Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Luke? Sparks. Tickets and places to be had of Hobson at the stage door, and of Sparks at Courteen's Coffee-House in Bow St., Covent Garden. Dramatic Censor, I, 34-35: The whole part of the King, except his soliloquy, is truly wretched for an actor: and, to say truth, I never saw one who did not make a very insipid figure in it, the late Mr Sparks excepted; he was great in the formentioned soliloquy, respectable in every passage of the least regard, and so peculiarly happy in falling, when stabled, from the throne, that we may truly say, a good end apologized for a very bad character. Receipts: #150 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel); cash, #80 7s. 6d.; tickets, #91 5s. (Clay MS)

Event Comment: Play By Particular Desire. Last time of acting the Mainpiece this season. The Play of the Lover's Melancholy, and the Farce of the Club of Fortune Hunters, which were to have been acted this evening, for the Benefit of Mrs Macklin, are deferr'd till Thursday the 28th, on account of the Indisposition of Mr Barry; when tickets deliver'd out for the 22nd instant will be taken. Tomorrow, King Lear for the benefit of the suffers by the late fire. Receipts: #28 (Cross); #24 16s. 6d. (Powel)

Event Comment: Gift for ye Sufferers by ye fire in Cornhill (Cross). [A column and a half "Letter to the Author" appeared in the General Advertiser this day, laying historical background for Ford's Lover's Melancholy]. The history of the stage before the Restoration is like a Foreign Land, in which no Englishman had ever travelled; we know there were such things as Playhouses, and one Shakespear a great writer, but the historical traces of them are so imperfect, that the manner in which they existed is less known to us, than that of Eschylus or the theatres of Greece. For this reason, 'tis hoped that the following Gleaning of Theatrical History will readily obtain a place in your paper. 'Tis taken from a Pamphlet written in the reign of Charles I, with this quaint title, "Old Ben's Light Heart made heavy by young John's Melancholly Lover"; and as it contains some historical anecdotes and altercations concerning Ben Johnson, Ford, Shakespear, and the Lover's Melancholy it is imagined that a few extracts from it at this juncture, will not be unentertaining to the Public. [The substance of the remainder retails Jonson's critical cantankerousness and his wounded pride at the failure of the New Inn, quoting some epigrams made at Jonson's expense on his allegation that Ford was a plagiary. This second "puff" for the play, presumably also written by Macklin, formed the basis for a Steevens-Malone controversy late in the century, centering on the existence or nonexistence of the pamphlet referred to by Macklin as "Old Ben's Light Heart made Heavy, &c." A summary account of the evidence appears in the Dramatic Works of John Ford, by Henry Weber (Edinburgh, 1811) I, Intro. XVI, XXXI.] Receipts: #210 (Cross); #208 1s. (Powel)

Event Comment: Benefit for Pritchard (Treasurer). Tickets delivered for the London Merchant will be taken. On April 12 that play was advertised for this evening--the part of George Barnwell to be performed (by particular desire) by Mrs Pritchard, Millwood by Mrs Furnival, and Lucy by Mrs Clive. Tickets to be had of Pritchard at his House in Duke's late Earl's Court, Bow St., Covent Garden; and of Hobson at the stage door. Tomorrow Lover's Melancholy, and a New Farce call'd The Club of Fortune Hunters for the Benefit of Mrs Macklin. Receipts: #180 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel); cash #85 6s. 6d.; tickets, #81 9s. (Clay MS)

Event Comment: Benefit for Burton, Raftor, I. Sparks (Cross). Last week Mr Garrick Paid to Mr Belchier, Banker in Lombard St., #208 1s., being the whole money receiv'd at the Benefit Play of King Lear, which he most generously gave for the relief of the unhappy sufferers by the late most dredful fire in Cornhill, &c., whithout deducting any charges whatsoever. [See note, 3 May] Receipts: #180 (Cross); house charges, #63 (Powel); cash, #56 19s. tickets, #128 10s. (Clay MS)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: At the Particular Desire of Several Persons of Quality. N.B.: [This bill] was put up, but Mr Garrick was seiz'd with an ague, & there was no play, nor the Doors open'd (Cross). The Managers of Drury Lane Playhouse paid the sum of #208 1s. [Being the whole money taken at the play of King Lear, for the benefit of the Sufferers by the late Fire] into the hands of Mt Knight and Mt Jackson; and not as mentioned by Mistake in yesterday's paper; and the whole company gave their night's pay for the said benefit. The last new Reviv'd Play, call'd The Lover's Melancholy, will be acted by particular desire next Thursday, at Drury Lane, to which will be added, Miss in her Teens, being the last time of performing it this season (General Advertiser)

Event Comment: By Desire, at his Auction Room, late the New Theatre in the Haymarket, Mr Foote will exhibit a Choice Collection of Pictures, all warranted Originals, with some entire new Lots. Places for boxes to be taken at the Auction Room. The Thirty-ninth Day. The auction to begin at exactly half an hour after six

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: We hear that the Tragedy of Coriolanus, wrote by the late Mr Thompson, has been rehearsed at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden, and will be perform'd there on Friday next

Event Comment: To be seen a Person who performs the most surprizing Things...he presents you with a common Wine bottle, which any of the Spectators may first examine; this Bottle is plac'd on a Table in the Middle of the Stage, and he (without any Equivocation) goes into it in Sight of all the Spectators, and sings in it; during his Stay in the Bottle, any Person may handle it, and see plainly that it does not exceed a common Tavern Bottle. The Performance continues about Two Hours and a Half. These Performances have been seen by most of the Crowned Heads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and never appear'd anywhere Public but once. Stage 7s. 6d. where Masks may be worn. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. [The famous Bottle Conjurer hoax.] Theatre was crowded...by five o'clock; at seven the house was lighted up [but not music]...a Person came before the Curtain, and, bowing, promis'd if Mr Conjurer did not arrive in half an Hour, their Money should be return'd...after near an Hour...a Gentleman in the Box snatch'd a Candle lighted, and in Violence threw it on the Stage; this was the Signal for the Onset of Battle...the Boxes, Seats, Glasses, Scenes, Chairs, Machinery, and all the Furniture of the Play House, were in less than ten Minutes carried into the Street...an excellent Bonfire was made of Mr Foote's Auction Room...it may put a [pe]riod to the Auction, till the Theatre can be refitted.--Charles Adams to John Gilbert-Cooper, Theatre Notebook, XI (1957) p. 139. [Potter was still owner of this theatre.] Those opposed to a recent late book would have been gratified had the Conjurer jumped into the bottle and proved that miracles had not yet ceased."--Daily Advertiser, 17 Jan. Last Night a numerous Audience, among whom were several Persons of Quality, was at the New Theatre in the Haymarket, in wonderful Expectation of seeing the Miraculous Man creep into a Bottle, and do several other Miracles; but the only one he perform'd was, that he render'd himself invisible (without any Equivocation) to the no small Disappointment of the gaping Multitude; who, being told from behind the Curtain that the Performer had not yet appear'd, but that if they would stay until the next Night, instead of a Quart Bottle he should creep into a Pint, immediately grew outrageous, and in a Quarter of an Hour's Time broke to Pieces all the Boxes, Benches, Scenes, and everything that was in their power to destroy, leaving only the Shell of the House remaining. Surely this will deter anyone from venturing to impose on the public in the like manner for the future.--General Advertiser, 17 Jan. [See also dl Comment 18, 19, 20, 27 Jan.

Event Comment: Note in General Advertiser: For the Benefit of the Author's Sisters, Box and Pit Tickets for Coriolanus, a Tragedy written by the late Mr Thomson, and now acting at Covent Garden Theatre, are to be had of A. Millar, opposite to Catherine Street in the Strand; J. Davidson in the Poultry; and R. Dodsley in Pall Mall

Event Comment: Tomorrow will be publish'd at 1s. 6d., Coriolanus, a Tragedy; as it is now acting at Covent Garden, by the late James Thompson

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Copen, Miss Haughton, Mrs Gondou, and Madem Contair. Tickets deliver'd out for the support of the two orphan children of the late Mr Mullart will be taken

Event Comment: Benefit for Pritchard. Afterpiece: By Particular Desire, and the last time of performing it. Tickets and places to be had of Pritchard at his House in Duke's, late Earl's Court, Bow Street, Covent Garden, and of Hobson at the stage Door. Ladies are Desired to send their Servants by three o'clock. Receipts: #200 (Cross); charges, #63 (Powel)

Event Comment: [See 27 May.] Benefit of a Grammar School Master. Terence's Andria in the original Language, with a New Latin Prologue, and an Occasional English Epilogue. After which will be spoken in English an allegorical Eulogy called Mimus. It is hoped the late disappointment (as it was in all its circumstances unaviodable) will be no detriment to the performance

Event Comment: Last Thursday morning, Mr Harrington, Prompter to the Theatre Royal, being delerious and in a high fever, in the absence of his Nurse-keeper, threw himself out of his lodging window, and was killed by the fall. [See A Full and true Account of the woeful and wonderftl apparition of Hurloe Harrington, late prompter to the Theatre Royal in Dublin (London, 1750).] 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: Whereas it has been industriously given out in order to prejudice Mr Barry, that he has frequently of late refused to act, when his health would have permitted; He takes this opportunity of assuring the publick, whose favour it is his highest ambition to deserve, that he scorns to make use of tricks or Evasions of this kind, and that nothing but real illness has, or shall ever oblige him to decline his duty as an actor (General Advertiser). Receipts: #130 (Cross); #144 12s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Particular Desire. Paid Norton 3 Chorus 15s.; Mr Knight for lamps &c. #10 11s.; for 15 lbs lampwick #1 5s.; Paid Leviez (Ballet Master) a bill as per order #13 19s., and ditto on a Note as per order #34 3s. (Treasurer's Book). We hear Mrs Pritchard, that justly celebrated Actress, is much recovr'd of her late illness, and we are in hopes that she will be able in a short time to perform again at Drury Lane (General Advertiser). Receipts: #140 (Cross); #153 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Messrs Cradock & Hughes, Executors to the late Mr Wood for a note with interest & costs. Paid Mr Kent their attorney #96 12s. Receipts: #76 7s

Event Comment: An Earthquake (Cross). Paid Knight (Tinman) #10 14s.; Wax & Brick dust 3s.11d.; Paid Heath for several things fix'd as per bill in the House late Winsor's #7 2s. 6d.; Norton 6 chorus #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #170 (Cross); #160 8s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bridges and Blakes. Rec'd Cash #47 3s., plus #100 4s. from tickets. Total #147 7s. (Treasurer's Book). Yesterday Morning died of a Dropsy, Mr William Mills, belonging to the Theatre-Royal in Drury Lane; a person formerly well esteem'd in his profession, and if his infirmities in the latter part of his life render'd him less useful to the stage, yet he amply made amends for it, in the deserv'd character of an Honest man, and an indulgent Husband. -The Stratagem will be play'd on Sat. next, for the benefit of Mrs Mills (General Advertiser). Receipts: #160 (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: For the Benefit of Gentleman who has wrote for the Stage. A Concert of Musick. The march in Judas Maccabaeus, Side-Drum-J. Woodbridge, late Kettledrummer to the Hon. Admiral Boscawen. Also a preamble on the Kettle-Drums, ending with Handel's Water Musick. A Variety of other Entertainments. Between the Parts of the Concert will be given gratis, the Tragedy of The Orphan. With an Occasional Prologue. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. Gallery 1s. To begin at 6 p.m. [Performance had been delayed from 10 Oct. on account of illness of a principal performer.

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Charlotte Skinner. Tickets to be had at Miss Skinner's Lodgings, No 4, Angel Court, Windmill St., Haymarket (Daily Advertiser). A Concert. As no money can be taken, only those given tickets by Miss Skinner can be admitted. As this Advertisement was sent too late to be altered in the Daily Advertiser, it is hoped that the Advertisement inserted in that Paper for this Entertainment will not be regarded, as to any Money being taken for places. To begin at 6 p.m