Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Command of their Majesties. This Comedy is reviv'd with great Alterations by Mr G. by particular desire of the Queen. The play went off vastly well Mr G. Play'd with great Spirit & much Applauded the Alterations are vastly lik'd it will now be a living Play (Hopkins Diary). Doors open half past five. Play to begin promptly at six. House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #156 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Champness and Mrs Scott. House Charges #69 14s. 6d. Profits to Champness and Mrs Scott #55 2s. 6d. Receipts: #124 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Ackman. Tickets to be had at Pond's in the Great Piazza, Covent Garden; and of Mr Johnston, at the Theatre. House charges #84. Profit to Ackman #123 10s.; Paid Mr Davies's note to Liddell, #3 3s.; Paid extra Flute and Hautboy 10s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s. Receipts: #207 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (box-book and house-keeper). Tickets deliver'd out for The Miser will be taken. Charges #98 19s. Deficit to Sarjant #9 11s. 6d., cover'd by tickets: #156 3s. for (Box 414; Pit 311; Gallery 60) (Account Book). Receipts: #78 7s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede, Hollingsworth and Master Jones. Tickets deliver'd by Abbot, Wilkinson, Mrs Woolley, Pilford, T. Ansell, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Trott, Sherrat, Whately, Doe, Mrs Paddick, Claridge, and Curteen will be taken. [No charges. House took half value of tickets plus ready receipts of #20 10s.] Receipts: #20 10s. (Account Book). @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 29 47 42 #18 10s. #9 5s.@Hollingsworth 3 6 17 #3 7s. #1 13s. 6d.@Mrs Jones - - - - -@Abbott 17 71 79 #22 16s. #11 8s.@Wilkinson 27 34 1 #11 19s. #5 19s. 6d.@Mrs Woolley 12 44 56 #15 4s. #7 12s.@Pilfold 36 249 93 #55 13s. #27 16s. 6d.@Ansell 11 58 60 #17 9s. #8 14s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 37 44 24 #18 5s. #9 2s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 17 3 6 #5 6s. #2 13s.@Sharratt - 21 15 #4 13s. #2 6s. 6d.@Whatley - 9 35 #4 17s. #2 8s. 6d.@Doe 2 27 41 #8 13s. #4 6s. 6d.@Mrs Paddick 5 14 18 #5 3s. #2 11s. 6d.@Claridge 7 27 29 #8 14s. #4 7s.@Curteen 30 28 60 #17 14s. #8 17s.@Total 233 682 576 #218 3s. #109 1s. 6d.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hartle, Mas. Blurton, Walters, Symonds, Francis, and Furkins. Tickets deliver'd by Flight, Longley, Singleton, Shuter, Norbury, Roberts, Frensdorff, Miller, Stevenson, Reed, Robson, and Walker, will be taken. On Monday next (the thirteenth Night) the last New Comedy She Stoops to Conquor...with Harlequin Sorcerer. [No charges. House took half-value of tickets, plus ready-money receipts of #19 2s. 6d. (Account Book).] @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Mrs Hartle .. .. .. .. ..@Mas. Blurton 5 11 36 #6 10s. #3 5s.@Walters 5 78 92 #22 3s. #11 1s. 6d.@Symonds 9 68 51 #17 11s. #8 15s. 6d.@Francis 3 33 38 #9 10s. #4 15s.@Furkins 18 45 30 #14 5s. #7 2s. 6d.@Flight .. 41 65 #12 13s. #6 6s. 6d.@Longley 9 156 57 #31 7s. #15 13s. 6d.@Singleton .. 6 14 #2 6s. #1 3s.@Shuter .. 55 16 #9 17s. #4 18s. 6d.@Norbury 10 12 19 #26 4s. #3 2s.@Roberts 6 134 48 #26 8s. #13 4s.@Frensdorf 3 44 19 #9 5s. #4 12s. 6d.@Miller 7 87 84 #18 14s. #9 7s.@Stephenson 12 74 71 #21 4s. #10 12s.@Mrs Read 5 16 37 #7 7s. #3 13s. 6d.@Robson 3 88 35 #17 9s. #8 14s. 6d.@Walker .. 34 61 #11 4s. #5 12s.@Total 95 882 773 #243 17s. #121 18s. 6d.

Event Comment: The proprietors of the Opera House think it is their duty to lay before the Nobility and Gentry to whose patronage they are highly endebted a list of the engagements made for the ensuing season. [No attention or expense spared to make the operas brilliant. Gordon spent two months in Italy, and made two trips to Paris to select the best singers and dancers.] The ill health of Sg Carabaldi having prevented his setting out in time and made it impossible for him to be here at the opening of the theatre. Sg Scheroli, the Tenor who has played the first Buffo with the greatest reputation in Italy, has kindly undertaken to play the part until his arrival. Company: Serious Opera-Millico, Mrs Davies, Scheroli (Tenor), Sga Galli, Sga Lodi. Comic Opera-Carabaldi, Scheroli, Sga Marchetti, Sga Galli, Fochetti, Sga Lodi, Sga Gardi. Poet-Sg Badini. Master of the Dances-Petro. Principal Dancers-Fierville, Pico, Vicenzo Lorenzo, Bocchini, Mariottini, Sga Mimi Faviere, Sga Mazzoni, Sga Nina Faviere, Colomba (from Milan), Mr Canter. Book-Boxkeeper-Yates. [Requests nobility and subscribers to pay up their subscriptions.

Event Comment: Paid Mrs Rich andCo. one year's rent for House in Bow Passage due Mich. last #40. Receipts: #140 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy [by William Kenrick] never performed before. [The play failed to succeed. Kenrick accounts for the failure in his Preface to the 1773 edition by reference to the Macklin affair (See 23 Oct., 30 Oct. and 18 Nov.) He quotes from the Public Advertiser (22 Nov.): "On Saturday last a new comedy called the Duellist was performed, for the first time, at Covent Garden Theatre. Previous to the curtain being drawn up, the following written handbill was dispersed about the house. 'Mr Macklin has been pursued by a malicious party to such a pitch of rancour, that at last they have succeeded so far in their cursed designs, as to get him discharged this theatre, and thereby have deprived him of the means of a livelihood; therefore if the public have any spirit, they will not suffer the new play to begin till Mr Colman promises that Mr Macklin shall be engaged again.' This handbill found its way into the green-room, and had a very visible effect on the performers, as was plainly evident from their confusion. The piece was received with great marks of approbation, and given out again for Monday, which was attended with some hissing, but that was greatly overpowered by the general applause of the audience. The overture to Thomas and Sally being attended to with silence, the greatest part of the author's friends quitted the theatre; which being taken advantage of by a party in the gallery, a riot ensued, and the entertainment was not suffered to go on till another play was given out for Monday." Kenrick agrees with this account, then analyses several other objections which he dismisses, to wit, in the play (a) too lengthy a satire on lawyers, (b) an indelicate passage in Latin (omitted from the printed version); in the audience, a conspiracy of Garrick and Bickerstaffe against him; and lack of a claque of his own friends to carry through their suport of him. Macklin's name appears on the playroll this night, but only for a accumulated 4 days of pay #8 16s. (Account Book).] Receipts: #221 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Receipts: #86 (Account Book). Charges #81 15s. Profit to Society #4 5s., plus #106 17s. from tickets (Box 242; Pit 309) (Account Book). Benefit for Use of the Society at the Thatched-House Tavern For the release and discharge of persons imprisoned for small debts. [The Epilogue was written by Cumberland. (See Folger Library Theatrical Clippings). The Curtain rises and discovers a prison; at some distance a woman, poorly habited, and in a disconsolate attitude; after standing some time montionless, in a posture of fixed attention she speaks]: @Woman: Thou loathsome dungeon in whose dreary womb@The pining Debtor finds a living tomb;@Where 'midst the Clank of Chains and Dismal yells@Of shakled felons my sad husband dwells;@From his dark cell, oh give him to my view!@Let him look forth and take a last adieu.@ [As she advances towards the prison, a person in Gentleman's apparel accosts her.] @Man: Stay, Child of Sorrow, thou whose piercing groans@Might move to pity e'en these senseless stones.@Why dost thou bend thy melancholy way@To that Drear Dungeon? Child of Sorrow stay.@Woman: Why should I stay, or my sad Griefs impart?@Can there be pity in a Human heart?@Away and let me die.@ [...The Man suggests a Human heart can have pity] @Woman: If there be such, O lead me to their sight,@And let me plead a wretched sufferer's right:@Can there be Truth, Humanity or Sense@In laws that make Misfortune an offence?@ [Her husband was a God-fearing weaver who fell ill for 10 weeks, lost his job and was seized upon by a relentless creditor.] @Steel'd to their trade, and deaf to all our cries,@Relentless ruffians seize their legal prize;@From my fond arms a dying Husband tear@And plunge their victims in a dungeon there!@Man: Enough! go speak the healing words of peace@To thy sad mate, and bear him this release;@Tell him the Muse, which on these Scenes attend@That balsam to his wounded spirit sends.@And Know this Truth thyself, 'tis not alone@The Preacher's pulpit and the Monarch's throne@That Charity frequents; but in this age,@She guides the Theatre and treads the stage;@Lo! She is present, cast your eyes around,@And here in each Spectator's heart she's found.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Catley, being the last time, but one, of her performing this season. Box, Pit and Gallery Tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. Charges #65 6s. Profit to Miss Catley #136 5s.; plus #67 11s. from tickets (Box 232; Pit 49; Gallery 22). Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s., Watch rate #14 11s. 8d., and half year's paving rate due Mich. last #26 5s. Paid Recor's rate (one year's due Xmas last) for House in Bow Passage, 6s. 3d, and watch rate for ditto 10s. 8d. Receipts: #201 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid for 2 extra Flutes & Guitars (29 ultimo incl.) #2 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published Bell's edition of Shakespeare's acting plays, 'as performed at the Theatres Royal in London, requlated from the Prompt Books of each House, by permission of the managers, with notes critical and illustrative by the author of the Dramatic Censors, 5 vols. 12 mo. Price 15s."] Receipts: #246 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Daigueville, late Ballet-Master, and First Dancer, at Drury Lane Playhouse begs leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he continues to teach the Minuet, Louvre, Cotillions, Allemande, Minuet Dauphine, Country Dances, &c. at his house in King-Square Court, Dean St. Soho. Receipts: #251 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Eighth time (Treasurer's Book). For benefit of House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #249 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid present to Messrs Younger & Kennedy [burnt out] #21 (Treasurer's Book). [See further payments to Kennedy 25 May. See also cg 12 May. An account of the fire given in Westminster Magazine, May 1774, p. 267: Mr and Mrs Kennedy who directed the company of performers at Richmond last summer were upon a visit to Mr Younger." Kennedy and Younger escaped, but Mrs Kennedy and a young friend, who had been reading in bed and who had fallen asleep without putting out the candle, were burned to death. Fire broke out at 2 o'clock in the morning.] Receipts: #261 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pitt and Stoppelaer. Charges #67 15s. Deficit to each #4 6s. 9d., cover'd by income from tickets: Mrs Pitt #53 7s. (Box 48; Pit 185; Gallery 136); Stopplear, #86 5s. (Box 112; Pit 271; Gallery 176). Paid Bates for performing 4 nights in the Sorcerer to 11 Oct. last 10s., 5 nights in Henry VIII to 14 Feb. last #1 5s., and 5 nights in the Fair to 13 Nov. last 5s. Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Lady day last, #24 15s. 10d., and ditto for House in Bow Passage 17s. 9d. Receipts: #59 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede and T. Ansell. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets deliver'd by Pilfold, Sherratt, Wilkinson, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Emery, Widow Trott, Claridge and Doe will be taken as well as those delivered for Rule a Wife. Receipts: #39 15s. 6d. (Account Book). [No charges. House received the ready money receipts plus half-value of the tickets delivered]: @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 21 41 53 #16 14s. #8 7s.@Ansell 10 61 47 #16 7s. #8 3s. 6d.@Pilfold 43 284 74 #60 15s. #30 7s. 6d.@Sharratt .. 14 10 #3 2s. #1 11s.@Wilkinson 34 55 12 #17 19s. #8 19s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 24 50 23 #14 6s. #7 3s.@Mrs Emery 15 84 100 #26 7s. #13 3s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 18 4 5 #5 12s. #2 16s.@Claridge 12 66 52 #18 2s. #9 1s.@Doe .. 36 54 #10 16s. #5 8s.@Total 177 685 430 #190 #95@

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Charges #83 16s. Deficit to Sarjant #24 19s., cover'd by income from tickets, #168 14s. (Box 467; Pit 293; Gallery 80). Paid Cooper (printer) #40 15s. and Huddy (rope merchant) #2 11s. Receipts: #58 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. Thirteenth and last time this season of performing the afterpiece. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid Chorus 3 nights (this incl.) #5 6s. 6d. Receipts: #134 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)