Event Comment: At 5 went into the Pit at Covent Garden to see Mrs Yates do Lady Townly. Yates is an excellent Sir Francis, but Powell does not shine in Lord Townly....The Entertainment was the new comedy in two acts called the Oxonian in Town, with a prologue by Woodward in the character of a student....It being suspected that a number of sharpers whose characters and practices are laid open in this piece, would attempt to damn it tonight (the 3rd of its being Performed) under pretence of its casting odium on the Irish, bills were dispersed in the House during the play vindicating it from any such intention. Woodward was allowed to speak the prologue, but as soon as the curtain drew up catcalls began. When the performers retired, Powell spoke several times, but was not heard. I was told that the author (Mr Colman) desires to know whom he has offended. The Pros were a very great majority, and at last after a contest of better than 1!2 an hour, the victory was over and the piece was performed. I think it contains many good sentiments, and excellent instruction to young men and is not unworthy of Mr Colman. If vice must not be exposed to hatred and contempt, the usefulness of our theatres is at an end. Only I think the Covent Garden pleasures are represented in too favourable a light. When all was over Powell came on the stage and thanked the audience for their generous protection (Neville MS Diary). Receipts: #212 12s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Benefit for Author of Padlock--"who was author of Love in a Village and Maid of the Mill" (playbill) [i.e., Isaac Bickerstaffe]

Event Comment: Present Their Majesties, Prince of Wales and Prince Frederick. Gave Yeomen of the Guards #2 2s. Receipts: #234 15s. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mrs Egerton smart figure not much of the Gentlewoman tho, appear'd in Lady Townly (Hopkins Diary). From the Theatre Royal, Dublin (MacMillan). Lady Townly, Mrs Egerton, first time (Cross Diary)

Event Comment: Receiv'd stoppages [i.e., fines from salaries] #11 4s. (Treasurer's Book). Paid Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 11s. (Treasurer's Book). Chorus singers' payments averaged #6 8s. per week, amounting to some #230 for the season. [Item will not be listed further.] Receipts: #119 18s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd #59 from various actors for their deficiencies last season, and #4 6d. from Phillips for old cloaths. Paid for a Lottery Ticket No. 51,822, #13 (Account Book). Receipts: #113 7s

Event Comment: Benefit for Fishar (ballet master) and Sga Manesiere. [The Lady identified as Mrs Sage by Kemble note on playbill.] Charges #65 10s. 6d. Profit to each beneficiary #18 6s. 3d., plus income from tickets: Fishar #61 14s. (Box 104; Pit 150; Gallery 132); Sga Manesiere, #66 12s. (Box 125; Pit 179; Gallery 85) (Account Book). Receipts: #002 3s

Event Comment: Paid 1 year's Assurance on #3,000 in the Royal Exchange Office to 15 Dec. 1774, #6 (Account Book). [Query: The insurance policy probably extended to 15 Dec. 1775?] Receipts: #105 3s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. Paid chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s. Receipts: #140 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

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: New Books of the Songs, Chorusses, &c. will be sold in the theatre. [Mainpiece seems definitely to be the Henry Jones version. This cast is that printed in that Bell Edition 1776, of the Jones play.

Event Comment: Alexander the Great? [announced on playbill of 4 Nov.] is obliged to be deferred. [The playbill lists Mrs Yates as Lady Townly, but see following note. Miss Younge's name appears in all subsequent playbills, except on 19 Dec.] Alexander was advertised for this Night, but Lacy being hoarse, who was to have played Alexander, it was obliged to be deferred, and this Play substituted. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock at (Night) before we got it settled. Mr. Sheridan ordered me not to send to Mrs. Yates about (it) till the Morning. About eight o'clock I sent her Notice that the Provoked Husband was to be performed at Night. A little after nine, she sent Word by her Niece that she was never so ill treated in her life, that she was never before asked to play on the fifth of November [which day was traditionally set aside for the acting of Tamerlane], that she would not play Lady Townly that Night, nor would she play any more; and if she had an Inclination to play, she had no Cloaths ready to play it in; and sent back the Part of Semiramis in a new Tragedy that was preparing [see 16 Nov., 14 Dec.]. I got Miss Younge to do Lady Townly, and an Apology was made by Packer that Mrs Yates having refused this Morning to do Lady Townly, Miss Younge at a Minutes' Notice undertook to do it. Miss Younge was much applauded and Yates had a few hisses (Hopkins Diary). Receipts: #179 11s. 6d