Event Comment: Paid Tallow Chandler's 4th Bill #41 6s. 5d.; Spermacetti Candles, #132 18s.
Mr Tomlinson for Men's cloaths #11 11s.;
Mr J. French on acct #20;
Miss Hopkins, 15 nights (19th Dec. incl.) #3 15s. (Treasurer's Book). [
The sixth edition of
Wm. Law's
Absolute Unlawfulness of Stage Representations was published this year (1st. edn. 1726) This day was published
the Preliminary Number of
the Westminster Magazine, which, monthly, included a section called
The English Theatre, which observed generally on
the state of
the Stage, and commented specifically on new plays. Its view of
the stage in general was not as sanguine as had been that of
the writer for
the Town and Country Magazine (1 April 1772). "We are of opinion, that
the English Theatre is now in its decline. Whe
ther it is that
the stores of Dramatic Subjects or of Dramatic Genius are exhausted, is not immediately obvious; but
there is a fault somewhere....We have seen
the Morning star of Wit--
the Noon too is past; we have now arriv'd at its evening...
There is in Arts, as in Empires, a progress which leads to Refinement; and this refinement leads to Ruin." According to
the writer
the meridian glory of
the English stage was during
the reign of
Queen Anne. Reviewer damns
the Irish Widow, refuses to discuss
the Gamesters (revived), damns
the Rose and praises
the Garrick alteration of
Hamlet. This year also appeard
Granny's Prediction, a 53-page pamphlet attack on
Mrs Barry, condemning her on moral grounds (polygamy) and on aes
thetic grounds, commenting on each of her characters. By a spiteful female relative
Elizabeth Franchetti.] Receipts: #142 10s. (Treasurer's Book)