Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Greville. Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 11s. Receipts: #136 13s. Charges: #74 17s. 6d. Profits to Greville: #61 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Wheeler and Jacobs. Tickets deliver'd by Kear and Mrs Marklew will be taken. Doors open by 5 o'clock. Play to begin at 6 o'clock. Paid Chorus this night #1 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #228 13s. 6d. Charges: #74 14s. Profits to beneficiaries #153 18s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With a New Medley Overture of Favourite Sea-Tunes. Paid Housekeeper's Bill #3 10s. 5d.; Properties #1 8s. 11d.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #3 6s.; Printer's Bill #18 4s. (Treasurer's Book). [These four items are weekly constants with averages and totals as follows. No further mention of them will be made except in unusual cases.] Receipts: #228 6s. (Treasurer's Book). @Item Weekly Average Total Season Payment@Housekeeper's Bill #5 10s. #203 10s.@Properties #1 5s. #55 10s.@Chorus #4 10s. #203 10s.@Printing #9 6s. #347 4s.

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but it was very likely this day. Writing on 12 May 1688, Peregrine Bertie states that it had been acted nine days successively. If the ninth performance fell on Friday 12 May, the premiere probably occurred on Wednesday 3 May. The Prologue and Epilogue, printed separately, are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 261-63. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 41): This Play by its Excellent Acting, being often Honour's with the presence of Chancellor Jeffereies, and other great Persons had an Uninterrupted run of 13 Days together. Note, The Poet receided for his third Day in the House in Drury Lane at single Prizes 130 l. which was the greatest Receipt they ever had at that House at single Prizes. Dedication, Edition of 1688: This, I must confess, made me hope for success upon the Stage, which it met with, but so great, as was above my expectation (in this Age which has run mad after Farces) no Comedy, for these many years, having fill'd the Theatre so long together: And I had the great Honour to find so many Friends, that the House was never so full since it was built, as upon the third day of this Play; and vast numbers went away, that could not be admitted. For Leigh as Belfond Sr, see Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 147-48; and for Underhill as Lolpoop, I, 154-55. For further comment upon the play, see 12 May 1688

Event Comment: Both pieces By Comaand. 5th time (Treasurer's Book). Paid Mr Loutherbourg on Acct #41 13s. 4d.; 2 Bills for gauze &c. for Mrs Robinson #12 2s. 6d.; Mr Griffith on note #15 15s.; Properties 19s. 3d.; Housekeeper's Bill #11 19s. 6d. Receipts: #261 8s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Ranger-Paid $Mr Barthelemon">Mr Vernon-much Applause (Hopkins Diary). Benefit for Vernon. Paid $Mr Barthelemon for composing The Election &c. #30; Gratuity to Ralph Harwood #5 5s. Receipts: #196 18s. 6d. Charges: #67 4s. Profit to Vernon: #129 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Account-Book, 29 Mar.: Received from Ashley Oratorio Rent #52 10s. [this amount paid for each of the 11 nights of the oratorio season, being a total of #577 10s.)

Event Comment: Benefit of a Public Charity. [The Lock Hospital?] To begin at 7:00 p.m. A great many Tickets having been lost by Accident, no Person can be admitted but by paying ready Money at the Door. Connection denied by Thos. Stamford, Secretary to the Lock Hospital: Whereas a Ridotto has been publicly advertised for the benefit of a "public charity," and tickets for the same sent to several governors of this charity, by which they and many others have been induced to suppose that the benefit was intended for this hospital; the Governors of this charity think it incumbent on them to inform the Public, that the same is NOT intended for the benefit of this Hospital (which has ever applied to the benevolence of the Town under the title of Public Charity), nor do they know for what charity the same is meant. By order of the Board (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: A New Oratorio. Tickets will be deliver'd to subscribers (on paying their Subscription money), this day, and every day following at Mr Handel's in Brook Street, near Hanover Square. Attendance will be given from 9 o'clock in the Morning till Three in the Afternoon. Pit and Boxes to be put together and no persons to be admitted without tickets, which will be deliver'd that day at the Office in Covent Garden Theatre, at Half a Guinea each, First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. N.B. Each subscriber is to pay Six Guineas upon taking out his subscription ticket, which entitles him to three Box tickets every night of Mr Handel's first six performances in Lent; and if Mr. Handel should have any more performances after his first six nights, each subscriber may continue on the same conditions. The Gallery will be open'd at Four O'Clock. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at Six o'clock. [These notices concerning price, subscription, and time of performance recur regularly, but will not be recorded further here.

Event Comment: This night [see Public Advertiser 13 Jan.] about the middle of the play at Covent Garden, a Gentleman who sat in one of the gallery boxes, ask'd another who sat next him if he could lend him a knife; on being told he could not, the former pull'd out a small pen-knife and stabb'd himself; which occasioned some commotion in that part of the house; he was immediately carried to the Shakespeare's Head, and Mr Baker the surgeon dress'd the wound, which the gentleman suffer'd with great constraint; He would not tell who he was, nor what was the cause of this rash action

Event Comment: Full Prices. Afterpiece with a New Scene of a Fountain introduc'd. [See Cross's note for dl 14 Dec. 1752.] [Harlequin Sorcerer] With the loves of Pluto and Proserpine. The scenes painted by Mr Lambert. As any obstruction in the movements of the Machinery will greatly prejudice the performance, it is hoped no persons will be displeased at their not being admitted behind the scenes (Public Advertiser). [Nonadmittance note repeated.

Event Comment: On Tuesday next a New Tragedy called Philoclea. On Monday 28 January will be a Benefit for Sga Nicolina Giordani, A comic Opera with dances. Tickets and places for the Boxes may be had at Sg Giordani's Lodging, at Mr Milbourn's Grocer, in James St. Covent Garden. To the Young Gentlewoman who has performed Hermione [see 19 Jan.]: @Great was th' Applause you met, great your desert,@You charm'd the Eye, the Ear, the Head, the Heart.@Amaz'd we saw you at the first appear,@Ev'n in the hardest part, a perfect play'r.@Your person, your deportment set to view,@The youthful princess that the poet drew.@All was propriety, and all was grace,@We read the author's meaning in your face.@Your elocution was both just and strong,@Mix'd with due ease, and not an accent wrong,@Such varied Musick in your voice we heard,@That in the Tones both Taste and Sense appear'd.@Love, Jealousy, and Rage so well expres't@Engag'd our souls, nor knew we which was best,@'Twas Nature all-she form'd you for the stage,@Follow her steps, and glad th' Admiring Age.-Public Advertiser@

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire and for the last time this season (Public Advertiser). For Miss Macklin's benefit. Ye farce of ye two Knights was to have done, but Mr Yates not being perfect it was chang'd (Cross). Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Event Comment: [The Public Advertiser for 15 Feb. noted the following concerning this night's performance: Whereas several complaints, by letter and otherwise, have been lately made to the Managers of Drury Lane Theatre, of the ill Behavior of some persons in the Upper Gallery, who throw down Apples, Potatoes, and other things into the Pit.: This is therefore to assure the Ladies and Gentlemen that the Managers will take all imaginable care to discover and prosecute any person or persons, who shall, disturb, or insult them for the future. If any person will discover who it was that flung a hard piece of cheese, of near half a Pound Weight, from one of the Galleries last Tuesday Night [11 Feb.] and greatly hurt a young Lady in the Pit, shall receive Ten Guineas from Mr Pritchard, the Treasurer of the Theatre."] Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Havard (Cross). Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. Tickets of Havard at his house in Broad Court, Bow St., Covent Garden, and at the Bedford Coffee House and the Stage Door. [The Public Advertiser lists Old Knowell this night as Berry.] Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: [M+Mercury Harlequin seems to have been the afterpiece. The Public Advertiser carried the following notice under news from London: "Mr Garrick was prevented from appearing in the character of Chamont last night, by a sudden and violent Indisposition, but we hear that he is better, tho' not quite free from pain."] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: TThe Knights, publish'd 4 April, at 1s. A Comedy in Two Acts as it is perform'd at Drury Lane. By Mr Foote (Public Advertiser). Passion Week (Cross)

Event Comment: [Benefit] for a Gentlewoman under Misfortunes (Cross). Tickets to be had fo Mrs Powell, at the Golden Leg in Fleet St.; at the Turk's Head Coffee-House in New Bond St.; and of Mr Varney at the theatre, where places in the Boxes may be taken (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Smith. Mainpiece: not acted these 4 years. No building on stage. Receipts: #60 12s. 6d. plus tickets #222 5s. (boxes 458; pit 605; gallery 170). Charges #63. Mr Robt. Lewis came in for 1 share (Account Book). [Smith advertised, and it appeared his house at his benefit was too full & [there was] confusion in getting to places (Winston MS 8). See Smith's note in Public Advertiser, 16 March.

Event Comment: Benefit for Sparks. Receipts: #83 2s. 6d. plus Tickets #184 12s. (boxes 335; pit 551; gallery 182). Advanced Mrs Bellamy on her salary #105. Two new Renters came in at 1 share each: Sir Thomas Robinson and Robert Hassell (Account Book). Mr Smith takes this earliest opportunity to return thanks the Ladies and Gentlemen who honoured him with their presence at his Benefit on Tuesday Night, and is very sorry for any interruption that might happen in the performance. The indulgence of his friends that night far exceeded his most sanguine exceptations; otherwise he should have provided proper accomodations for them on the stage (Public Advertiser). [See Theatrical Review, 1757 and Beginning of 1758, for contemporary comment on mainpiece: "It is not paying it a very great, much less an underserved compliment to give it the preference over all the dramatic pieces that have been presented at either house these six or seven years...Tears were the first praises I gave it...no play except Lear ever make such a strong constant impression on my feelings."

Event Comment: On 21 March died of a Consumption, at Somerset House, Mrs George Garrick, wife of Mr George Garrick, a Lady in whom was united every amiable quality (Public Advertiser, 22 March.)

Event Comment: A Free Benefit for Ryan. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 3 April 1756.] Written by the late Mr Hughes. [For Afterpiece, see note.] Receipts: Door, #87 7s. Tickets #121 17s. (boxes 267; pit 286; gallery 122). (Account Book). [Ryan had advertised his benefit on 15 March to be The Siege of Damascus and a new Dramatic Satire called The Anniversary, being a Sequel to Lethe. On 16 March the following letter appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Upon reading Ryan's advertisement of a New Dramatic Satire, I was extremely pleas'd with a Description of the motive that occasioned it. He being last week at dinner with a set of particular friends, they inquired what Play and Farce he had chose this year for his Benefit. He inform'd them the Siege of Damascus and Lethe. Lethe, replied a Gentleman is very pleasing, but your friends have seen it, and you must fall into the fashion of having a new additional Scene; for a little bit of novelty may give assistance to its merit, and prove to your advantage. Why, then, said a facetious Gentleman, who sat very near him, Pray sir, do you write him one; 'twill cost you little trouble, and, you know, you are very capable. No more capable than yourself, Good Sir, answered the other; but to show I am full as willing, if you'll attempt to please his friends with one, upon my word I'll use my best endeavor to do the same, in writing of another. We need not fear Severity, for none will blame a friendly inclination to serve a man, who, I believe everyone wishes well. "Twas agreed, but Ryan judiciously observed, 'twould be a shame that two Gentlemen, each capable of writing to give an audience satisfaction, should condescend to make mere Lacqueys of their pens, and send them forth to hold the tail of Lethe; therefore if they should once begin, let them each write only one Hour longer, and they might raise a Structure of their own. They kindly undertook it, and in a Week sent him the piece he has now advertised."

Event Comment: There are Places inclosed for the Ladies to sit, and it is humbly hoped that the Gentlemen will not be offended, as it is impossible to accommodate everyone with Seats. To begin at Six. Public Advertiser, 12 and 13 June: Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold distinguished themselves beyond expectation and the Company was pleas'd to say that Sga Seratina was in no way inferior to the famous Spiletta. Performed before a very genteel and numerous audience with great applause. It will continue to be performed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Event Comment: As 11 Aug., but: Mr Trufler's daughter continues to make the Rich Seed and Plomb cakes, so much admired by the Nobility and Gentry. They are made in a square Form, and will cut out in as large Slices as those of four Times the price. they are always kept ready made, and will be sent to any Part of the Town when bespoke, at Half a Crown each. [The piece was not advertised for 15. Aug. in the Public Advertiser.

Event Comment: [Not listed in Public Advertiser, but notice of continuation at admission price of 1s. is given.] Before the performance Sga Seratina and Mr Reinhold and others will sing several new songs