Event Comment: Benefit for Author. Tickets at the Stage Door. This Day is Published at 1s. 6d. The Roman Father, a Tragedy, as it is now acting at Drury Lane. Written by Mr W. Whitehead. Printed for R. Dodsley in Pall Mall, and sold by M. Cooper in Paternoster Row (General Advertiser). Paid Cross a bill #1 8s. 7d. Norton 4 chorus #1. Paid for a brown coat with gold holes, a scarlet waistcoat with gold lace, scarlet shag breeches for Mr Sowdon #8 (Treasurer's Book). [Probably Sowdon's costume in the part of Tullius Hcstilius.] Receipts: #190 (Cross); charges, #63 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Whereas Doctor John Francis Croza, late Master of the Company of Comedians at the Opera House in the Haymarket, escaped fro me on Tuesday Evening last: whoever will secure or cause him to be secured, so that I may re-take him, shall have a reward of thirty pounds immediately, paid by me Henry Gibbs, one of the Tipstaffs attending the court of Common Pleas, Southampton St., Covent Garden, Tea Merchant. N.B. The said John Francis Croza is a thin man, about Five feet five inches high, of a swarthy Complexion, with dark brown eyebrows, pitted with the small pox, stoops a little in the Shoulders, is about 50 Years of age, and takes a remarkable deal of Snuff, talks Italian and French, but speaks very little English (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: [If this were the announcement of a bona fide concert, there would be no infraction of the Licensing Act. The singers are not named, as they usually are in advertisements of musical entertainments.] Benefit for Brown. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. Gallery 1s. No persons to be admitted without tickets

Event Comment: Benefit for a Gentlewoman, who hath a large Family in great Distress, being kept out of a good Fortune (Cross). Tickets to be had at Mrs Brown's, Milliner, in Martin's-Church-Yard; Mr Leeson, Haberdasher, near the New Church in the Strand; Mrs Kelly's, the Rainbow Coffee House, Ludgate Hill; Mr Walker's, an Oilman in Catherine St., and of Varney at the Stage Door (playbill). Receipts: #30 (Cross)

Event Comment: A new Tragedy by ye Author of Barbarossa (Dr Brown) Great Applause (Cross). [Larpent MS 124 suggests Dunelm had been intended for Walker to act.] Receipts: #190 (Cross)

Event Comment: At The Chapel of the Foundling Hospital. [Deutsch, Handel, pp. 799-801, notes the performance and lists the "Orchestra Bill," for this performance: twelve violins-Brown, Collet, Freeks, Frowd, Claudio, Wood, Wood Jr, Denner, Abbington, Grosman, Jackson, Nicholson, the first three at 15s. and the rest at 10s. each; three "tenners" [violas]-Rash, Warner, Stockton at 8s. each: four hautbois-Eyferd, Teede, Vincent, Weichsel, the first three at 10s. 6d. and the fourth at 8s.; four bassoons-Miller, Baumgarden, Goodman, Owen, the first two at 10s. 6d. and the rest at 8s. each; three violoncellos-Gillier, Haron, Hebden at 10s. 6d. each; two double basses-Dietrich at 15s. and Sworms at 10s.; horns and drums by Adcock and Willis at 10s. 6d. each; trumpets and kettle drums-Trowa, Miller, and Fr Smith at 10s. 6d. for a total of #17 15s. He also lists the bill for the singers: Sga Frasi, #6 6s.; Miss Frederick, #4 4s.; Miss Young, #3 3s.; Beard with services gratis; Champness, #1, 11s. 6d.; Waas, Bailden, and Barrow at #1 1s. each; six boys, totalling #4 14s. 6d.; a second Champness, Ladd, Cox, Munck, Reinhold, Walz, Courtney, and Kurz, at 10s. 6d. each, for a total of #27 16s. 6d. Servants and music porters added #4 14s. 6d. What with #5 5s. 6d. for Smith brought the total bill to #55 11s. 6d. The Constable in addition cost #3 3s.

Event Comment: [This day Horace Walpole wrote as follows to George Montagu, forshadowing an event to take place on 27 July: "If you will stay with me a fortnight or three weeks, perhaps I may be able to carry you to a play of Mr Bentley's--you stare--but I am in earnest--nay, and de par le roy. In short, here is the history of it. You know the passion he always had for the Italian comedy. About two years ago he writ one, intending to get it offered to Rich--but without his name--he would have died to be supposed an author, and writing [I, 372] for gain. I kept this a most inviolable secret. Judge then of my surprise when about a fortnight or three weeks ago I found my Lord Melcomb reading this very Bentleiad in a circle at my Lady Hervey's. Cumberland had carried it to him, with a recommendatory copy of verses, containing more incense to the King and my Lord Bute, than the Magi brought in their portmanteaus to Jerusalem. The idols were propitious, and to do them justice, there is a great deal of wit in the piece, which is called The Wishes or Harlequin's Mouth Opened. A bank note of #200 was sent from the Treasury to the author, and the play ordered to be performed by the summer company. Foote was summoned to Lord Melcomb's, where Parnassus was composed of the peer himself, who, like Apollo as I am going to tell you, was dozing, the two Chief Justices and Lord Bute. Bubo read the play himself, with handkerchief and orange by his side. But the curious part is a prologue which I never saw. It represents the god of verse fast asleep by the side of Helicon. The race of modern bards try to wake him, but the more they repeat of their works, the louder he snores. At last "Ruin seize thee ruthless King" is heard, and the god starts from his trance. This is a good thought, but will offend the bards so much, that I think Dr Bentley's son will be abused at least as much as his father was. The prologue concludes with young Augustus, and how much he excels the ancient one, by the choice of his friend. Foote refused to act this prologue, and said it was too strong. 'Indeed,' said Augustus's friend, 'I think it is.' They have softened it a little, and I suppose it will be performed. You may depend upon the truth of all this; but what is much more credible, is that the comely young author appears every night in the Mall in a milkwhite coat with a blue cape, disclaims any benefit, and says he has done with the play now it is out of his own hands, and that Mrs Hannah Clio alias Bentley writ the best scenes in it. He is going to write a tragedy, and she, I suppose, is going--to court."--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with George Montagu. Ed. W. S. Lewis and Ralph S. Brown Jr (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941), I, 372-73. [IX, 372-373.

Event Comment: [See Theatrical Review; or, Annals of the Drama, 1 April, pp. 146-49.] Oratorio is a "Sacred Ode by Dr Brown. Adapted (by the Author of the Ode) to select Airs, Duets and Chorusses from Handel, Marcello, Purcell and other eminent composers" (Public Advertiser)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #3 9s. 6d.; Paid salary list-#441 4s.; Chorus 1 night, #2 5s. 6d.; Paid Mrs Brown, not on list #1 12s. 6d.; Paid Mr Williams (violin) in Musical Lady 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #221 5s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Written by Dr Brown; composed by Arnold. For the Benefit and Increase of a Fund, established for the Support of Decayed Musicians and their Families. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. #694 5s. 2d. spent in previous fiscal year by this charity

Event Comment: Oratorio written by the late Mr Brown. Benefit for and Increase of a Fund established for the Support of decay'd Musicians and their Families. Pit and Boxes half a guinea. First Gallery 5s. Upper gallery 3s. 6d

Event Comment: The Last time of the Company's performing this season. The Oxonian in Town, cannot be perform'd on account of the indisposition of a performer. Doors open at Half past 5. To begin at Half past 6. [Account Book indicates the following as paying up their deficiencies or half value of tickets: Perry, Gardner, Legg, Mrs Lampe and Mrs Jones, Wignell, Barnshaw, Wild, Mrs Hartle, Miss Brown, Ellis and Sherratt. Master Harris receiv'd #5 5s. for his performances this season. The Salary list for 25 May, recording payments for a ten day Period, amounted to #639 2s. 2d., or about #63 per day. Basic house charges of #63 may have been based on this salary figure, with the extras of candles, music, wardrobe, &c. added. See 6 June.] Receipts: #67 12s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music benefit for Mrs Pinto. Songs by Mrs Forbes, Master Brown, and Mrs Pinto. Concertos on the organ and Hautboy by Hook and Park. After which will be performed for the first time a Pastoral Serenata called Love and Innocence, in two acts composed by Mr Hook, with chorusses. An elegant transparent Temple of Apollo designed and painted by Sig Bigar, machinist to the Opera House. The Gardens will be additionally illuminated. Fireworks. The whole to conclude with a Ball

Event Comment: Paid Miss Younge, for men's cloaths #15 15s., Mrs Mott for women's Cloaths #10 10s.; Mr French on Acct #25; Mr King, Glassman #8 13s.; Half a year's poor's rate for St Martin's to Midqummer last #25 5s.; Mas. Brown 4 nights (10th inst. incl.) #1 10s.; Mrs Slaughter's bill, #1 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #147 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. N.B. The Institution of the Garter will be laid aside after this night (playbill). Paid Mr Davies on note #5; Miss Hopkins 29 nights at 2s. 6d. per night, #3 12s. 6d.; Mr Thomas French 7 days #2 16s.; Master Brown 12 nights last season and 3 nights this season #5 12s. 6d.; (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #221 4s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: [Last time of performing till the Holidays. Miss Brown identifield by Winston MS 10 and playbill for 29 Oct. 1772 as the young lady, although Miss Potts and Mrs Woodman would seem likely candidates too.] Paid Dunstall the Balance of Theatrical Fund profit #68 1s. 6d. (Account Book). Receipts: #209 17s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. Rec'd stopages #11 15s. 6d.; From Sinking Fund, 1st, #157 10s. (Treasurer's Book). [N.B. this last bookkeeping transfer seems to have enabled treasurer to pay off Mr Calthorpe. See 1 May 1772.] Paid Salary list #497 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington's cloaths acct #2; Mr S. French #1 10s.; Master Brown 3 nights #1 2s. 6d. Receipts: #140 9s. 6d. Charges: #58 16s. 6d. Profits to Bannister: #81 16s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Last time of performing Mainpiece this season. House (Hopkins Diary). But Tickets delivered for Benefit of Mr W. Barry will be taken. Mr Wm. Barry's tickets this night (Box 88; Pit 76; Gallery 47) #38 2s.; Paid Printer's Bill #9 6s.; Master Brown 2 nights (26th incl.) 15s.; Extra trumpet 2 nights (March 31st incl.) #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #155 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Miss Brown 2 weeks not on the list, #1; Mr Wright as per order Mr G. G. #3 10s. 10d.; Dorman for coals #46 5s.; Chorus (this night incl.) #6 16s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Buxton and Enderby (oyl merchants) #116, and Brown (coal merchant) #44 9s. Receipts: #190 6s. 6d. (Account Book)

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: Benefit for Mr Palmer. The Entertainment, a New Poetical Interlude (never perform'd there) Alter'd from Prior's Nut Brown Maid, by Mr Bates, With a New Air and Chorus. Music by Dr Arne. Receipts: #203 12s. Charges: #68 2s. 6d. Profits to Palmer: #13 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)