Event Comment: This comedy was wrote by
Mr Moor, & except ye part of Faddle meet with Universal Applause (ye Author's
first play) (
Cross). New Scenes and Cloaths (
General Advertiser). This C. was written by Moore--it is a good play--it was acted 11 times successively--
Garrick's peculiar qualifications and happy use of them, added amazing spirit to the piece, and gave more consequence to
Young Belmont than can well be imagined--
Macklin, who never had in voice, figure or features much capacity
for the fop cast, yet struck out some things in
Faddle, that have not been since equalled, particularly in marking the obsequious knave throughout--
Barry in the fourth act supported his character with emphatic dignity and in the last with melting tenderness--the part of
Rosetta was undoubtedly conceived
for Mrs Woffington, and she did it particular justice--the elegance, the notions of love, and the vanity of admiration, which are united in Rosetta, were natural to
Mrs Woffington, so that she had the advantage of looking and speaking in her own character--the softness and pathos, which distinguished
Fidelia sat with much ease on
Mrs Cibber (
Dramatic Censor, II, 206). [
For contemporary account of plot and discussion of the play, see
Gentleman's Magazine Feb. 1748, pp. 51-54; March 1748, pp. 114-17; May 1748, pp. 207-9; June 1748, pp. 257-59. See also
G. Stayley,
An Answer to an unjust criticism on the Foundling, listed in Register of Books,
Gentleman's Magazine, May 1748, p. 240;
A Criticism of the Foundling, in a letter to the author, listed in Register of Books,
Gentleman's Magazine, March 1748, p. 144. The
Larpent MS indicates many revisions. The substitution of Rake
for Whoremaster, &c. Some Suggestive passages marked
for excision. "The Disapprobation, which the Character of Faddle met with the
first Night, made it necessary
for me to shorten it in almost every Scene" (Dedication to 1st Edition).] Receipts: #200 (
Cross); #200 5s. (
Powel)