Event Comment: Newsletter: Lacy, the famous comedian, is at length, by great intercession, released from his durance under the groom porter, where he stood committed by His Majesty's order for having 'on his own head' added several indecent expressions in the part he acted in a late play called The Change of Crowns, written by Mr Edward Howard (HMC, Fleming MSS, 12th Report, Part VII [1890], p. 47)

Event Comment: Pepys, Diary I home to dinner, where Mr Pierce dined with us, who tells us what troubles me, that my Lord Buckhurst hath got Nell Gwin? away from the King's house, lies with her, and gives her #100 a year, so as she hath sent her parts to the house, and will act no more. And yesterday Sir Thomas Crew told me that Lacy lies a-dying of the pox

Event Comment: The King's Company. This play is on the L. C. list, 5@12, p. 17: The King here. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 344. Mrs John Evelyn to Mr Terryll, 10 Feb. 1668@9: Horace, with a farce and dances between every act, composed by Lacy and played by him and Nell, which takes (John Evelyn, Diary and Correspondence, ed. William Bray, IV, 14). See 19 Jan. 1668@9

Event Comment: Mrs John Evelyn to Mr Terryll: The censure of our plays comes to ee at the second hand. There has not been any new lately revived and reformed, as Catiline, well set out with clothes and scenes; Horace, with a farce and dances between every act composed by Lacy and played by him and Nell, which takes; one of my Lord of Newcastle's, for which printed apologies are scattered in the assembly by Briden's order, either for himself who had some hand in it, or for the author most; I think both had right to them (The Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn, ed. Bray, IV, 14)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Being the most tragical tragedy that ever was tragedized by a company of tragedians. At the Particular Desire of Several Persons of Quality (General Advertiser). [The following unsigned statement of the financial condition of the theatre on 11 April is in the Harvard Collection of Documents dealing with affairs of Drury Lane, folio MS Thr. 12. This itemizes the outstanding liabilities to the amount of #8,808 14s. including #1,275 of arrears in actors' salaries]: I told Mr- the intended purchaser that the whole would not amount to #12,000. He said if it was more it should rest on me, for that was the utmost shilling he would give. But upon strict enquiry I find it will amount to #12,808 14s. This difference is not altogether owing to an error in calculation, but has been likewise heightened by a falling off of business, nor is it possible to ascertain the debt of a theatre for a day, it is of so fluctuating a nature. Q: whether this loss ought to light upon me, who have endeavored to get a purchaser & increased the value of the Estate to the utmost of my power? Errors excepted. [James Lacy or John Powel are the most likely authors of this statement. Whatever the authority, it is clear that settlement had not yet been made for transfer of ownership. For Powel, see G. W. Stone, Jr., The Authorship of Tit for Tat," Theatre Notebook, X (1955), 22-28.

Event Comment: Paid Mr Oram [Scene-painter] on acct. #10 10s. by order Lacy (Treasurer's Book). This month was published (Gentleman's Magazine, Register of Books) Some Considerations on the establishment of the French Strollers, the behaviour of their Bully Champions, and other seasonable matters at this critical juncture. Printed for R. Freeman. Receipts: #180 (Cross); #160 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Not acted in 10 years. With Proper Decorations. [See 28 May 1742.] Paid Tallow Chandler #19 6s. 5d.; Paid Mr Beard on order of Lacy #10 10s.; Paid to Supers for practice of Rehearsal 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #100 (Cross); #105 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Author. Tickets some as for 9 Jan. Lent Mr Leviez #5 5s. by order of Lacy; Salary list paid #305 15s. 6d.; Neal dead (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #130 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Yates. Tickets of Yates next door to Mr Walsh's Music Shop, Catherine St., Strand and at stage door. Rec'd Cash #51 8s. 6d., plus #79 16s. from tickets. Total #131 4s. 6d. Paid Leviez by order Lacy #6 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #140 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: CCampioni off the salary list. Paid Calthorpe #63; paid Mr Oram by order of Lacy #8 8s.; Salary List #200 4d.; Norton 6 Chorus #1 10s.; Wax & Brick Dust 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #170 (Cross); #154 4s. (Treasurer's Book)