Event Comment: Paid salary list 6 days at #72 8s. 4d. per diem #434 10s.; Mr Hopkins on note #28; Miss Reynolds to make up salary 18s. 4d.; Rec'd Stopages [i.e., forfeits from actors' wages for missing rehearsals, etc.] #3 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #254 5s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Michael Arne on his note #50; Blandford (tallow chandler's bill #45 12s.; Paid Mr Barber for Cloaths #14 14s.; Paid Hopkins for licensing two farces #4 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #114 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Fox, Mrs Cross, Miss Simson. By Particular Desire. House charges #64 7s. [Profit to actors #1 2s. 6d. plus tickets. Received Mr Dickinson's deficiency #54 14s.] Rec'd of Clutterbuck #100. Paid French on account #40. Paid Florio for 7 nights in Cymon #7 7s.; Chorus singers #2 10s. 6d.; Rec'd repayment of Arne's note #50 and of Hopkins' note #28; Stopages #2 3s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #65 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid Mr Vincent for 3 sets of Abels Symphonies #2 5s. (Account Book). Receipts: #116 11s. (Account Book). This was the last time Mr Beard appeared on the stage. John Beard Esq Buried in the vault (at Hampton) 12 Feb. 1791. This celebrated actor was bred up at the King's Chapel, and was afterwards one of the singers at the Duke of Chandos's Chapel at Canons, where he took a part in Handel's Oratorio of Hester. His first appearance on the stage was 30 August 1737, in the character of Sir John Loverule [Devil to Pay], at Drury Lane. In 1739 he married Lady Henrietta Herbert, daughter of James, Earl of Waldegrave, and Widow of Lord Edward Herbert. Upon this event he quitted the Stage. After a few years he returned to it again, and continued to be a great favourite with the public both as an actor and a vocal performer till 1767, when he finally retired from the theatre. Lady Henrietta Beard died in 1753; and in 1759 Mr Beard married a Daughter of John Rich Esq Patentee of Covent Garden Theatre. On this occasion he removed a second time to that theatre, where he had acted from 1744 to 1748; and on the death of his father-in-law in 1761, was appointed Manager. Mr Beard, who was as much esteem'd in private life as he was admired on the stage, was for many years an Inhabitant of Hampton. See Lysons's Middlesex Parishes, p. 89 and 80. Mr Beard died 4 Feb. 1791, aged 74 years. See his Epitaph, ibidem. See Lady Beard's Epitaph in St Pancreas Churchyard (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: This evening Covent Garden played against us Unexpected, on which account both houses performed every night (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: MMr Jefferson played Buckingham for the first Time, as a tryal, and is engaged for the next season. --Pretty well (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: MMr Bannister made his first appearance on this stage in Merlin with a new Song introduced.--He was received with applause, --is a tall figure, good voice and sings well (Hopkins MS Notes). [The grand procession of the orders of chivalry hereafter a regular feature of Cymon.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: First time in 2 years. [See 17 Jan. 1766.] Harlequin's Invasion revived with alterations, particularly a Patagonian Man and Woman, executed by Mr Johnston, are very fine Figures, and gave great satisfaction to the Audience (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: IImogen, for 1st time, Mrs Baddeley, pretty well, --but an indifferent figure in Breeches.--Mrs Johnston hissed in the Queen (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Full Prices. Hopkins MS Memorandum Book: By the Manager's order I ask'd Mr Joseph? Reed what he had a benefit for the next night. His answer was The Managers give it him for his withdrawing Dido and on account of The Register Office and to clear them from all demands he had upon them whatever

Event Comment: Last time of performing both pieces this season. Zenobia deferr'd. Hopkins MS Memorandum Book: waited on Mrs Dancer & told her the Managers gave their compliments to Mr Barry and her & as their going to Ireland would be of such advantage to 'em, they would not hinder 'em, & they had their permission to go the 15th. The only reason they wish'd they would have stay'd a few days longer, was to have kept up the reputation of Zenobia, as the play had got a reputation. They were sorry it had not been played oftener. Mrs Dancer's answer was: Their compliments to the Managers, that it was now too late, & that Mr Barry has wrote word they should not go to Ireland as the Managers seem'd against it & that Mr Barry & She was ready to do anything the Managers desir'd, as long as the House was open. I ask'd, if they stay'd, if she thought Mr Barry would be able to play in Zenobia the Thursday following, & if it would be agreeable to her do play Mrs Sullen [Stratagem] the next week. Her answer was she would play that or anything else the Managers pleas'd & that she was going to Mr Barry the next morning & that she would send word if he thought he should be able to play in Zenobia on Thursday next. When I left her the Maid follow'd me into the street & told me Mrs Dancer meant by saying as long as the House was open was--as long as the usual time of keeping the House open

Event Comment: [The Young Gentleman who played Zaphna was Wroughton. "His real name was Rottan, but altered euphonia gratia. He was designed for a surgeon and served his apprenticeship at Bath. The following playbills show that he met with approbation on the stage. He remained with Covent Garden from this time till the end of the season 1785-86. He then played in Ireland one Winter, and was engag'd at Drury Lane Theatre in the beginning of the season 1787-88. This was the occasion of Mr Wroughton's leaving Covent Garden, I mean it was thus conjectured. Mr Lewis had been appointed manager of that theatre for Mr Harris. Mr Lewis and Mr Wroughton lived next door neighbors in Broad Court at the top of Bow Street, and were sworn friends:--they laughed together, lived together--In the season 1784-85 two new performers Mr Holman and Mr Pope, appeared on the Covent Garden Stage--these young men were great favorites with Mr Harris; Mr Holman, attracting at this time very crowded audiences, stood so particularly high in his regard, that his partiality made him guilty of some injustice to older and abler actors in the theatre. Mr Henderson had really cause to complain of neglect; and Mr Wroughton thought himself equally oppressed. At this time we had a Club and met every Wednesday fortnight during Lent at the Long Room in Hamstead at dinner. Our Club consisted of a certain number of us belonging indifferently to either theatre, and two or three other gentlemen who were not actors. Mr King, Mr Quick, Mr Farren, Mr Mattocks, myself, etc., etc. When the bottle had a little warmed Mr Wroughton he threw out some sarcasms on his Friend Mr Lewis's management; Mr Lewis retorted; Their tempers grew hot, their words grew aggravating; Mr Wroughton struck Mr Lewis; Mr Lewis returned the blow. They were parted; all the pleasures of the day were over, and the Club broke up in confusion. I was not present this day, but have related what Mr Siddons told me of this Quarrel, and I imagine that Mr Wroughton's attack on Mr Lewis sprang from a suspicion that he was too willing to execute Mr Harris's designs in favour of Mr Holman. Be this as it may, Mr Wroughton was discharged from cg at the expiration of his Articles with Mr Harris."--Hopkins MS Notes.] Receipts: #186 3s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: MMiss Morris was a pupil of Mr Colman's--She was very much approved by the public in the character of Juliet. On the sixth night of her appearance on the stage she was taken ill, and died before the end of this season. See the Bill for her Benefit (Hopkins MS Notes). Afterpiece: Not acted these 6 years. [See 19 May 1762.] [The Occasional Prologue, by Colman, is Larpent MS 288, which introduces Miss Morris as Juliet, and stresses the qualms and fears of a new performer.] Receipts: #227 19s. 6d. (Account Book). Lloyd's Evening Post, 28-30 Nov.: Sir: The managers of both theatres have of late, in order to put a stop to the Public complaint against a dearth of actors, given trials to several stage candidates that seemed to have any promising requisite. Such experiments have not proved fruitless. The most brilliant and interesting of which was the young lady's appearance on Covent Garden Theatre last night, in the character of Juliet. So great was her terror, on presenting herself for the first time before a crowded audience, that, deprived of all her powers, she fell down on the stage in a swoon. The first act in consequence, was all terror on her side, all compassion and anxiety on that of the audience. But having had time between the first and second Acts to recover from her panic, she shone forth in the Balcony Scene the most pleasing promise of a young tragic actress that has been seen for half a century past, and continued so throughout. Her person is genteel, her tone of voice insinuating, variable, and melodious; her recitation is just and sensible; very affecting in the pathetic parts; condescending, free, and polite are the familiar speeches with the Nurse. She is happily devoid of all stage whine, and tragedy Cant. The manner she has been rudimented in does great honour to her instructors, who have so judiciously prevented the so excellent actor of this verily a Shakespeare's Juliet, from being sophisticated by the studied tricks, and false ornamenting of mistaken modern and degenerate art

Event Comment: Waited on Mrs Barry to know if it would be agreeable to her to play Lady Townly [Provok'd Husband] with Mrs Reddish. She said she had no cloaths fit for it. I ask'd if she has any objection to Mrs Abington's playing the part. She answered no (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: TTancred and Sigismunda deferred. Mrs Barry ill. I call'd upon Mr Barry. He was not at home. In the afternoon I sent him a note desiring they would send notice when they were able to perform. He sent me an angry note in answer on Fryday. I, by the managers [orders] answer'd it on Fryday morning, both which letters Mr Garrick has (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd a Message from Mr Barry that he was not able to play King Lear on Fryday, which was at the bottom of today's Bills, but that he believ'd he could play on Saturday. He did not play again till Mond. the 15, King Lear (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd this night a Message from Barry that he was not able to play tomorrow in the Siege of Damascus, which was under today's Bills (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Waited on Mr Barry to know if he should be able to play in the Conscious Lovers on Saturday. His answer was that he could not--& Mrs Barry consented to play it with Mr Reddish (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Sent a note to Mr Barry to know if he could play in the Siege of Damascus on Tuesday. He sent word he could not determine till tomorrow. Sunday Morning (the 4th) sent a note for Mr Barry's determination & to know if Zenobia might be advertis'd for Saturday. His answer was he would let me know when he was able to play (Hopkins MS Memorandum Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. Miss Ross years later married M LeTexier (Hopkins MS Notes; MacMillan)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Never acted there. [The Gentleman identified as Savigny in Hopkins MS Notes.

Event Comment: [The young lady who played Lady Townly identified by Hopkins MS Notes.

Event Comment: The Serious part of the Entertainment Dull & heavy--Hopkins. Paid Supernumerary Soldiers & practices #2 6s. 6d.; Paid seven years sewer tax #13 9s. 4d.; Paid Mr Weston's note, per order Mr G. G. #12 5s. 5d.; Paid Mr Thos. French for painting 8 days to this day exclusive #3 4s.; Paid for license for Institution of the Garter #2 2s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #189 4s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Barry being Ill Mr Reddish play'd Bajazet (not the thing) Miss Hayward Shamefully imperfect in Selima (Hopkins). Paid 8 extra trumpets 6 nights (this incl.) #18 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #241 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The Young Gentleman identified as Owenson by Hopkins MS Notes. Confirmed by Sir Nicholas Nipclose, in The Theatres (2nd. ed. London, 1722, p. 51) speaking of Inchbald's introduction to the London stage with advertisement of "first appearance" though he had been many years an itinerant actor, "this is a trick to gain, from curiosity, what may pay by one night the whole season's pitiful salary of such actors; several mushrooms have vegetated thus; but none more worthless or short lived, than Mr Owenson; brought forward modestly in Tamerlane, some weeks since; without even the requistes of a grown-up school-boy."] Receipts: #180 6s. (Account Book)