Event Comment: The Ode is in D'Urfey, Wit and Mirth, I, 70-71. Gentleman's Journal, January 1691-2, pp. 4-5: On that day [22 Nov.] or the next when it falls on a Sunday, as it did last time, most of the Lovers of Music, whereof many are persons of the first Rank, meet at Stationers-Hall in London, not thro' a Principle of Superstition, but to propagate the advancement of that divine Science. A splendid Entertainment is provided, and before it is always a performance of Music by the best Voices and Hands in Town; the Words, which are always in the Patronesses praise, are set by some of the greatest Masters in Town. This year Dr John Blow, that famous Musician, composed tne Music, and Mr Durfey, whose skill in things of that nature is well enough known, made the Words....Whilst the Company is at Table, the Hautboys and Trumpets play successively. Mr Showers hath taught the latter of late years to sound with all the softness imaginable, they plaid us some flat Tunes, made by Mr Finger, with a general applause, it being a thing formerly though impossible upon the Instrument design'd for a sharp Key

Event Comment: Thomas Shadwell to Earl of Dorset, 19 Jan. 1691@2 (summary): Asks that he will order The Innocent Impostors to be the next new play to be acted. He would have had it acted in Roman Habits and then, with a mantle to have covered her hips, [if] Mrs Barry would have acted the part; but Thomas Davenant has with a great slight turned him off, and says he will trouble himself no more about the Play. Asks Dorset to favour the author and him. Complains of priority being given to Durfey's play and a play by Dryden (HMC, 4th Report, Appendix [1874], pp. 280-81)