Event Comment: The Prelude The Theatrical Candidates By Desire, and for the last Time. Paid Mr Brereton on Mr G. draft #60. Receipts: #136 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. When Face ask'd Drugger if he had any Interest with the Players--Mr G. Answer'd I believe I had once but don't know if I have now or not--It It had a good Effect--his having Just Sold his Share of the Patent (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] On Wed. Night Jan. 18, 1776, Mr Garrick concluded his treaty for the sale of his share of the patent and property of Drury Lane Theatre to 4 gentlemen for #35,000 (Winston MS 11). Receipts: #256 9s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 12 years. [See 26 April 1763.] This Comedy is reviv'd for the Queen to See Mr G. in Sir Anthony Bramble which he perfkrmed inimitably--he wrote and spoke a New Address to the Ladies in the Character of Sr. Anto. which was receiv'd with very great Applause. The Play is long and heavy (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid salary list #624 6s. 6d.; Westminster Charity Subscription #5 5s.; Griffith 3 weeks 15s.; Mrs Greville for cloaths in Irish Widow, #5 9s. Receipts: #273 1s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The People flock'd about the doors by Two o'clock. there never was a greater Overflow-Mr G. was never happier in Lear -the Applause was beyond description 3 or 4 loud Claps Succeeding one another at all his exits and many Cry'd out Garrick for Ever &c., &c. House (Hopkins Diary). [Kemble's note differs slightly.] Paid Mr Short, Chorus Singer #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Hannah More wrote to Mrs Gwatkin: The eagerness of the people to see Garrick is beyond anything you can have an idea of. You will see half a dozen duchesses and countesses a night in the upper boxes: for the fear of not seeing him at all, has humbled those who used to go, not for the purpose of seeing but being seen; and they now courtsy to the ground for the worst places in the house" (Hampden, Journal). [Letter to David Garrick, Esq on his appearance in Lear last night 13 May: The correspondent who signs himself Stock Fish and who claims to have been one of the survivors of the Black Hole of Calcutta, and who took a young lady from the country to see Garrick's last performance, blames him for endangering the lives of his majesties subjects for not providing proper bars, lanes, and queue lines to handle the crowds: "I went with intention to get into the Pit as the most eligible Part of the House (for your Boxes are always engag'd) and we got to the Door in Vinegaryard about five o'clock. Here the Passage to the first Door was too full for me to entertain any Hopes of getting in that Way, we therefore made for Catharine-street but the Multitudes of People waiting for the Opening of the Gallery-doors, rendered it impossible for us to get along through the Court; we therefore made a Circuit, and at length arrived opposite the Door in Catharine-street, where it was with Difficulty we could keep our Stands on a Foot Pavement....You will be absolutely inexcusable, if after this Warning you neglect to adopt some Method for the Security of the Lives of his Majesties Subjects on similar Occasions.--What think you of the following Scheme, viz. To keep the outer Doors next the Street shut, till the inner ones are opened ; and then, by a Proper bar, to prevent more than one at a Time entering, who shall there pay Entrance-money, and receive the Tickets of Admission through the inner Doors' (Public Advertiser 18 May).] Receipts: #308 1s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Abington's First appearance in Clarinda . She was very easy and like the Character. Mr G. as Usual play'd finely (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd of Mr Parker in full of note #30. Receipts: #279 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Ladies send servants by 5 to keep Places and prevent Confusion. Doors will be opened at half after five o'clock. To begin at half after 6 o'clock (playbill). Mr G. Voice and Spirits was never finer he never wanted Spirit or Voice thro' the whole part and Convinced the Audience that those Amazing powers he has always possess'd are now as brilliant as ever. Never was a part play'd with greater Propriety nor an Audience more lavish of their Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] [A full column letter for the Morning Chronicle this date from Theatricus to Garrick protested the fact that his announced benefit for the Theatrical Fund on the 30th of May would be all sold out to the highest bidders for tickets; that a nobleman offering ten Guineas for four box seats would get them in preference to the tradesmen who offered only a pound, the stated price of the tickets. Since charity was the cause this writer suggested that Garrick give a second benefit night to the Fund, with the hopes (1) that the Fund would be thereby vastly increased, and (2) that opportunity might be given for twice as many People to see a Garrick final performance. It was, perhaps, in response to this public request that Garrick gave a second Benefit night for the Fund on 10 June. The Morning Post, 29 May, noted: "The concourse of servants assembled yesterday morning at seven o'clock, at Drury Lane Stage Door, to take places for the approaching benefit, in which it is said Mr Garrick will again play Richard III , was astonishing, amounting to many hundreds, three fourths of which were not able to Succeed in their embassies' (Hampden, Journal).] Receipts: #307 3s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: House (Hopkins Diary). Last time of Garrick's performing Richard . Ladies desired to send their Servants a little after Five to keep places, to prevent Confuson. It is Vanity to endeavor to describe Mr G. Merits they beggar all Descripiton, suffice it to Say he was what he represented (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble conservatively toned down.] Paid Sg Como and Crispi in full #3 8s. 3d. Mr Hurd ditto 7s. 6d. Receipts: #284 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Cibber (Cross). And the Stage (for the better Accommodation of the Ladies) will be form'd into Front and Side Boxes, where Servants will be allow'd to keep Places, as well as in the Boxes and the Pit. Ladies are desired to send Servants to keep Places by 3 o'clock. Tickets to be had of Mrs Cibber, at her house in Thrift St, Soho, and of Hobson, at the Stage Door of the Theatre, where Places may be taken. Tomorrow The Foundling (being the 13th Night). Receipts: #250 (Cross); house charges, #60 (Powel); cash, #81 17s.; tickets, #187 5s. 6d. (Clay MS). This charge was also set down that the principle [sic] treasurer should not know to the contrary, because it was told him that Mrs Cibber paid for her benefit, and if he had imagin'd otherwise, he perhaps would have insisted upon the same terms for his wife (Mrs Pr-h-d). I must therefore subtract it with Mr G-k's Benefit, it standing in their Books exactly in the same manner as his (Powel)

Event Comment: The 172nd and last performance of the season (Cross). This was the end of the season, having played 171 nights. Rec'd by the forfeits of the Band of Musick, which used formerly to be given the treasurer, #22 9s. 2d. Rec'd ditto from the actors, #15 1s. 2d. So that they did receive, as appears by their own books, the first season of Mr G-k's commencing manager, the sum of #21,044 15s. 2d., which I shall carry forward to the receipts of the next season (Powel). [N.B.: Powel's analysis of expenses and profits is based on a two-year income and concludes in June 1749. Cross's visual estimate of the value of each night amounts to #25,741. If one subtracts, however, the difference between the estimate on benefit nights and the actual house charges received, a sum of #4,796, Cross's estimate of total income from box receipts amounts to #20,945.] Receipts: #170 (Cross); #163 13s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: [P$Potter reprinted his letter of 18 Jan., and added the footnote: "The person who took the House was a man of genteel appearance, said his name was William Nicholls, and directed letters to be left for him at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden."] [The Prologue and Epilogue spoken by the children of the Prince of Wales on their performing Cato at Leicester House, printed in the General Advertiser.] [This day published] A Letter to Mr G-k, relative to his treble Capacity of Manager, Actor, and Author; with some remarks upon Lethe. All Three! All three! Gay. Sold by W. Reeve in Fleet St.; and A. Dodd, at the Peacock opposite St. Clements Church in the Strand (General Advertiser). [This day published] Lethe, A Dramatick Satire, by David Garrick as it is perform'd at Drury Lane. Printed for P. Vaillant, facing Southampton Street in the Strand. Receipts: #140 (Cross); #144 17s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: Paid Blandford (Tallow Chandler) #12 19s.; Norton 3 chorus 15s.; Paddick a bill per order Mr G. #2 17s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #40 (Cross); #38 12s. 2d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Jubilee consists of Dialogue Singing & Dancing. This Entertainment was written & compil'd by Mr G.-and it was receiv'd with bursts of Applause the Procession of Shakespear's Characters &c. is the most Superb that ever was Exhibited or I believe ever will. There never was an Entertainment produc'd that gave so much pleasure to all Degrees Boxes pit and Gallery (Hopkins Diary). The Music by Dibdin. With New Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. [On all subsequent bills, though some are shortened, the PAGEANT is advertised in large capitals. Larpent MS 298, includes descriptive notes and stage directions, p. 24: "Here follows the Pageant, with Bells ringing, Fifes playing, Drums beating, and Cannons firing. In The Procession every scene in the different plays represents some capital part of it in action...The last Scene is a magnificent Transparent one in which the Capital characters of Shakespeare are exhibited at full length with Shakespeare's Statue in the middle crowned by Tragedy and Comedy, fairies and Cupids surrounding him and all the banners waving at the upper end. Then enter the dancers." The Pageant appeared at the top of the stage and came forward, Reviewed in Freeholder's Magazine, Oct.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire. Paid Mr G. Garrick on Acct, #100; Miss Berkley lent per order, #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #166 17s. (Treaurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Desire Towards raising a Fund for the relief of those who from their infirmities shall be oblig'd to retire from the stage. Mr G better than before if possible (Hopkins Diary). Pit and Boxes together, admittance to Pit only by Box ticket. Doors open half past 5. Begin promptly at Six. Paid Renters #8; Supers and K Drum #1 15s.; Soldiers 14s.; Printer #2 6s. 6d.; Extra constables &c. 18s.; Candles, Oyl and Lampmen, #3 18s. 6d. Total #17 12s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts for Fund: #295 12s. 3d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston. Mainpiece: By Desire. Tickets deliver'd for A Comedy will be taken. Paid 6 days salary list at #86 14s. 7d. per diem, #520 7s. 6d.; Mr G. Garrick on acct #50; Rec'd from Sinking Fund #45; Stopages #15 17s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #149 9s. Charges: #64 12s. Profits to Weston: #84 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 26 years. [See 13 April 1748.] Dressed in The Habits of the Times (playbill). This play is altered by Mr G was well perform'd a New Prologue & Epilogue all receiv'd with Applause (Hopkins Diary). [MacMillan's note from Kemble differs sligntly in wording.] Paid Properties #1 11s. 11d.; Housekeeper's bill #4 13s. Receipts: #153 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: King not being sufficiently recover'd the School for Wives deferr'd. Paid half year's rent to the Duke of Bedford to Mich. last #165 2d.; Insurance of theatre and New Building to Christmas 1774 from this day #51 10s. 6d.; Mr G. Garrick on acct #100. Receipts: #183 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Lusignan by Mr G. as Usual very fine (Hopkins Diary). [Judgment confirmed by statement in London Chronicle, 14 Oct.] The Comedy of As You Like It, obliged to be deferred. Paid a cotton bill #2 11s. 4d. Receipts: #219 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)