Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. I slept [?] at Drury Lane before the play & was at my Office, it was a cold frostly night (Hailey, "Brietzcke Diary," Vol. 197, p. 69). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: Receipts: #142 4s. Paid Kemp for 5 nights #8; Mr Dall at work upon scenes of Oratorios, for which his salary is stopp'd from 28 Jan. 60; Paid Meares 6s.; Heaford (plaisterer) #78 10s.; Pearce (bricklayer) #79 18s.; Martin (wardrobe keeper) on acct of his salary #5. [I] was in both the Galleries both before and after the plays, met Mr Ware going into Covent Garden Gallery who said his sisters were there but I did see them (Hailey, "Brietzcke Diary," Vol. 197, p.71)

Event Comment: [The following puff appeared in the Public Advertiser: "Yesterday about twelve the Races began on the Bowling Green, Southwark. There were several started for the Plate called Public Approbation, amongst the Rest was a celebrated Theatrical Horse, and two or Three Racers belonging to the same Stable, and some young Colts and Fillies, lately bred in the Stud of an eminent Sportsman in the Haymarket. The dispute laid principally between the noted Don Quixote and the Little Female Minor. The contest was warm, and several Heats were ran [a number of performances during the day?] before it could be decided; which at length was given by a small Majority of the Subscribers and the Clerk of the Course, in favor of the latter. However, her Antagonists being Bloed, they have challenged her to run again, play or pay, for three Days sucessively; and she will start This Day, tomorrow and Monday next, exactly at Twelve. Bets are laid, the Little Minor against the Field; and Eight to Six that in the end she distances the famous Old Horse, and beats him absolutely hollow."

Event Comment: I slept [sic. q: step?] in at Drury Lane before the Play began, which was the first time of being in the Play House this season. Miss Allen was there & Pocock with some girls (Hailey, Brietzcke Diary, N & Q, Vol, 199, p. 260)

Event Comment: By Command of His Majesty. At fifteen Minutes past six, His Majesty went D-L-House, attended by several great Officers of State, to see the Rehearsal, but about ten o'clock a message was sent, signifying his Majesty's pleasure to have the new dramatic novel of Polly Honeycombe added to it; upon which fresh Bills were printed and pasted up...In consequence of a strict order from the managers not a single person was admitted into tne House before the doors were opened; nevertheless the Pit was filled in the space of four minutes (Gazetteer & London Daily Advertiser, 13 Dec.)

Event Comment: Benefit for a Clergyman's Widow under misfortunes. [Receipts: #88 2s. 6d. plus #87 19s. from tickets (Box 251; Pit 136; Gallery 48). Profits to Mrs Seede, the clergyman's widow, #90 15s. 6d.] Paid Mr J. Rich on account #531 (Account Book). [The profitable balance on the treasurer's books this night before deducting expenses and Rich's #500, withdrawal was #996 4s. 2d.] Charges: #85 5s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: By Authority. 7 p.m. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. The little Theatre was at this time enlargening, it being very small before the alteration, and having but one gallery with the way into the pit at each angle of the front boxes (Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Samuel Foote, Esq. [London, 1777]. Printed for J. Brew)

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command. Ladies and Gentlemen who have taken places are desired to send their servants before 3 o'clock. No persons can possibly be admitted behind the scenes or into the Orchestra. Present their Majesties the Duke of York, Prince William Henry, Prince Henry Frederick, and Lady Augusta. [The Winston Theatrical Record lists the customary night's expenses as follows]: @Renters #12 1s.@Barber 5s. 4d.@Music #4 19s. 5d.@Tallow Candles #2 10s.@Wax Candles #1 6s.@Coals 10s.@Lamps #1 12s. 3d.@1 days Billstickers 11s. 6d.@1 days Bills #1 7s.@1 days Advertising 5s.@Wardrobe Bill (a day) #1 7s.@Property Bill (a day) #1 6d.@Extras (for Opera and Rape) #1 6s. 6d.@J. Rich #5 5s.@C. Rich #1@Guards (18) and a Serjeant #1@#36 6s. 5d.@ Extras that night: @Yeomen of His Majesties' guard #1 1s.@Yeomen of Her Majesties' guard #1 1s.@His Majesties' Footmen #1 1s.@Her Majesties' Footmen #1 1s.@Princess of Wales' Attendant #1 1s.@Their Majesties' Coachman 6s.@Total #5 11s.

Event Comment: Income from Boxes #14. Paid salary list &c. as before #341 17s. 7d. Receipts: #54 19s. (Winston Theatrical Record)

Event Comment: A Burletta, Benefit for Sg & Sga Paganini, [Who] being desirous of returning to Italy...take this Opportunity to express their most grateful Sense of the many Favours with which they have been honoured in this Kingdom; and being willing that the Necessitous should share in that Bounty which they owe more to the Generosity of the English Nation than to their own Merits, they have allotted a fourth part of the Profits which may arise from the above Burletta (free from all Expense whatever) towards the carrying on and extending the Utility of the Asylum or House of Refuge for Female Orphans...and another Part of the aforesaid Profits will be given towards relieving old Signor Cataneo, who, during forty Years was useful to the Operas, but is now in extreme Distress; and the Manager, who is at the Expence of this Benefit, has chearfully consented to the Disposition here mentioned. As it is intended to apply the whole Profits which may arise from letting out the Servants Gallery [at 2s. 6d. each person] for the Benefit of the Asylum, over and above what was before alloted to it, 'tis humbly hoped that the Nobility, Gentry, etc. will not take it amiss if their Servants are not admitted that Night, as has been the Practice at this Theatre on Occasions of Charity. Tickets will delivered out for this Benefit, this day at the Opera Office, and signed by Mr Crawford, and all Monies given for Tickets above their usual Price, is to be shared in the Charity abovementioned. Tickets delivered for 23 March will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for the Author. [At the half-price riots (25 Jan.) Moody had stopped a man from setting fire to the house. When called upon to apologize for interfering with a gentleman and for taking the manager's part he thought to restore good humor by assuming the tone of a low-bred Irishman, saying he was sorry he had displeased them by saving their lives and putting out the fire. The reply inflamed the rioters more (Genest, V, p. 15). On 5 Feb. Moody inserted the following apology in the Public Advertiser: Mr Moody begs leave to inform the Public that the impropriety of his behavoir at the theatre was intirely owing to the confusion of mind he was then under; which unhappily for him was misconstrued into disrespect; tho' nothing could at that, or that, or at any other time, be farther from his thoughts. He therefore earnestly hopes and entreats that he may be permitted to appear before them again; as he hereby most humbly asks their pardon for whatever he inadvertently said or did to incur their displeasure."

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. The great concourse of people at this theatre before the usual time of opening the doors, having been so great as to overpower the persons who were placed to receive the tickets; and as many were forced into the Theatre without an opportunity of paying for their admittance, Mr Giardini is under the greatest concern lest offence should be taken by those not being able to get in, who had sent for tickets to this office. He has given orders that those tickets shall be admitted tomorrow, as the opera of Siroe (by particular desire) is to be performed (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.). [Pickpockets, including one former soldier, took three diamond earrings, and one hair-ornament set with brilliants, from members of the audience on this night (Daily Advertiser). Found, a new Silver Sword in the Opera House Lobby on S. 21 Jan.; the Owner, by describing the Sword-Knot, may, on applying to the Orange-Woman at the House, have it restored (Daily Advertiser, 24 Jan.).] Lost on going to the Opera a Brilliant Diamond Cross composed of nine brilliants, by Lord Conyngham. Reward of 10 Guineas for Return (Public Advertiser, 23 Jan.)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. A new serious Opera. Pit and Boxes put together and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets, which will be delivered this Day, at the Office, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. By their Majesties Command no Persons whatsoever to be admitted behind the Scenes or in the Orchestra. Gallery, Pit and Boxes to be opened at Five. 6:30 p.m. [Repeated in the subsequent bills.] Messrs Crawford, Vincent, and Gordon most humbly request that the Nobility and Gentry, Subscribers to the Operas for the ensuing Season, will please send their Subssciptions to Andrew Drummond and Co., Bankers at Charing Cross; or to Crawford, at the theatre, where attendance will be given every day from Ten to Two, to receive Subscriptions, and the names of the Subscribers who are pleased to honor the Managers with their Protection to enable them to get the Tickets engraved before the Operas begin (Public Advertiser through October and November)

Event Comment: Last time of performing before the Holidays

Event Comment: [The title alone had a certain startling appeal. The General Advertiser reminded its readers twenty years before (11 Nov. 1748) "Clandestine marriages are illegal and punishable by the Statute of the 7th and 8th of King William, Chap. 35 under which Law the Parson shall forfeit One Hundred Pounds; and every man married without Banns or Licence shall forfeit ten Pounds, to be recovered with costs, by any Person that shall inform."

Event Comment: [T+The Way of the World had been advertised for both this day and the day before at foot of playbills.] Paid Isaac Wheatland for the side drum in The Female Archer 9s. (Account Book). Receipts: #194 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Hopkins (prompter) and Mrs Hopkins. Charges #64 17s. [Profit to the Hopkins family #30 19s. plus Tickets.] Tickets delivered by Philips will be taken. Paid B. Johnson's Head bill #1 2s. 3d.; Paid Mr J. Johnston, by order #21; Rec'd Mr Pope's rent 1 year at #30 minus King's Tax of #3 8s.: Total #26 12s. receiv'd. Paid Mr Pope's bill #13 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Before 4 dined behind St Clements, and went to ye First Gallery to see the Distressed Mother....We had the Capricious Lovers, Lisetta by Mrs Clive, who took off the ridiculous sing-song at ye Opera House charmingly (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #95 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [C$Crawford announced his withdrawal from proprietorship of Operas at the close of this season, and requested all creditors to present their accounts to the opera office on the days of the performance to settle before the books be closed. Messrs Vincent and Gordon to continue Operas on their own account thereafter.

Event Comment: Benefit for Legg, Mrs Lampe, Mrs Jones. Afterpiece: For the last time this season. Tickets deliver'd for Hamlet will be taken. The Dragon of Wantly cannot be perform'd on account of indisposition of Mrs Pinto. Charges #67 9s. 6d. [Profit to each beneficiary #2 19s. 6d. plus income from tickets: Legg #84 2s. (Box 129; Pit 251; Gallery 142); Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones combined #74 15s. (Box 102; Pit 219; Gallery 164).] Paid Bryan a bill for writing parts #1 1s. 6d. Paid Cooper (printer) #27 2s. Paid Condell for Coach hire, the last command by order of Mr Beard 2s. (Account Book). Before 5 went to ye Play...It was played tolerably well; Cleopatra very well by Mrs Bellamy, Octavia (for ye 1st time) by Mrs Mattocks, Antony by Smith, Vent. by Gibson not badly. We had ye Dances, Rural Love and ye Wapping Landlady (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #76 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: [N$Neville read part of play before going in at six.

Event Comment: NNeville MS Diary: At 6 took my place in ye Pit. I expected ye Taylors would have been damned; but with certain alterations and additions it went off better than it did last night. It is a sort of burlesque tragedy. If there is any wit in it, it is very low and unlike that in Mr Foote's other pieces. The Prologue, spoken by him, is more diverting than any part of ye play. Some Masters and leading Journeymen are taken off. [Cast listed.] The Citizen was vilely performed, except Old Philpot by Weston. Palmer is not equal to ye young one. They went off without concluding it. We had ye Builders Prologue before ye farce, by ye same means we had it last night. Foote wished for ye Builder, as ye person who supplied his place did his part vilely

Event Comment: [G$Genest, V, 140, notes that Bannister's name does not appear in the playbill; the Public Advertiser bill, which does not specify any parts, includes Bannister as well as Strange, Loveman, Keen, and Smith, for which there is no support in the 1767 edition.] Before six went into the Pit to see the new tragedy of The Countess of Salisbury performed for the first time. One cannot judge perfectly of a Play without reading it, but it was received with vast applause. The author being an Irishman, Weston spoke a Prologue in the character of an Hibernian (Neville MS Diary)

Event Comment: Author's Night for Mainpiece. Last time of performing it before the Holidays

Event Comment: Benefit for Aldridge and Miles. The Clandestine Marriage cannot be perform'd on account of Indisposition of Woodward. Charges #64 15s. 6d. Balance to Aldridge and Miles #12 12s. 6d. Paid Aldridge #6 6s. 3d. who also had from Tickets #39 13s. (Box 55; Pit 138; Gallery 52). Paid Miles #6 6s. 3d. who also had from Tickets #92 15s. (Box 140; Pit 253; Gallery 173) (Account Book). [Miles was much senior to Aldridge in serivce at cg. See note on Mrs Bulkley, 17 Nov. 1767, who had been ready in this part five months before.] Receipts: #77 8s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Last Time of Performing this Season. Benefit for Theatrical Fund. Pit and Boxes thrown together. Doors open half an hour before. Play begins promptly at half after 6.[This was Palmer's last appearance on the stage in Absent Man (Winston MS 10), but see 29 April. MacMillan notes that Palmer died 23 May.