Event Comment: Benefit a Gentleman who has wrote for the Stage. [Professor John B. Shipley of the University of Colorado has called to my attention a letter written by James Ralph to Thomas Birch, dated 14 February 1741, in which he states that this benefit is to be for Ralph. See B.M. Add. MSS. 4317, fol. 94.

Event Comment: By particular Desire. Benefit Ryan. Receipts: money #59 0s. 6d.; seals #100 6s. (Account Book); #150 (Rylands MS.) [Ryan received a Free Benefit. See also an Exchange of letters in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 9 and 10 March, concerning the alleged indecency of Blunt's undressing before the audience.

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [For letter on pantomime, see British Journal, 18 March.

Event Comment: See Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb., for a letter from Colley Cibber to the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court. Daily Advertiser, 4 Feb.: Whereas it is agreed on between several Gentlemen, to erect a New Theatre for the exhibiting of Plays, Farces, Pantomime, &c. all such Persons as are willing to undertake the said Building, are desir'd to bring their Plans for the same by the 2d of May next ensuing, in order to be laid before the said Gentlemen, the Time and Place of which Meeting will be advertis'd in this Paper on the last of April. Proportions of the Ground: The North Side 120 Feet; the West, square with the North, 130 Feet; the South 110 Feet; and the East on a Bevil, joining the Parallel. Note, There must be a Passage left to go round the Building, and the Stages to be 30 Feet wide at the First Scene; the Distance between Wall and Wall 80 Feet; and the Scene-Rooms, Green and Dressing Rooms, to be on the outside of the last mention'd Measure. The Stage to be either North or South

Event Comment: Paid Mr Chapman for horsekeeping [for Jubilee] #12 6s. (Treasurer's Book). [Published this month A Letter to David Garrick, Esq. on his conduct as Principal Manager and Actor at Drury Lane. Printed for S. Bladon. Accuses Garrick of controlling the press, save for two papers, and thus getting more favourbale treatment than his position and actions deserve. "You are a mere actor. You affect to feel where you do not, and imitate tones, looks and gestures, while your heart is at ease. This should heighten our opinion of you as an artist, whatever we might think of you as a man. I believe you are not generally judged of in this manner. It is not difficult to impose on the world." The author (David Williams?) deprecates Garrick's supposed handling of the actors of his company, and desires to see more Shakespeare. Suggests Garricks' acting perfection lies in the extreme, in exaggerated gesture, and sudden bursts of passion." Suggests he is getting old and should try his hand at Shylock.] Receipts: #271 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Arne. An Historical Musical Drama. The Musick composed by Command of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and never perform'd in England, but at his Royal Highnesses Palace at Cliefdon. The Poem was written by Mr Thompson and Mr. Mallet. The Musick by Mr Arne. To conclude with a Celebrated Ode in Honour of Great Britain in imitation of those formerly sung at Banquets of Kings and Heroes. Boxes 6s. Pit 4s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. The above Day is fix'd on to avoid interfering with Mr Handel. Mrs Arne hopes humbly the Town will not be offened at this small advance of the Price, this performance being exhibited at an extraordinary expence, with regard to the number of Hands, Chorus singers, building the stage, and erecting an organ; besides all other incidentals as usual. Ladies desired to send servants by 4 o'clock. Tickets of Mrs Arne, next door to the Crown in Great Queen St, by Lincoln's Inn Fields, and places taken of Hobson at the stage Door, with whom Tickets are left

Event Comment: Benefit Woodward. Mainpiece: An Historical Play, never acted there before [see 20 March 1738]. At the Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. As written by Shakespear. Containing the wars of Cymbeline with the Romansr, in the reign of Augustus Caesar; the various distresses and Adventures of Imogen the King's Daughter; the noble repulse the Romans met with, on their invading Britain; their defeat, and many other historical passages. Ladies are desired to send their servants early to prevent mistakes. To be Lett, and enter'd upon on Monday next, the 7th instant Commodious Places in the Front and Upper Boxes...for the excellent reviv'd play of Shakespear... For further Particulars enquire of Mr Woodward, at his house near the theatre [in advance bills]

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. The Comedy in 2 acts taken by Miss Pope from Mrs Sheridan's Discovery. House charges #64 17s. [Profit to Miss Pope #115 5s.] Paid B. Johnson's Head bill 18s. 7d.; Manager's subscription for St George's #10 10s.; Soldier's practice for Alexander 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Neville attended this night and in his Diary compliments all the performers and dancers. I am afraid Vernon's attempt to imitate old Shuter will prove vain. He added something to the introduction to the Cries tonight."] Receipts: #180 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: DDialogue-Epilogue, an Address to the Town-Sparks and Keen, as Lord Chief Justice Joker and his Attorney General. Benefit for Sparks. Afterpiece: By Thomas Sheridan. [The Dialogue-Epilogue is Larpent MS 309.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Green. Tickets delivered for the 31st of March will be taken. Public Advertiser, 15 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Green at her house in King-street, Covent Garden. Receipts: #262 9s. (199.4; tickets: 63.5) (charge: #105)

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. "God save the King was sung by the audience, standing up, twice before the piece commenced, and twice after it was finished. At the end of the Divertisement, Rule Britannia was sung, the whole Royal Family joining" (London Chronicle, 17 Jan.). Receipts: #477 10s

Event Comment: Benefit Banberry. Afterpiece a Farce, never acted there before, wrote by Mr Sheridan, the Player. [No prices in Daily Advertiser or General Advertiser.

Event Comment: YYeates senior and Bennet's Booth, facing the Hospital Gate, West Smithfield. Wrote by Thomas Sheridan, The Player. Noon to 10 p.m. [Notice repeated 26, 27 Aug.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A New Comic Opera [by R. B. Sheridan] never perform'd. The Music partly New and partly selected from the most eminent composers. With a New Overture, Scenes, Dresses, and Other Decorations. Books of the songs in the Opera to be had at the Theatre. [This note repeated on subsequent bills.] Afterpiece: Not acted these 10 years. [See 19 May 1767.] [Reviewed in the Westminster Magazine for Nov. which commented on the witty dialogue and effectiveness of the music. It was "puffed" gently in the Public Advertiser 22 Nov.: "Receiv'd with every mark of approbation that could be given. It will be repeated tomorrow evening with the Farce of the Apprentice."

Event Comment: SSquire Richard-Mr Obrien ($Hopkins). Benefit for King. Receipts: #250 (MacMillan); charges: #64 4s. [Profit to King: #185 16s.