Event Comment: With proper scenes, Machines, &c. [This is the Dryden-Davenant version.] Paid G. Garrick balance of his bill #6 13s.; Christmas Box to ye Beadle 3s. 6d.; Mr Norton 5 chorus #1 5s.; Xmas Jury #1 1s.; Mr Madden for an Embroidered Coat and a velvet suit of Cloaths #12 (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published A Dissertation on Comedy (by John Hippisley, Jr) in which the Rise and Progress of that Species of the Drama is particularly considered and deduced from the earliest to the present age. By a Student of Oxford. Printed for T. Lowndes (Gentleman's Magazine, Register of Books). The "Student of Oxford" seems to have been a Garrick apologist in the extreme: "But whatever reason there may have been formerly for this complaint [the immorality of the stage] since Mr Garrick's management the Stage is become the school of manners and morality: Ribaldry and Profaneness are no longer tolerated, Sense and Nature exert their influence; Pantomime daily declines, Dancers are but little encouraged; the Burletta performs to empty benches, and the British can now vie with the Athenian Drama when in its severest state of purity" (p. 15). Also, from the same source, Reflections on that Species of Dramatic Writing which it improperly call'd Serious Comedy: from the French of M Maillet du Boulley.] Receipts: #120 (Cross); #126 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The BM Burney Collection (937. c. 10) contains a receipted bill from T. Lowndes for printing throughout this week: playbills nightly #1 12s. 6d.; 100 half price cards 2s.; 200 half-sheet office accts. 8s., totalling #10 5d.] Receipts: #272 4s. (226.8; 44.12; 1.4)

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; M. ENT 2, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan (also attributed to Richard Tickell). Prologue by Richard Tickell (London Chronicle, 23 Oct.). Text 1st published probably by T. Lowndes, 1795]: To conclude with a perspective Representation of the Grand Camp at Cox-Heathv [near Maidstone, Kent, where a military encampment had been in existence for several months], from a View taken by DeLoutherbourg and executed under his direction. [This was included in all subsequent performances.] With a New Overture and other Music [by Thomas Linley Sen.]. New Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. Account-Book, 16 Oct.: Paid Supernumeraries & Soldiers for Camp #35 5s. 6d. Receipts: #266 0s. 6d. (258.16.0; 6.18.0; 0.6.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Jewell, treasurer. 3rd piece [1st time; F 1, by Richard Paul Jodrell. Text 1st published (with cast for later season) by W. Lowndes and J. Barker, 1786]

Event Comment: [Miss Brown is identified by MS annotation on Kemble playbill. "Notwithstanding the bills...[she acted] the summer before last, on the boards of the Richmond theatre" (Monthly Mirror, Nov. 1798, p. 308). In afterpiece the playbill retains Mrs Roffey as Nelly, but she "who usually performed the part of the Servant Maid, [was] suddenly taken ill; her substitute [was] Miss Tidswell" (Morning Herald, 12 Nov.).] Account-Book: Received of Hammersley & Co., lent to pay the Company #500; paid Lowndes, printer, #10; Chorus #6; Rablus, tallow candles, #10. Receipts: #203 12s. (126.3.6; 76.7.6; 1.1.0)