Event Comment: Letter from
John Potter, Proprietor of the
New Theatre in the Haymarket, to the author of the
General Advertiser: As the resentment of the Town for the disappointment of the performance advertised to be exhibited at my theatre on Monday last, shall fall entirely upon me, I hope I may be allowed to acquaint the public with the nature of my case. [Suggests he should not be to blame for misbehavior of any person who hired his house, that he had some apprehensions in this case, but that the Bottle Conjurer paid the rent in advance
and agreed to have a House officer in the box office to return the money if the audience was displeased.] All the caution above mentioned was taken,
and the money locked up in the office, guarded by persons of reputation, who would have returned it,
and publicly on the stage told them, that if the person did not appear, their money should be return'd. But instead of complying with that offer, my House was pulled down, the Office broken open, the money taken out,
and the servants oblig'd to fly to save their lives. I hope therefore this may be deem'd a sufficient justification in my behalf,
and all that could be reasonably expected from me;
and that those gentlemen who are conscious of having injured me, will be so generous as to make me a reasonable Satisfaction, considering the damage I have suffer'd, which in a moderate computation will amount to upwards of four thous
and pounds. This day is Publish'd, at 1s.
Lethe, a Dramatic Satire, by
David Garrick as it is perform'd at
Drury Lane. By
Paul Vaillant, facing
Southampton Street in the
Strand. [A letter from
Samuel Foote to the Author of the
General Advertiser clears himself from any imputation of confederacy in the
Bottle Conjuror fraud. See also my Introduction, note 103.] Receipts: #100 (
Cross); #119 2s. 6d. (
Powel)