Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5]: By the celebrated
Henry Fielding; and never yet performed or published. With new Scenes, Dresses, &c. [and incidental music by
Michael Arne. Prologue by
David Garrick. Epilogue by the same (see text)].
Public Advertiser, 12 Dec. 1778:
This Day is published
The Fathers (1s. 6d.). "
This play was written by Mr Henry Fielding, some years before his death. Mr Garrick saw it at that time. Mr Fielding gave the
only fair copy he had of it to his friend
Sir Charles Williams, of whose judgment he entertained a high opinion. Sir Charles soon after went abroad, and the comedy was mislaid. Mr. Fielding communicated
this circumstance to his family on his death-bed; and enquiry was made for it, but without effect. At length
Mr Thomas? Johnes, Member for
Cardigan, looking over Sir Charles's books, found a comedy in manuscript, which he read, and, approving, had it transcribed and sent to Mr Garrick for his opinion, who, like
Archimedes, cried out, '
This is the lost sheep!
This is Mr Henry Fielding's play!' Mr Garrick communicating it to Mr Johnes, Mr Johnes immediately sent the original manuscript, which was in Mr Fielding's hand-writing, to the family, with his best wishes for its success, promising to assist it to the utmost of his power" (
Gentleman's Magazine, Dec. 1778, p.586). See also, for corroboration of the above and for other details,
Wilbur L. Cross,
The History of Henry Fielding, 1918, III, 99-104. Receipts: #210 11s. 6d. (186.6.0; 23.19.6; 0.6.0)