Event Comment: HHorace Walpole to Sir Horace Mann, 29 March: The Town flocks to a new play of Thomson's call'd Tancred and Sigismunda: it is very dull: I have read it. I cannot bear modern poetry; these refiners of the purity of the stage, and of the incorrectness of English verse, are most woefully insipid. -Toynbee, Letters of Horace Walpole, II, 82

Event Comment: Will be perform'd several new exercises of Rope Dancing and Tumbling, by M. Duge, Vangable and others, divided into two Parts. Boxes [as 26 Dec. 1744]. Between the two Parts of the Exercises will be given gratis the Tempest as alter'd by Mr Dryden and Sir William Davenant from Shakespear. 7 p.m

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh. Afterpiece: By Desire

Event Comment: Tickets deliver'd out by Mr Davis will be taken. [Bransby doubled in Oxford and Tyrrel. The General Advertiser quoted a long Epilogue on the Birthday of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland Written by the Farmer (who had taken over the role of Swift's Drapier) and spoken by Garrick in Dublin. It also quoted the following long puff for Ray's Benefit to come]: Sir, As long acquaintance best entitles us to friendly good natured offices, and as no more proper time can be found to confer them than when the person is in the Decline of life, give me leave to recommend (thro' your means) Mr Ray of Drury Lane Theatre, the oldest actor now belonging to that House, to the Favour of the Town, at his ensuing Benefit next Saturday. A person who once agreeably entertained the Public, should always feel the warmth of their Indulgence, tho' the Infirmities of Old age may have render'd him less pleasing than formerly. This Application is therefore meant to those friends of his, whom Distance of time, and change of Situation may have made it impossible any other way to acquaint them, that The Merchant of Venice is to be acted for his Benefit on Saturday next; therefore 'tis hoped they will be so kind as to send for his Tickets to Mr Hobson, in the Playhouse Passage, or to Mr Ray's lodgings, the second Door in Queen's Court, Great Queen St., Lincoln's Inn Fields, and the Favour will ever be greatly acknowledged by him

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser, Sir: I have frequently observ'd particular Notice has been taken in your paper of particular Merit, I hope therefore you'll allow room for this short Epistle--I am a great Lover of Public Diversions, especially such as can agreeably amuse, or afford the highest Mirth, without offense to Sense of Decency; Of this kind are the two new dances compos'd by Salomon, and perform'd by him, Mr Cook, Mr Muilment, Madem Violette, Sga Padouana, and the young little Salomon, and others. To say they are excellent in their way is barely doing 'em justice; but in these Dances they may be said to have excell'd themselves. The first, tho' a kind of Serious Pastoral Ballet afforded the Audience great Pleasure; and I believe never did three dancers in a Pas Trois, altogether equal the Execution of Sg Salomon, Madem Violette, and Mr Cook; there was an Elegance peculiar to herself that shone thro' her whole performance. The other Entertainment is the representation of a Fair, to which People of all degrees and nations are suppos'd to resort, it may not improperly be stil'd a very High Piece of Low Humour; and caused as much laughter and applause as the strongest Farce ever produc'd, without offending the Modesty of the Ladies. We have had many performers from abroad, but Sg Salamon and Violette so inimitably express their characters in this entertainment, that I think they excel what we have hitherto seen; and very much deserve the Encouragement of the Town, I am, &c

Event Comment: This Day at Noon, exactly at Twelve o'Clock...Mr Foote begs the favour of his Friends to come and drink a Dish of Chocolate with him; and 'tis hoped there will be a great deal of good company, and some joyous Spirits; he will endeavour to make the Morning as Diverting as possible. (Tickets for the Entertainment to be had at George's Coffee House, Temple Bar, without which no Person will be admitted.--Daily Advertiser, 24 April only.) Any Gentlemen or Lady, with or without Tickets, will be admitted. Sir Dilberry Diddle will be there and Lady Betty Frisk has absolutely promised. [Repeated 27 April.

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Horton. [A "puff" for Leveridge's forthcoming benefit (31 March) in a letter to the General Advertiser, followed by 3 stanzas of verse]: Sir, The Remembrance of the pleasure I have often receiv'd, in a series of years, by hearing Mr Leveridge's Performances on the stage, occasion'd the following Lines: which however artless they are wrote, will I dare say give no offense to the good natur'd part of Mankind. I am your constant reader. T.H.: @I Whilst Garrick justly claims applause,@Old Leveridge humbly sues,@That you'll not quite neglect his cause@Nor now his suit refuse.@Whilst youthful vigor tun'd his voice@With song he rais'd the heart;@To cheer that voice, now chilled with Age@Becomes a noble part.@Then shew that faithful service past@Your thoughts does still employ;@And by your num'rous Presence grac'd@Revive old age with joy.

Event Comment: Benefit for Goodall. A concert etc. 6 p.m. Afterpiece: Not acted 20 years [See gf 25 Nov. 1745], written by the last celebrated Mr Griffin. Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser: Sir: I beg leave by means of your paper, to acquaint the friends of Tom Harbin, that he intends shortly to have a Benefit at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden: Having in consequebce of the advice of many of them, apply'd himself to Mr Rich, on that account who very generously and readily said he would contribute anything in his power to serve him; and as one night of the week might be better than another, (as his Interest lay) he gave him his choice, whereupon he chose Wednesday, as being a night of most leisure amongst people eminent in trade, on whom the city depends. He persuades himself that those who have laughed with him, will not laugh at him for requesting a favour (which his circumstances could never be supposed to put him above accepting) from persons of affluent fortunes, which the generality of his friends are; and who Experienc'd good nature, he doubts not, will serve him on this occasion. In a few days Publick notice will be given of the time, the Play, &c. I am &c. Jack Friendly, Grigsby's Coffee House, Nov. 7, 1748. [See General Advertiser, 8 Nov. See also 14 Dec.

Event Comment: To the Author of the General Advertiser. Sir: When I read the letter in your paper [see 7 Nov.] concerning Tom Harbin's intention of having a Benefit at Covent Garden, I own I was much pleas'd, as it would give me the opportunity of making him merry, who has often made me so: But I have since been in some concern to hear he was to perform himself--I would not have him appear in an Ill-Light; and as it is easy to conceive what confusion a Man unus'd to the stage must be in, to appear on it, I would in Friendship advise him to desist from that design.-If he does it from an opinion of his Capacity, I am sorry for him: but if it is only to draw people together, I think he need not have any Apprehensions on that Account:--For there ever was and ever will be in London, a number of Persons of Fortune and Generosity, sufficient to do what he wants, whenever they have an Inclination to serve a man they like.--And as he is Generally allow'd to be what is call'd a Fiddle in Company, and plays as often as anybody, it would be but right to keep him in tune: For my part I shall use my interest in his Favour and wish him success with his Acquaintance. I am &c. T. Meanwell. Lloyd's Coffee House, 14 Nov. [See 14 Dec.

Event Comment: Published at 1s. 6d. Romeo and Juliet, revised by Theo. Cibber, first rev[ived] in Sept. 1744 at the Theatre in the Haymarket. Now acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Great objects only strike the Gen'rous Heart@Praise the Sublime, o'er look the Mortal Part@Be there your judgment, Here your Candor shown@Small is our Portion-and we wish 'Twere none.-Prologue to Comus alter'd, &c. To which is added a Serio-Comic Apology for part of the life of Theophilus Cibber, Comedian, written by himself. Interspers'd with Memoirs and Anecdotes relating to the Stage managements, Theatrical Resolutions, &c., also Cursory Observations on some Pribcipal players. Particularly, Mr Quin, Ryan, Delane, Mrs Woffington, Mrs Ward, Miss Bellamy, Mr Garrick, Barry, Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard and others. Likewise Original Letters that passed between the late Sir Thomas deVeil and Mr Theophilus Cibber relating to the Stage Act. "Each Puny Critic can Objections raise@The Greatest still is Knowing when to praise,"-Buckingham. Concluding with a Copy of Verses called The Contrite Comedian's Confession. Printed for C. Corbett &c. (General Advertiser). [This pamphlet details Cibber's troubles with Fleetwood during the years 1743-46.] Receipts: #160 (Cross); #151 11s. (Powel)

Event Comment: To the Printer of the General Advertiser, &c Sir: Imagine a heart satisfy'd beyond its wishes, and overflowing with gratitude; conceive this to be your situation, and then help me to words to empress my feeling. [Tom Harbin inserted a long letter of thanks to the numerous audience wnich appeared at his benefit the night before.

Event Comment: Benefit for Delane. To Mr H-. Sir: A Number of your Friends have wished to see performed the Oratorio of Joshua, which, if you would direct to be performed this season, would be much gratified, and in particular, Your Humble Servant, A Virtuoso (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: Benefit Sir Gregory Gazette and his Son Tim, viz. Messrs. Shuter and Costollo. To begin exactly half an hour after six. Prices: 4s., 2s. 6d., 1s. 6d

Event Comment: The Play of Hamlet is oblig'd to be deferr'd. [An extra notice appeared in the General Advertiser: This evening the Play of the Provok'd Wife will be perform'd at Drury Lane, the parts of Sir John and Lady Brute to be performed by Garrick and Mrs Pritchard."] Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Event Comment: Les Comediens Francais representeront aujourdhui...par Suscription. [To begin at six o'clock.Prices: 5s., 3s., 2s. Mainpiece]: Comedie du Nouveau Theatre Italien. [Afterpiece]: Opera comique. On Tuesday night there was a great Disturbance...at the French Play, it being the Night of Opening; the first Act was very much disturbed and some Persons were wounded (Daily Advertiser, 16 Nov.). [Same paper carries advertisement offering reward for identification of five or six men who had assaulted a person in the gallery; "they seemed to come from the upper Side-Boxes on the right Hand of the Stage; they were of the first Party that came into the Gallery with Swords."] Whereas it has been maliciously reported...that I [Lord Trentham] was active in the Disturbance...last Tuesday Night: I do declare...that I was neither in the Pit nor Gallery where the Disturbance happened during the Time of Performance...nor was I present at the first and chief Disturbance (Daily Advertiser, 20 Nov.). [Lord Trentham was at the time running against Sir George Vandeput for parliament. The latter led by 100-150 votes until the very last moment when Trentham won by 175. A recount was called for.

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Paid salary list #305 15s. 6d.; Mrs Hobson a bill 14s. 9d.; Paid Mr Mattocks as per order #1 1s.; Paid Mr Cartony for 12 yds. silver lace #9 12s.; Bought 12 lbs. Lampwicke #1 (Treasurer's Book). Next Monday will be reviv'd a Comedy (not acted these 30 years) call'd Friendship in Fashion, written by Otway. Receipts: #160 (Cross); #162 6s. (Treasurer's Book). Daily Advertiser: To Mr W-d, Sir, After the many defeats you have already suffer'd in the Mimical War between us, to which Ireland as well as England have been laughing witnesses; I was greatly surpris'd to hear that you again intended to provoke my future vengeance, by dressing at me in the character of Malagene, which you are to perform in the reviv'd play Friendship in Fashion. Whatever you may think, Mr W-d, these public exhibitions of particular persons by no means become the dignity of the stage, & though a disorder in my Finances may occasionally have urged me to some Pleasant attacks in this way, yet give me leave to say, I never was abandoned enough to think 'em justifiable...Your intended attack on me...as the character you are to represent is...indeed not that of the most nice Morality; who knows but that...some may cry, "Tis he from head to Foot." As you are sensible this would be doing me great Injustice, & in my present circumstances might be particularly injurious to me, I expect you will alter the Design

Event Comment: By Desire. Paid salary list #305; Rec'd Cash #142 12s. plus #24 4s.; in tickets. Total #166 16s. Paid for the making a Robe for Mrs Clive by Garrick's order #1 2s. 6d.; Paid Mr Oram (Scene painter) on acct #6 6s. by order of Lacy; for a Great coat for Sir Francis Wronghead by order of Lacy 14s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #156 2s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clive. Afterpiece [written by Mrs Clive]: A new farce partly singing, part speakg. Went off well (Cross). Music by Dr Boyce. Five rows of Pit &c. [Stage arranged as on 10 March. The framework for financial analysis of receipts appears in Treasurer's Book, but the figures are missing. The parts for The Rehearsal, according to the Larpent MS 86, were: Mrs Hazard, Nelly, Tom, Witling, Mr Cross; Miranda-$Miss Norris; Corydon-$Beard; Marcella, Miss Giggle, Sir Albany Odelove, Miss Sidell, Miss Daudle.] Receipts: #240 (Cross); charges, #60 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Leveridge. Play Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh. Not acted these 8 years

Event Comment: TThe Sorcerer, a Pantomime Entertainment, originally performed at the Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, is preparing, with alterations, at Covent Garden (The scenes painted by Mr Lambert) and will be performed one day next week. [Another letter appeared in the General Advertiser on innocent entertainment for the lower classes (see 29 Jan. 1752), but severely criticized the existence of Prize fights, Cock-pits, and Gambling houses as the real nuisances and nurseries of theft and disorder."] It is whispered that the Townwill shortly be entertained with a phenomenon of the Monosyllable Fun,--the match between Sir Alexander Drawcansir, Kent. and their Lownesses of Grub Street, being certainly to be decided on the Stage; great bets depending on this Battle, it is thought the Knowing ones will be taken in (General Advertiser)