a Riot the next night of performance, and very lately received certain information of meetings, which have already been held, and an Association forming to reduce the prices at the Theatre to what they were forty years since, tho' it is notorious the Expence of Theatrical Entertainments are more than doubled. For these reasons he looked upon the Occasion of the present disturbance only as a prelude to future violence; as the first not the last salutation of this extraordinary kind to be expected, and apprehended that too easy an acquiescence might possibly prove rather encouragement than prevention. Nevertheless in gratitude for the many favours and indulgencies received from the Publick, and from an earnest desire to promote that order and decorum so essential in all Public Assemblies, the Proprietors have now jointly authorized Mr Beard to declare that they shall think themselves equally bound with the managers of the other Theatre to an observance of those limitations which they have agreed to." This letter repeated in Public Advertiser, 3 March.

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. The great concourse of people at this theatre before the usual time of opening the doors, having been so great as to overpower the persons who were placed to receive the tickets; and as many were forced into the Theatre without an opportunity of paying for their admittance, Mr Giardini is under the greatest concern lest offence should be taken by those not being able to get in, who had sent for tickets to this office. He has given orders that those tickets shall be admitted tomorrow, as the opera of Siroe (by particular desire) is to be performed (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.). [Pickpockets, including one former soldier, took three diamond earrings, and one hair-ornament set with brilliants, from members of the audience on this night (Daily Advertiser). Found, a new Silver Sword in the Opera House Lobby on S. 21 Jan.; the Owner, by describing the Sword-Knot, may, on applying to the Orange-Woman at the House, have it restored (Daily Advertiser, 24 Jan.).] Lost on going to the Opera a Brilliant Diamond Cross composed of nine brilliants, by Lord Conyngham. Reward of 10 Guineas for Return (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.)

Event Comment: Gift for ye Sufferers by ye fire in Cornhill (Cross). [A column and a half "Letter to the Author" appeared in the General Advertiser this day, laying historical background for Ford's Lover's Melancholy]. The history of the stage before the Restoration is like a Foreign Land, in which no Englishman had ever travelled; we know there were such things as Playhouses, and one Shakespear a great writer, but the historical traces of them are so imperfect, that the manner in which they existed is less known to us, than that of Eschylus or the theatres of Greece. For this reason, 'tis hoped that the following Gleaning of Theatrical History will readily obtain a place in your paper. 'Tis taken from a Pamphlet written in the reign of Charles I, with this quaint title, "Old Ben's Light Heart made heavy by young John's Melancholly Lover"; and as it contains some historical anecdotes and altercations concerning Ben Johnson, Ford, Shakespear, and the Lover's Melancholy it is imagined that a few extracts from it at this juncture, will not be unentertaining to the Public. [The substance of the remainder retails Jonson's critical cantankerousness and his wounded pride at the failure of the New Inn, quoting some epigrams made at Jonson's expense on his allegation that Ford was a plagiary. This second "puff" for the play, presumably also written by Macklin, formed the basis for a Steevens-Malone controversy late in the century, centering on the existence or nonexistence of the pamphlet referred to by Macklin as "Old Ben's Light Heart made Heavy, &c." A summary account of the evidence appears in the Dramatic Works of John Ford, by Henry Weber (Edinburgh, 1811) I, Intro. XVI, XXXI.] Receipts: #210 (Cross); #208 1s. (Powel)

Event Comment: Seventh Day. [Letter from Smart to Dr Hill in Public Advertiser. See Roland Botting, "Smart in London," Research Studies State College of Washington, No. 7 (1939).

Event Comment: Twentieth Day. [No Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: This day publish'd at 3s. Printed on Five sheets of superfine paper, Five Principal Scenes in Romeo and Juliet, designed, drawn, and engraved by Mr Ant. Walker. Printed and sold by John Tinney, at the Golden Lion in Fleet St. The drawing and Engraving of the three following Plays of Shakespeare are in great forwardness, and the scenes of each play will be sold at a time: 1 Henry IV, 2 Henry IV, Merry Wives. These plates will serve for Mr Pope's edition of Shakespeare in quarto, Sir Thomas Hanmer's edn. 6 Vol. quarto, or for any of the Folio editions. And may be framed and glazed for furniture. There will be a few sets neatly coloured for Gentlemen and Ladies who chuse them so (Public Advertiser). [A set of these prints is available in the Folger Shakespeare Library. The Five Principal Scenes were: The scene in Capulet's Housev where Romeo kisses Juliet 's hand; the Balcony Scenev ; the scene in which Friar Lawrence hurries the young couple off to be married; the Apothecary scenev ; and the death scenev . If, as may be, these scenes were taken from--as they were certainly stimulated by--the Barry-Nossiter production, they may present a good likness of Maria Isabella Nossiter, who so captivated London that season. If, also, they were taken from the theatre production, they give evidence that Barry used a balcony, not only a window.

Event Comment: By Command. Prince of Wales, Princess Dowager Prince Ed: & another Girl with. (Cross). A person last Tuesday in the playhouse at Drury Lane, that had some difference with another (whom he don't know) about a seat in the Pit, would be glad of a private conference, to be convinced who was in the fault; the publisher hereof may be seen 'Change at the usual hours every day this week to appoint a place for said conference (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #200 (Cross)