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 Le
the. Le
the, 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 o
ther; 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 ano
ther. 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."