Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Afterpiece [written by Mrs Clive]: A new farce partly singing, part speakg. Went off well (Cross). Music by Dr Boyce. Five rows of Pit &c. [Stage arranged as on 10 March. The framework for financial analysis of receipts appears in Treasurer's Book, but the figures are missing. The parts for The Rehearsal, according to the Larpent MS 86, were: Mrs Hazard, Nelly, Tom, Witling, Mr Cross; Miranda-$Miss Norris; Corydon-$Beard; Marcella, Miss Giggle, Sir Albany Odelove, Miss Sidell, Miss Daudle.] Receipts: #240 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Jones. A Serenata. Books of which may be had at the theatre. To begin at twelve o'clock promptly (General Advertiser). To the Publick: Walking in St James's Park the other day, I followed two young Gentlemen along the Mall, and overheard one of them say to the other, "shall we go and offer sacrifice to the Manes of Milton?" To which the other reply'd "with all my heart." I must own I had some curiosity to know in what this ceremony would consist, and determined to observe them. I accordingly followed them at some distance, into Dodsley the Bookseler's in Pall Mall; where to my great satisfaction I found that this most acceptable sacrifice was only an offering of Charity to the Granddaughter of Milton; who on account of her age, her poverty, and her relation to that great Man, is to have a Benefit at Drury Lane Theatre on Wednesday next. I willingly joined in their devotions, and rejoice with the Publick on their having an opportunity of shewing their gratitude and Veneration to a man whose Genius reflects a lustre on the British Literature, and whose sentiments have added strength to the British liberties; to an author whose works have been the delight of our Fathers, and will be the Admiration of our sons: latest posterity; to an Englishman who is not only the Glory of our Country, but the Honour to Human Nature. This fair Opportunity of paying a respect to his Memory (the last of the kind that can be offered to us, as Mrs Foster is the only surviving branch of his family) must certainly be embraced with Eagerness and pleasure; all who have any pretence to an Elegant Taste, all lovers of Liberty, and every friend of the Muses, will surely crowd to the house on this distinguish'd night, and give at once an instance of the politeness of their manners, and the goodness of their hearts, I am, &c. A Lover of Milton (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: This day is publish'd a Guide to the Stage; or Select Instructions and Precedents from the best Authorities towards forming a polite Audience; with some account of the Players, &c. Printed and sold by D. Job, at the Spread Eagle in King St. [An ironical post-Addisonian quip at theatrical behavior]: I boldly enter the lists as the first champion for theatric decorum. The next thing to be consider'd is disapprobation, which I think may be sufficiently shewn, by an attention to something else, by loud discourse, profuse laughter, and the like. I cannot help thinking it a little out of character, for a polite audience to distort their features by a hiss: however for the sake of some ambitious youths, who thus love to signalize themselves, I shall leave a new play to their mercy. They then are at liberty to exercise their several talents whether they hiss or groan most successfully, or have a greater genius for the cat-call. If you desire to know when you are to shew your dislike, my answer is, when anything displeases you, or in fine when you will provided you have a strong party to second you; for the best hiss or groan in the universe may be drown'd in a general applause. [Never laugh at what passes on stage save it be an error, blunder, or accident. In tragic scenes avoid being visibly moved by humming a tune, regarding the audience, engaging in conservation, or turning your back to the stage. When a female social rival calls attention to herself and away from the stage, let fall your handkerchief into the pit, or call out to an acquaintance in the opposite box, or burst into loud and unexpected laughter. You'll know when to applaud, for the actors will tell you.] On these occasions Cato looks more than unusually big, Hamlet stares with great emphasis, Othello has a most languishing aspect, Monimia is all sighs and softness, Beatrice will bridle, and pretty Peggy Wildair leers you into a clap. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: [MS note in hand of Colley Cibber (in R. J. Smith, History of the Stage, Vol. IV. BM 11826r)]: December 25, 1750 Sr. Tho' Death has been cooling his his [sic] heels at my door these three weeks, I have not had time to see him. The Dayly conversation of my friends have kept me so agreeably alive, that I have not passed my time better a great while. If you have a mind to make [?] us, I will order Death to come another day--to be serious I long to see you, and hope you will take the first opportunity. And so wish as merry a Christmas, as many New Years as your heart can hope for, I am Your real friend and Serv't C. Cibber Xmas Day

Event Comment: [Cast taken from 1st edn. The bill merely lists actors and notes "With proper Music, Scenes, and Decorations. Never acted before." It mentions no Prologue or Epilogue.] This Masque was wrote about eleven years ago, by Mr Malet & Mr Thomson, & play'd in the Garden at Clifden before the P. of Wales &c.--Mr Malet has now alter'd it, & it was play'd with great Applause, only some of the Dances, being too long were dislik'd, & some of the Songs had ye same reception (Cross). Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for ye Author, tho' not put so in the Bills (Cross). To the Publick: As Mr Arne originally composed the Music in the Masque of Alfred, and the town may probably on that account imagine the Music, as now perform'd, to he all his production, he is advised by his friends to inform the publick that but two of his songs are in that performance, viz.: the first song beginning O Peace thou fairest child of Heaven; and the Ode in Honour of Great Britain, beginning, When Britain first at Heaven's Command, with the chorus, Rule Britannia, Rule the Waves, &c. which songs he submitted to be mix'd with the productions of others, to oblige the author of the poem. Tho. Aug. Arne (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Havard. Mainpiece: By particular desire. No building on the stage on account of the machinery for the Masque. Tho' Mr Havard's long and severe indisposition has prevented his personal solicitation, yet he hopes it will not deprive him of the preference of those Persons of Quality, &c. who used to favour his Benefits. N.B. Those ladies and gentlemen who applied for places and were disappointed the last time the Masque was performed, may have them for this night, by sending to Mr Hobson at the stage door, by whom tickets will be deliver'd; As also at the Bedford Coffee House, and at Mr Havard's in Broad Court, the upper end of Bow St., Covent Garden. Tickets hitherto deliver'd will be taken. Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hallam. At the New Wells, Lemon St., Goodman's Fields. For one Night only. A Concert &c. By Desire of Several Persons of Distinction. Boxes 3s. Pit or Gallery 2s. (London Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: A Quarrel in ye Green room between old Cibber & Mrs Clive occasioned by his saying, the stage wanted a handsome Woman, &c. (Cross). Receipts: #70 (Cross)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. Mr Ross Castalio --well. Barry & Mrs Cibber, play'd Romeo & Juliet this Night a C. Garden (Cross). [Inspector No 187 appeared with comments on Ross and further ones on Mossop as actors (Daily Advertiser and Literary Gazette).] Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: A new Entertainment in Italian Grotesque Characters. A blunder in the scenes of ye Entertainment & great noise as No more, Off, Off &c. (Cross). [Inspector No 195 appeared giving another favorable accolade to Mossop (Daily Advertiser and Literary Gazette).] Receipts: #120 (Cross)