Event Comment: Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 268, 24 Aug. 1697: The lord mayor has published an order forbidding all unlawfull gameing, excesse in drinking, swearing, cursing in Bartholomew fair. The only notice of a performance is an advance one, Post Boy, 12-14 Aug. 1697: At Mr Barns's Booth, between the Crown Tavern, and the Hospital-Gate, over against the Cross-Daggers in West-Smithfield Rounds, during the time of Bartholomew Fair, is to be seen the famous Rope-Dancers of Europe, being four Companies join'd in one, viz. the English, High-German, French and Morocco Companies of Rope-Dancers, by whom will be presented a Variety of Agility of Body, as Danceing, Tumbling, Walking, and Vaulting, the like was never seen before

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but the Preface refers to the Long Vacation and a thin house, suggesting a late summer production. As the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 16-18 Nov. 1697, a first performance in October 1697 is probably the latest date for this play, and September seems more likely. Among the songs are several for whom the composer and singer are named: Happy we who free from love, and How calm Eliza are these groves, the music set by Morgan and both sung by Mrs Lindsey. She comes my goddess comes, set by Morgan and sung by Mrs Cibber. Sleep shepherd sleep, the music set by Morgan and sung by Mrs Cross. All four are in A Collection of New Songs, 1697. Preface, Edition of 1698: To serve the wants of a thin Playhouse, and Long Vacation...This hasty Brat...had the Honor of keeping the Stage for five Days Reign. Animadversions on Mr Congreve's late Answer to Mr Collier (1698), pp. 34-35: The mighty Man of Wit [Congreve]...at the Representation of this Play...was seen very gravely with his Hat over his Eyes among his chief Actors, and Actresses, together with the two She Things, call'd Poetesses, which Write for his House, as 'tis nobly call'd; thus seated in State among those and some other of his Ingenious critical Friends, they fell all together upon a full cry of Damnation, but when they found the malicious Hiss would not take, this very generous, obliging Mr Congreve was heard to say, We'll find out a New way for this Spark, take my word there is a way of clapping of a Play down

Event Comment: Post Man, No 515, 15-17 Sept. 1698: At Mr Barnes's and Mr Appleby's Booth in the Coachyard near St Georges Church, Southwark, during the space of 14 days, is to be seen the most famous Rope Dancers of Europe, viz. the English, High German, Dutch, and Morocco Companies, who perform strange and wonderful things on the Rope, the German Maiden outdoing all Men and Women, that ever danc'd before her, both for high leaping and fine Dancing, and whatever has been done by any person on the Ground, as side, upright, cross or back Capers, is performed by her on the Dancing Rope, and rises to that prodigious height, as will startle all that see her

Event Comment: The proclamation against plays and interludes at bf was printed again in the London Post, 7-9 Aug. 1700. Nevertheless, entertainment occurred at the Fair: Flying Post, 13-15 Aug. 1700: At Barns's and Findley's Booth, between the Crown-Tavern and the Hospital-Gate, over-against the Cross Daggers in West-Smithfield (during the usual Time of Bartholomew Fair)...Four of the most Famous Companies ever in England, who perform such Curiosities in Dancing, Tumbling, and Vaulting, far surpassing any ever yet seen. Post Boy, 17-20 Aug. 1700: At the Monument Booth, over against the Fleece and Seven Stars, near the Crown Tavern in West Smithfield, will be perform'd by the famous Dutch Womans Companies of Rope-Dancers, at the same Ground where she was last Year

Event Comment: At the Famous Dutchwoman's Booth against the Hospital Gate. At Barnes and Finley's Rope-Dancing Booth between the Crown Tavern and the Hospital Gate, over against the Cross-Daggers in Smithfield

Event Comment: At Barnes and Finley Booth, between the Hospital Gate and the Crown Tavern, opposite the Cross Daggers

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Cross

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross

Event Comment: Benefit Cross. [In Daily Courant, 24 May, and later Penkethman announced his new theater in Greenwich, to which several Persons of Quality have subscribed. He intends to open on 12 June with a new Prologue by himself and a new Epilogue-by him and Bullock. He solicits additional subscription for a proposed program of 24 plays. See also Tatler, 25-27 May.

Event Comment: Benefit Cross and Carnaby

Event Comment: Benefit Corey and Cross

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [The Way of the World intended, but deferred by Indisposition of a Person who was to play a principal Part.] Receipts: #98 16s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit Cross and Wilks' Nephew

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Cross. Receipts: money #34 16s. 6d.; tickets #93 12s

Event Comment: Benefit Cross. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit Cross (Numberer) and Steed (Prompter). Receipts: money #16 17s.; tickets #57 10s

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Smith, Kellom's Scholar, Buck, Cross, Williams. Receipts: money #9 8s.; tickets #61 4s

Event Comment: Benefit Cross

Event Comment: Benefit the Prompter [Steed], Cross, Mrs Hodgson

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich, Corey, Cross (Numberer). Receipts: money #16 6s.; tickets #111 16s

Event Comment: Benefit Cross (Numberer), John and Chr. Rich. Receipts: money #10 13s.; tickets #98 5s

Event Comment: Benefit Cross and Jones. Tickets for The Rehearsal taken