Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Daily Advertiser, 13 Dec: Charles Mecklin was try'd for the Murder of Mr Hallam the Player, and found Guilty of Manslaughter

Event Comment: We hear that the play Venice Preserv'd is in Rehearsal at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, and is to be perform'd on Friday next; and that the part of Pierre will be attempted by a Gentleman who never appear'd on any stage before (General Advertiser). [This month was published A Letter to a certain Patentee, in which the Conduct of Managers is impartially considered, and a few Periods bestowed on those darlings of the Publick, Mr G k, Mr F te, Mrs P d, &c." Addressed to Rich it is criticism of his personnel policies as manager, with side comments on his morals, and some on his performances: of his Orpheus and Eurydice, the author agrees that three flaming scenes of Hell, now left out, should have been omitted from the beginning. The Serpent, however, generally behaves himself so well, that "I have had more real pleasure in his appearance than if he had been a living one." Dislikes his replacing Ryan with Hallam, dislikes his abuse of Mrs Pritchard, criticizes his casting Hippisley as Polonius, since Polonius requires more than Hippisley can give, the latter being able to act only in the comic way.

Event Comment: Benefit Hallam. [Tickets at Hallam's, next the Chapel, Great Queen Street. Tickets for Mullart also taken.] Receipts: money #28 17s.; seals #78 12s. (Account Book); #110 (Rylands MS.). [Hallam was charged #50 for his benefit.