Event Comment: Benefit for Champness and Mrs Scott. House Charges #69 14s. 6d. Profits to Champness and Mrs Scott #55 2s. 6d. Receipts: #124 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Ackman. Tickets to be had at Pond's in the Great Piazza, Covent Garden; and of Mr Johnston, at the Theatre. House charges #84. Profit to Ackman #123 10s.; Paid Mr Davies's note to Liddell, #3 3s.; Paid extra Flute and Hautboy 10s.; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s. Receipts: #207 10s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (box-book and house-keeper). Tickets deliver'd out for The Miser will be taken. Charges #98 19s. Deficit to Sarjant #9 11s. 6d., cover'd by tickets: #156 3s. for (Box 414; Pit 311; Gallery 60) (Account Book). Receipts: #78 7s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede, Hollingsworth and Master Jones. Tickets deliver'd by Abbot, Wilkinson, Mrs Woolley, Pilford, T. Ansell, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Trott, Sherrat, Whately, Doe, Mrs Paddick, Claridge, and Curteen will be taken. [No charges. House took half value of tickets plus ready receipts of #20 10s.] Receipts: #20 10s. (Account Book). @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 29 47 42 #18 10s. #9 5s.@Hollingsworth 3 6 17 #3 7s. #1 13s. 6d.@Mrs Jones - - - - -@Abbott 17 71 79 #22 16s. #11 8s.@Wilkinson 27 34 1 #11 19s. #5 19s. 6d.@Mrs Woolley 12 44 56 #15 4s. #7 12s.@Pilfold 36 249 93 #55 13s. #27 16s. 6d.@Ansell 11 58 60 #17 9s. #8 14s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 37 44 24 #18 5s. #9 2s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 17 3 6 #5 6s. #2 13s.@Sharratt - 21 15 #4 13s. #2 6s. 6d.@Whatley - 9 35 #4 17s. #2 8s. 6d.@Doe 2 27 41 #8 13s. #4 6s. 6d.@Mrs Paddick 5 14 18 #5 3s. #2 11s. 6d.@Claridge 7 27 29 #8 14s. #4 7s.@Curteen 30 28 60 #17 14s. #8 17s.@Total 233 682 576 #218 3s. #109 1s. 6d.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Hartle, Mas. Blurton, Walters, Symonds, Francis, and Furkins. Tickets deliver'd by Flight, Longley, Singleton, Shuter, Norbury, Roberts, Frensdorff, Miller, Stevenson, Reed, Robson, and Walker, will be taken. On Monday next (the thirteenth Night) the last New Comedy She Stoops to Conquor...with Harlequin Sorcerer. [No charges. House took half-value of tickets, plus ready-money receipts of #19 2s. 6d. (Account Book).] @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Mrs Hartle .. .. .. .. ..@Mas. Blurton 5 11 36 #6 10s. #3 5s.@Walters 5 78 92 #22 3s. #11 1s. 6d.@Symonds 9 68 51 #17 11s. #8 15s. 6d.@Francis 3 33 38 #9 10s. #4 15s.@Furkins 18 45 30 #14 5s. #7 2s. 6d.@Flight .. 41 65 #12 13s. #6 6s. 6d.@Longley 9 156 57 #31 7s. #15 13s. 6d.@Singleton .. 6 14 #2 6s. #1 3s.@Shuter .. 55 16 #9 17s. #4 18s. 6d.@Norbury 10 12 19 #26 4s. #3 2s.@Roberts 6 134 48 #26 8s. #13 4s.@Frensdorf 3 44 19 #9 5s. #4 12s. 6d.@Miller 7 87 84 #18 14s. #9 7s.@Stephenson 12 74 71 #21 4s. #10 12s.@Mrs Read 5 16 37 #7 7s. #3 13s. 6d.@Robson 3 88 35 #17 9s. #8 14s. 6d.@Walker .. 34 61 #11 4s. #5 12s.@Total 95 882 773 #243 17s. #121 18s. 6d.

Event Comment: Paid Mrs Rich andCo. one year's rent for House in Bow Passage due Mich. last #40. Receipts: #140 11s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: A Comedy [by William Kenrick] never performed before. [The play failed to succeed. Kenrick accounts for the failure in his Preface to the 1773 edition by reference to the Macklin affair (See 23 Oct., 30 Oct. and 18 Nov.) He quotes from the Public Advertiser (22 Nov.): "On Saturday last a new comedy called the Duellist was performed, for the first time, at Covent Garden Theatre. Previous to the curtain being drawn up, the following written handbill was dispersed about the house. 'Mr Macklin has been pursued by a malicious party to such a pitch of rancour, that at last they have succeeded so far in their cursed designs, as to get him discharged this theatre, and thereby have deprived him of the means of a livelihood; therefore if the public have any spirit, they will not suffer the new play to begin till Mr Colman promises that Mr Macklin shall be engaged again.' This handbill found its way into the green-room, and had a very visible effect on the performers, as was plainly evident from their confusion. The piece was received with great marks of approbation, and given out again for Monday, which was attended with some hissing, but that was greatly overpowered by the general applause of the audience. The overture to Thomas and Sally being attended to with silence, the greatest part of the author's friends quitted the theatre; which being taken advantage of by a party in the gallery, a riot ensued, and the entertainment was not suffered to go on till another play was given out for Monday." Kenrick agrees with this account, then analyses several other objections which he dismisses, to wit, in the play (a) too lengthy a satire on lawyers, (b) an indelicate passage in Latin (omitted from the printed version); in the audience, a conspiracy of Garrick and Bickerstaffe against him; and lack of a claque of his own friends to carry through their suport of him. Macklin's name appears on the playroll this night, but only for a accumulated 4 days of pay #8 16s. (Account Book).] Receipts: #221 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Receipts: #86 (Account Book). Charges #81 15s. Profit to Society #4 5s., plus #106 17s. from tickets (Box 242; Pit 309) (Account Book). Benefit for Use of the Society at the Thatched-House Tavern For the release and discharge of persons imprisoned for small debts. [The Epilogue was written by Cumberland. (See Folger Library Theatrical Clippings). The Curtain rises and discovers a prison; at some distance a woman, poorly habited, and in a disconsolate attitude; after standing some time montionless, in a posture of fixed attention she speaks]: @Woman: Thou loathsome dungeon in whose dreary womb@The pining Debtor finds a living tomb;@Where 'midst the Clank of Chains and Dismal yells@Of shakled felons my sad husband dwells;@From his dark cell, oh give him to my view!@Let him look forth and take a last adieu.@ [As she advances towards the prison, a person in Gentleman's apparel accosts her.] @Man: Stay, Child of Sorrow, thou whose piercing groans@Might move to pity e'en these senseless stones.@Why dost thou bend thy melancholy way@To that Drear Dungeon? Child of Sorrow stay.@Woman: Why should I stay, or my sad Griefs impart?@Can there be pity in a Human heart?@Away and let me die.@ [...The Man suggests a Human heart can have pity] @Woman: If there be such, O lead me to their sight,@And let me plead a wretched sufferer's right:@Can there be Truth, Humanity or Sense@In laws that make Misfortune an offence?@ [Her husband was a God-fearing weaver who fell ill for 10 weeks, lost his job and was seized upon by a relentless creditor.] @Steel'd to their trade, and deaf to all our cries,@Relentless ruffians seize their legal prize;@From my fond arms a dying Husband tear@And plunge their victims in a dungeon there!@Man: Enough! go speak the healing words of peace@To thy sad mate, and bear him this release;@Tell him the Muse, which on these Scenes attend@That balsam to his wounded spirit sends.@And Know this Truth thyself, 'tis not alone@The Preacher's pulpit and the Monarch's throne@That Charity frequents; but in this age,@She guides the Theatre and treads the stage;@Lo! She is present, cast your eyes around,@And here in each Spectator's heart she's found.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Catley, being the last time, but one, of her performing this season. Box, Pit and Gallery Tickets to be had of Mr Sarjant at the Stage Door. Charges #65 6s. Profit to Miss Catley #136 5s.; plus #67 11s. from tickets (Box 232; Pit 49; Gallery 22). Paid one year's Rector's Rate for theatre due Xmas last #8 15s., Watch rate #14 11s. 8d., and half year's paving rate due Mich. last #26 5s. Paid Recor's rate (one year's due Xmas last) for House in Bow Passage, 6s. 3d, and watch rate for ditto 10s. 8d. Receipts: #201 5s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Paid for 2 extra Flutes & Guitars (29 ultimo incl.) #2 5s. (Treasurer's Book). [This month was published Bell's edition of Shakespeare's acting plays, 'as performed at the Theatres Royal in London, requlated from the Prompt Books of each House, by permission of the managers, with notes critical and illustrative by the author of the Dramatic Censors, 5 vols. 12 mo. Price 15s."] Receipts: #246 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mr Daigueville, late Ballet-Master, and First Dancer, at Drury Lane Playhouse begs leave to acquaint the Nobility and Gentry, that he continues to teach the Minuet, Louvre, Cotillions, Allemande, Minuet Dauphine, Country Dances, &c. at his house in King-Square Court, Dean St. Soho. Receipts: #251 14s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. Eighth time (Treasurer's Book). For benefit of House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #249 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. This was Mr Bannister's Night but the Managers bought it. House (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #245 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid present to Messrs Younger & Kennedy [burnt out] #21 (Treasurer's Book). [See further payments to Kennedy 25 May. See also cg 12 May. An account of the fire given in Westminster Magazine, May 1774, p. 267: Mr and Mrs Kennedy who directed the company of performers at Richmond last summer were upon a visit to Mr Younger." Kennedy and Younger escaped, but Mrs Kennedy and a young friend, who had been reading in bed and who had fallen asleep without putting out the candle, were burned to death. Fire broke out at 2 o'clock in the morning.] Receipts: #261 11s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Pitt and Stoppelaer. Charges #67 15s. Deficit to each #4 6s. 9d., cover'd by income from tickets: Mrs Pitt #53 7s. (Box 48; Pit 185; Gallery 136); Stopplear, #86 5s. (Box 112; Pit 271; Gallery 176). Paid Bates for performing 4 nights in the Sorcerer to 11 Oct. last 10s., 5 nights in Henry VIII to 14 Feb. last #1 5s., and 5 nights in the Fair to 13 Nov. last 5s. Paid half year's Poor's rate for the theatre due Lady day last, #24 15s. 10d., and ditto for House in Bow Passage 17s. 9d. Receipts: #59 1s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Stede and T. Ansell. Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Tickets deliver'd by Pilfold, Sherratt, Wilkinson, Mrs Hitchcock, Widow Emery, Widow Trott, Claridge and Doe will be taken as well as those delivered for Rule a Wife. Receipts: #39 15s. 6d. (Account Book). [No charges. House received the ready money receipts plus half-value of the tickets delivered]: @Tickets Box Pit Gallery Value Half Value@Miss Stede 21 41 53 #16 14s. #8 7s.@Ansell 10 61 47 #16 7s. #8 3s. 6d.@Pilfold 43 284 74 #60 15s. #30 7s. 6d.@Sharratt .. 14 10 #3 2s. #1 11s.@Wilkinson 34 55 12 #17 19s. #8 19s. 6d.@Mrs Hitchcock 24 50 23 #14 6s. #7 3s.@Mrs Emery 15 84 100 #26 7s. #13 3s. 6d.@Mrs Trott 18 4 5 #5 12s. #2 16s.@Claridge 12 66 52 #18 2s. #9 1s.@Doe .. 36 54 #10 16s. #5 8s.@Total 177 685 430 #190 #95@

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Charges #83 16s. Deficit to Sarjant #24 19s., cover'd by income from tickets, #168 14s. (Box 467; Pit 293; Gallery 80). Paid Cooper (printer) #40 15s. and Huddy (rope merchant) #2 11s. Receipts: #58 17s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Last time of performing the Mainpiece this season. Thirteenth and last time this season of performing the afterpiece. House (Hopkins Diary). Paid Chorus 3 nights (this incl.) #5 6s. 6d. Receipts: #134 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [The Nabob and The Padlock announced on 17 May but withdrawn; evidently players were not released by patent houses.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: In three acts altered from Shakespeare. Afterpiece, a New Pastoral Masque and Pantomime interspersed. The Music composed by Fisher. The scenes painted by Messrs Dahl, Richards and Carver. Nothing under Full Prices will be taken. Books of Songs, &c. sold in Theatre. The words of the Masque taken chiefly from Ben Johnson (playbill). [DNB s.v. "Jonson," suggests The Haddington Masque, 1608, with the "Hue and Cry after Cupid" material as the source. The reviewer for the Westminster Magazine commented on the performance of 25 November, after outlining the story: "Such are the outlines of The Druids, whick is a hetereogeneous jumble of monstrous absurdities; and if considered merely as a vehicle for music, dances, and decorations, is, in our opinion, far inferior to the dramatic monstrum horrendum of the other House [The Maid of the Oaks]. Both pieces, however, are equally an insult on the understanding and judgments of the Public, and exhibit striking proofs of the miserably depraved state of the English theatre, whose entertainments are at present conducted by Managers either destitute of taste and abilities or actuated by no other than the paltry, despicable motives of vanity, prejudice, and avarice,"]

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. [From the Westminster Magazine for March: "On Friday the third instant the Entertainments peculiar to this season commenced. Messrs Bach and Abel were first, and have been at each successive Oratorio since (one night excepted when the King and Queen favored Mr Stanley, with bringing the only good House he has hitherto had), honoured with the presence of their Majesties, who have been accused, we think justly, of partiality to these foreigners, in overlooking Mr Stanley's past services and great personal merits. Justice, however, requires us to observe, that both in point of vocal and instrumental performers, the former have displayed a striking superiority over the latter. The singers at Messrs Bach and Abel's are, Parry, Corse, Mrs Weichsel, Miss Brown and Sga Corri. At Drury Lane, Norris, Reinhold, Mrs Mattocks, Mrs Barthelemon, and a young Lady from the Founding Hospital."

Event Comment: Matilda deferr'd Reddish ill. Afterpiece: Performed for the last time this Season. Mr Reddish was to have play'd in Matilda to Night but Sent word late last Night that he could not play Mr Brereton Play'd Posthumus & very well had great Applause-House (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd stopages #16 17s. 6d. Paid salary list #566 6s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #88 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: For House. By Their Majesties's Command, 8th night (Treasurer's Book). Paid Cleansing & Lighting rate 1 year to Lady Day last, for St Martin's #20 2s.; half yrs. Land and Window Tax to Lady Day last for ditto #40 10s. 1d.; Easter Offering 10s. 6d.; Tallow chandler's 9th Bill #31 1s. 3d.; Mr Baddeley in part of #60 in liew of Benefit (remitting #30 to his credit) #30. Receipts: #211 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Sarjant (Box-book and House-keeper). Doors open half past 5. To Begin at half past 6 o'clock

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Particular Desire. House. So Ends the Season 56 different Plays 37 different Farces 188 Nights in all (Hopkins Diary). Paid Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; Subscription to Chas Standen #1 1s.; Returned Mr J. Palmer part of his Benefit Balance #30; Sga Hidou in full of 500 Guineas for this season #27 5s. Receipts: #118 14s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). After season receipts and expenses (Treasurers's Book). Receipts: 29 May: Stopages #6 1s.; Watson & Mortimer #25 returned from cash advanced at beginning of season; Mrs Smith in full of debt #14. 2 June: Mr Heath's rent 1 yr to Xmas last #10; Mr Brereton's salary stopt & Benefit after money 3rd May #17 11s. 6d.; Ditto for Reddish #10; Ditto for Dibdin #24 12s. 24 June: Public Advertiser this season #50; Ditto for Gazetter #50; Mr Pope one yrs rent to Lady Day last (#1 10s. land tax deducted) #28 10s.; Harrison's rent ditto (#8 15s. deducted) #34 18s. 4d.; also deducted #2 6s. 8d. sewer's tax; Mr Parsonage 1 yrs ditto (#5 land tax and 15s. Repairs deducted) #42 5s.; Late Mr Banks 1 yrs ditto #3; Their Majesties account #80. 30 June: Mr Burges, 1 yrs rent to Xmas last (#4 4s. land tax deducted) #16 16s.; Discount on #362 1s. 3d. amount of tallow chandler's 10 Bills this season at 8%-#28 19s. 2d.; Remainder of Sinking Fund, #159 12s.; Mr Reddish's Benefit Acct #78 16s. 6d. 15 July: Sundry salary forfeits taken up by Evans #144 18s. 4d.; Music forfeits #18 4s. 6d. B. Richards forfeits #6 12s. Expenditures: 29 May: Salary List #510 6s.; Davies on note #9 9s.; Slingsby in full of #350 for this season #3 1s. 8d.; Mrs Yates ditto of #800 this season 11s. 8d.; Mr Courtney Chorus 27 nights at 5s. per night in full #6 15s.; Advanced to Everard to compleat his ticket acct #1 5s. 6d.; Mr Page on note #5 5s.; Mr Page in full of #25 this season #1 12s. 6d. 3 June: Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; King in full of #500 salary #32 10s.; Mrs Moffat, dresser, per order D. Garrick #5 5s.; Lamash on note #6 15s.; One yrs watch & rector's rate to Lady Day last (Cov. Garden) #1 10s. 24 June: Repaid Mr Bannister his Bt balance #35 16s. 6d.; Lent Mr Baddeley per order Mr D. Garrick #20; Mr G. Garrick in full of #400, #50; Mr Smart, attending practices of Dances #10 10s.; Mr Pope's bill for Wigs #17 7s. 6d., and his bill for 64 extra nights for dressing #6 8s.; Mr D. Richards 31 weeks 1 day extra salary #31 3s. 4d.; Chaise to Hampton, Mr Evans & Becket 19s. 8d.; J. French on acct #7 7s. 30 June: Mr Vernon's balance of Acct in full #18 9s. 6d.; Mrs Chitty for coals #77; Barrow & Co. for Oil #187 6s. 6d.; Burges (bricklayer) #134 11s.; Tallow chandler's 10th and last bill #28 4s. 10d.; Chettell (timber merchant) #76 12s. 6d.; R. Palmer Jr 47 nights in Maid of Oaks and Harlequin's Jacket #4 14s.; Loss on sale of 75 Guineas & half light cash of Sinking Fund #3 9s. 6d. 5 July: Bibb (sword cutler) #3 6s.; Scott (copper laceman) #100 3s.; Powney (stationer) #5 16s.; Mrs Jones (worsted lace) &c. #8 2s.; Hopkins & Co. (ironmongers) #33 3s. 6d.; Blakes (hatter) #10 4s.; Jennings (glover & furrier) #23 7s. 6d.; Mrs Lowe@and@Co. (glaziers) #2 16s.; Mr Hadley (engine maker) #13; Thomson (smith) #14 9s.; Carter (scowrer) #9 4s.; Cubitt (tinman) #4 8s. 6d.; Hewetson & Co. (laceman) #17 2s. 6d.; Gardner (shoemaker) #3 19s. 7 July: Waller & Co. (hosiers) #24 4s. 6d.; Carpue (silk dyer) #8 10s. 6d.; Cropley (linen draper) #13 9s. 6d.; Mr Knyvett (harpsichord performer) 14 nights #5 5s.; Mrs Vaughan (haberdasher) #13 12s.; J. French on Acct #8 8s.; Cole (turner) #35 5s. 6d. 12 July: Mr Stafford (glassman) per Mr Johnston #29 5s. 6d.; Mr King & Co. for Women's cloaths, per Mr Johnston #10; Mrs Garwood (laundress) per Mr Johnston #15 15s.; Mr Palmer for Spermacetti Candles, per Mr Johnston, #172 4s. 15 July: J. French on Acct #15 15s.; J. Johnston's Music Bill, #12 11s. 10d.; Repaid Mr Reddish's Benefit Acct to Mr Burns for his creditors, #78 16s. 6d. 19 July: Lent to Miss Berkley on note #5 5s.; Mr Victor's Gratuity #30, and two weeks' extra salary #5; Mr Evans in lieu of Benefit #42 and two week's extra salary #3. Books closed and balanced paid. VIZ. Total income #33,614 16s. 6d. Total profit #389 5s. 7d. Total expense #29,719 10s. 11d. Paid Patentees #2840. To Clutterbuck #1000. Left in Victor's hands carried to next season 55 5s. 7d