Event Comment: The Twenty-Third Day. Daily Advertiser, 18 Aug.: Last Saturday John Sterne was committed to Newgate by Justice Welch, for the Murder of Mr Matthews, an eminent Surgeon in Brook St., Holborn. [Sterne had been an usher in Mathews' Academy, was discharged, but Matthews let Sterne live in Matthews' house for a long time, then expelled him and put his belongings on the stairs. On Friday 15 Aug. Sterne got two pistols and came back to Owen's Coffee House. Here] he waited three Hours for Mr Matthews, who was gone with a Friend to the little Theatre in the Haymarket and afterwards into Company at the Pewter Platter, a publick house in Cross St. [There Sterne shot Matthews.

Event Comment: We are well informed that Mr Shuter intends to entertain the Town, at his Great Tiled Booth on the Bowling Green, Southwark, during the Time of the Fair, which begins on Thursday next, with a New Entertainment of Wit and Humour. Many wagers are depending among the Theatrical Geniuses upon the Merit and Execution of this Piece: and the Odds are it is the best that ever appeared in this Way. The knowing Ones say, those who take the Odds will be fairly taken in: for Mr Shuter will start in fine Order, to win this Plate, in such a handsome manner as shall give entire Satisfaction to all the Spectators. A sufficient number of Theatrical Racers are already entered, and two remarkable Spanish Courcers will enter at the Post, so that excellent Sport may be depended upon (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit for Beard. Last time of performing till Easter Holidays. Pit and Boxes to be laid together. Several of Mr Beard's Friends being pre-engag'd for Monday 23 March, advertised for his benefit, and Mr Rich having kindly given him Saturday the 14th, he humbly hopes (the shortness of the Time not permitting him to wait on his Friends as usual) those Ladies and Gentlemen who desire to favour him with their presence, will be pleased to sen for their tickets and places, to his House next Old Slaughter's Coffee House in St Martin's Lane. Receipts: #100 2s. 6d. plus #206 15s. from tickets (Box and Pit 827) (Account Book). Charges: #63 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Holland. [Farce is the first act of Taste (Foote) connected with a New additional act (never perform'd before) call'd Modern Tragedy written by Mr Foote, with a new character (Genest, IV, 661.] Holland's Bt. deferred till this date so that Mr Garrick may have time to be prepared in the Character of Mercutio" (Folger Bill). The new last act to Taste--great hissed--and almost d-d (Hopkins MS Notes)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr and Mrs Davies. Part of Pit laid into Boxes

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. No Building on Stage. Tickets deliver'd out for Macbeth will be taken. Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, at Mr Trouton's in Surry-Street in the strand; and of Mr Sarjant at the stage Door where places for the Boxes may be taken

Event Comment: full column letter to the public signed by John Beard appeared in the Public Advertiser announcing his agreement to the half-price demands of the rioters, and excusing himself for not acquiescing with more alacrity on the night of the demand. His excuse was that he was merely manager for other proprietors, and that property interest was involved in the financial sacrifice he was asked to make. He noted further reasons for not immediately giving in to demands of the rioters: Mr Beard had at that time received several anonymous threatening letters and notes concerning many other branches of what they called Reformation. He was ordered by one to add a farce to Love in a Village, or the House should be pulled about his ears. By andther he was commanded to put a stop to the farther representation of that Opera, upon the penalty of enforcing his compliance by a Riot the next night of performance, and very lately received certain information of meetings, which have already been held, and an Association forming to reduce the prices at the Theatre to what they were forty years since, tho' it is notorious the Expence of Theatrical Entertainments are more than doubled. For these reasons he looked upon the Occasion of the present disturbance only as a prelude to future violence; as the first not the last salutation of this extraordinary kind to be expected, and apprehended that too easy an acquiescence might possibly prove rather encouragement than prevention. Nevertheless in gratitude for the many favours and indulgencies received from the Publick, and from an earnest desire to promote that order and decorum so essential in all Public Assemblies, the Proprietors have now jointly authorized Mr Beard to declare that they shall think themselves equally bound with the managers of the other Theatre to an observance of those limitations which they have agreed to." This letter repeated in Public Advertiser, 3 March.

Event Comment: As Signora Mattei will leave England soon after the Operas are over; and as Mr Crawford will have no further concern with the Management of Operas, all the Cloaths used in the Burlettas and Dances, with many other articles, being his own Property and that of Signora Mattei's, will be sold. The particulars of which may be had of Mr Crawford at the finishing of the season

Event Comment: By Particular Desire of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free Masons, and By Authority. Benefit for Brother Lauder. Tickets at Berwick St., at the Black Boy, near the Hermitage Bridge. To begin at Seven. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Mr Holland but coolly receiv'd in Oakly, at first. The last Scene in the Genii the Wings did not change on Account of the Barrel being broke (Hopkins). Oakly by Mr Holland, First time (Cross Diary). Receipts: #124 18s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Books of the Farce to be had at the Theatre. Mr Powell's first appearance in Jaffier. Got much applause (Hopkins). Mr Powell's first appearance in Jaffier--he performed the first part of it with feeling, but in the fourth act he was wild, and wanted power--But was much applauded (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Tomorrow, The Midsummer Night's Dream, Written by Shakespear; with Alterations; Interspersed with Airs, Compos'd by the most eminent English Masters. Receipts: #235 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: A New Comedy Written by Mrs Sheridan. This play was well Acted, but the subject seem'd to displease. The three first Acts pass'd off tolerably; in 4 Act they begun to hiss, & continued it to the End of the play. When Mr Havard went forward & Address'd the Audience &c. as follows Ladies & Gentn as Some passages in the play had given offence, they should be omitted the Next Night. Much hissing, & many Cry'd out No more! no more &c. (Hopkins). Much Hiss'd (Cross Diary). A new Comedy (The Dupe) wrote by Mrs Sheridan.--This play was very well acted,--but the subject much displeased.--in 4th act much hissing, and so on to the end. When Mr Havard told the audience as some passages in the play had given offence, they should be omitted the next night, much hissing and many cried out, "No more, No more." (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #167 18s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: LLusignan by Mr Powell (first time) (Hopkins). Mr Powell played Lusignan with great Feeling, but spoke much too low, and cryed too much (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Full Prices. Receipts: #241 7s. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: CCarlos by Mr Holland 1st time (Hopkins). Cannot say much for Mr Holland in Carlos (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #171 (MacMillan)

Event Comment: There will not be any Tickets sold at the Office for this Night. Those disappointed from not being able to get in to the performance on Saturday last shall be admitted this evening at Siroe or on Saturday next when Leucippo will be performed again; but in case any Lady or Gentleman should choose rather to have their money, it will be paid at the treasurer's office at the theatre this morning, from ten to three O'clock, on returning the tickets. As every precaution was taken to facilitate the entrance of the company by obtaining an additional guard, besides two magistrates who were so kind as to attend with an additional number of constables; nevertheless the weight was so great from the throng that the centinels and the peace officers were forced from their posts, the doors burst open and broke to pieces, to the very great prejudice of the manager. Mr Giardini humbly hopes that those...who had not the opportunity of paying when they were carried in by the torrent, will be so good as to send their money to Mr Spilsbury. Picked up at the Opera House Last Saturday Night a black satin cloak lined with White and a black lace round it. Recovery may be had of Major Spinnage for the cost of the advertising

Event Comment: In the last Scene of the Pantomime from the Galleries some hissing; some Crying off! &c. till Mr King adress'd the Audience as follows: Ladies & Gentlemen. If this Token of your disapprobation Proceeds from the Mad Scene being left out, give me leave to Assure you, Many Applications have been made to the Managers to have it omitted upon which they were quiet (Hopkins). In the last scene of the Pantomime from the Gallery a Great noise, and hissing, and crying Off, off-the mad Scene &c. Mr King goes forward, and addressed the audience-'Ladies and Gentlemen, if this token of your disapprobation, proceeds from the Mad scene being left [out]; I do assure you there were many applications made to the managers that it might be omitted, as they thought that unhappiness of human being too melancholy for a diversion (Hopkins Diary-MacMillan). Receipts: #180 7s. (MacMillan)