Event Comment: 1 Benefit W. Giffard [but earlier advertisements said benefit the two Miss Scotts]

Event Comment: Benefit Michael Lally. Two Rows of the Pits will be laid into the Boxes. And for the better accommodation of the ladies, the stage will be form'd into side boxes, where servants will be allow'd to keep places. Ladies desired to send servants by three

Event Comment: WWalpole to Horace Mann, 14 Aug.: We were thirty subscribers, at two hundred pounds each, which was to last four years, and no other demands ever to be made. Instead of that we have been made to pay 56 pounds over and above the subscription in one winter.--Horace Walpole's Correspondence with Sir Horace Mann, II, 293-94

Event Comment: During this month was publish'd The Dramatic Congress, a short state of the stage under present management, by W. R. Chetwynd. The older actors and dramatists sit in Elysium and discuss the fate of the theatre under Fleetwood and Rich. Much on cartels and the decay of the stage, and the chicanery indulged in to starve the Macklin-Garrick revolters. Probably about this time was also publish'd Tyranny Triumphant...Or Historical and critical remarks on the famous Cartel lately agreed on by the masters of the two theatres, by Patrick Fitz-Crambo. Discusses the rumor that Rich shut up Lincoln's Inn Fields for six months and for #600 gave the key to the Manager of Drury Lane, leaving the actors to starve, and the town to be satisfied with whatever nonsense Drury Lane chose to put on

Event Comment: Today, will be reviv'd an Opera. The Musick compos'd by Mr Handel. With Dances and other Decorations entirely new. Pit and Boxes to be put together; and no Person to be admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver'd this Day at the Office in the Haymarket, at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. 6 p.m. Note. The Subscribers to the Opera are desir'd to send for their Silver Tickets to the Opera-Office in the Hay-Market. [This customary notice will not be included further. According to Loewenberg, Annals of Opera, I, 102, this is the new opera Rossane, Lampugnani's first composition, at the house for which he was the new resident composer. Musicologists have not arrived at the identity of this piece, Burney and Loewenburg attributing it to Lampugnani, Schoelcher and Deutsch to Handel. See Deutsch, Handel, p. 572, where he reviews the evidence.

Event Comment: No Money will be taken behind the scenes, nor any money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. The following Letter, signed A By-Stander was inserted in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser: As I am absolutely unconcerned in all the now subsiding Theatrical Disputes, I hope the following observations upon what happened last Tuesday Night at Drury Lane will not be thought unworthy the Publick attention. The Manager of a theatre is to regard the General sense of the Town, and not any Faction form'd thru pique or resentment; Such a Faction may be Noisy, it may be Insolent, but never can be Considerable enough to force either the Manager or the Publick into their terms. Their outrages are equally insults upon the Understanding of the Town, as they are injuries to the Property of the Manager. Therefore if the Manager shall at any time give way to such proceedings, Then and not till Then, the Publick has a right ot find fault with him. The stage Then becomes a property to the insolence of a few misled people; and all theatrical diversions, which in this and other countries used to be directed by Decency and Publick Approbation are sacrificed to a pitiful Personal Resentment. If the above propositions are undeniable, the following Queries are submitted to the Publick, and the answer to them will determine the Reasonableness of the Tuesday Night Riot: I. Whether the Rioters were not Inconsiderable in their numbers and Circumstances? II: Whether any Gentleman can answer to himself, for doing in a Body, a thing which no Gentleman can justify for doing by himself? III. Whether the Rioters can justify their breaking into the Boxes, and taking possession of the seats, which were taken by many persons of Quality and Distinction, at the same time refusing to pay anything; thereby robbing the Manager of all the money of the Boxes, and most part of the Pit? IV. Whether the Manager ought to suffer in his property for the private quarrel between any two actors, as was the case...? V: Whether if such insolences are not discountenanced in the most effectual manner by the Town, any publick diversion can continue longer than a noisy inconsiderable Cabal pleases? VI. Whether any other motive than a regard to Public Decency would have hindered the Manager and Mr. Garrick's friends (who were treble the number) from treating the rioters as they deserved? I should be glad to see the above questions fairly and impartially answered

Event Comment: The farce never acted before [by James Ralph]. Two acts taken from The Spanish Curate, by Beaumont and Fletcher. Macklin's Reply to Garrick's Answer published

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Saunders, many years a Comedian, by Command of his Royal Highness the Duke. Tickets to be had of Mrs Saunders at her house, No 7, in Duke's Court, in the Great Almonry, Westminster, of Mr Morrison, at the Two Golden Balls in Long Acre; and of Mr Page at the stage door of the theatre. N.B.: Mrs Saunders humbly hopes those Gentlemen and Ladies who intend to favour her of their company, will excuse her not waiting on them, she not having been able to go out of her House these eighteen months

Event Comment: LLondon Daily Post and General Advertiser, 25 Feb. contained the following verses: Hearing Mr Handel's Samson at Covent Garden. Rais'd by his subject Milton nobly flew And all Parnassus open'd to our view; By Milton fir'd Great Handel strikes our ear, And every power of harmony we hear. When two such mighty artists blend their fire Pour forth each Charm that Genius can inspire The man whose bosom does not raptures feel, Must have no soul, or all his heart be steel

Event Comment: [L$Leveridge's rhymed advertisement of 14 March repeated but with last two lines of Verse II as follows]: Which I with acknowledgment full of Delight Will gratefully sing on my Benefit Night,...which will be Tuesday April 17th, with The Miser. Tickets at Leveridge's Lodgings in Hanover St., the third door on the right hand from Long Acre, and of Mr Page at the Stage Door.--General Advertiser

Event Comment: Mainpiece Written by the late Mr Congreve. Benefit Mrs Mills. Tickets to be had of Mills at his house in Nassau St., Soho. To the Author of the General Advertiser: It is with great Pleasure I find by the Publick Papers that a tragedy founded on Voltaire's Mahomet is now in rehearsal at Drury Lane Theatre. The Original was by Authority forbid to be played in France on account of the free and noble sentiments with regard to Bigotry and Enthusiasm, which shine through it; and which that Nation found as applicable to itself, as to the bloody propagators of Mahomet's Religion. Indeed the Fable on which it is built demanded such sentiments; the design of it being to shew the dreadful effects of Bigotry and Enthusiasm, even upon minds naturally well inclined when work'd up to such a pitch, as a beautiful concurrence of amazing, yet probable Circumstances hath there carried them to: So that it was equally impossible for the poet, by cutting and mangling his play, to lop it to their standard of Orthodox poetry, as it were for their Inquisitors, by torturing and burning a poor Protestant, to convince him of their Christian love and charity....They foresaw that the most obvious Reflection, that every sensible Spectator could not but make, would be, that he every day saw the same effects produced from two the most different causes, Mahometanism and Christianity; and the consequence must be, either that they were both alike Imposters, or that a crafty, mercenary, and cruel Clergy had dared to add a spirit to Christianity, which Christianity never knew. It is not doubted but these every Sentiments, which in France, prevented the Representation of this piece, will, in England speak loudly in its favor (providdd our English poet is not unequal to his subject) especially since so audacious an attempt has been lately made by the Common Enemy of Europe to establish at once a Civil and Spiritual Tyranny over those injur'd Nations, by the old Mohametan and Roman Arguments of Fire and Sword. I am, &c

Event Comment: Benefit Cervetti, Collins, Gray, Miss Bradshaw and the two Miss Scotts

Event Comment: Benefit for Hobson. Tickets and places of Hobson at the stage door of the Theatre. Presentment of the Grand Juryv for the County of Middlesex: We the Grand Jury sworn to enquire for our Sovereign Lord The King, and the body of this county, have observed from most of the presentments delivered to us by the Constables of this County, that they have been, as we apprehend and fear, very remiss in their duty, by returning their several districts to be quiet and in good order. Whereas the contrary does most manifestly appear, in many instances as well from the accounts or advertisements we read in the daily Papers, printed and dispersed within the County (inviting and seducing, not only the inhabitants, but also all other persons, to several places kept apart for the encouragement of Luxury, Extravagance, and Idleness, and we fear other wicked, illegal purposes, which by such means go on with impunity, to the destruction of many families) as otherwise to the great Dishonour of the Kingdom...especially at a time when we are engaged in expensive Wars, and so much overburdened with Taxes of all sorts, both Parliamentary and Parochial, that it is much as a prudent man can do, without a taste to extravagant and illegal pleasure to support himself and family according to his degree and station in life under the most regular economy. [If unchecked this bad example will lead to National destruction]. We do accordingly hereby present as places riotous, of great extravagance, luxury, idleness, and ill fame, the several house &c following: [lists two gambling houses, then the Proprietors of the avenues leading to the several playhouses for not preventing wicked loose and disorderly persons from loitering at the front of their several houses on nights of the play to the prejudice of playgoers.] 4. Saddlers Wells, near Islington; 5. New Wells, Goodman's Fields; 6. New Wells, Clerkenwell; 7. The Proprietors of a Place call'd Hallam's New Theatre at Mayfair. Prays that the court will close all listed. N.B. Many people believed that after this presentment, the places mentioned would be shut up or reformed, but they advertise and continue the same diversions as before.-Gentlemen's Magazine (May, 1744), pp. 278-79

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. The Fifth Day. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet still continues to be acted...to crowded audiences, with great applause....We hear two principal Actresses from the Theatre Royal in Dublin, are speedily to appear on that Stage; as are some more Performers, who are disengaged from the other Theatres

Event Comment: MMr Handel proposes to perform by Subscription 24 times during the Winter Season and engages to exhibit two new Performances and several of his former Oratorios. 8 Guineas. At his House in Brooke St.

Event Comment: [P$Peter Promptwell writes a letter (Daily Gazetteer) commenting on William Hint's two letters. (See 13, 20, 23 Oct. He discourses on the history of the English stage, emphasizing that theatres were better directed heretofore than they are at present.

Event Comment: Benefit Widow and Child of James Miller, the author. As the Play of to-night is entirely for mine and my children's Benefit, and was allotted (by the Manager) for that purpose a considerable time ago, has since been advertis'd in the Publick papers upwards of ten days, and the Boxes chiefly been taken by Ladies of Quality and Distinction, I humbly hope, as Charity and Humanity are my advocates, the Performance will be permitted without interruption. D. Miller.--General Advertiser. To Those who remained in the Pit in Drury Lane Playhouse on Thursday Evening, and were refus'd their money: GENTLEMEN: If you are sensible of the Insults that we receiv'd from the servants of the Manager (after we had remain'd orderly in the House expecting our money for the best part of an hour) being expos'd to the danger of our lives from several sticks, &c being thrown at us from the stage, and from the attack of Soldiers jumping into the Pit with their bayonets fix'd, you'll meet tomorrow several Gentlemen equally injur'd, at the Fountain Tavern in Catherine Street in the Strand, at two o'clock, as well as, Your most humble Servant, J. Johnston.--Daily Advertiser. [Daily Gazetteer contained a letter by Anti-Mimus on the manager's publication of reasons for his late extraordinary measures.

Event Comment: [Possibly not performed, see 1 April, hay.] Benefit the two Misses Scot. 5s. 6:30 p.m. Having been discharged from Drury Lane Playhouse by the Manager, without being told, or even permitted to ask why he did so; and not being conscious of any offence we ever gave the public, we humbly hope Ladies and Gentlemen will encourage us in this endeavour to entertain them and support ourselves (Daily Advertiser). Tickets at Miss Scott's Lodgings, the Golden Cannister, Katherine St., Strand; Castle Tavern, Paternoster Row; Tilt Yard Coffee House, Whitehall

Event Comment: Having for a Series of Years received the greatest Obligations from the Nobility and Gentry of this Nation, I have always retained a deep Impression of their Goodness. As I perceived, that joining good Sense and Significant Words of Musick, was the best Method of recommending this to an English Audience; I have directed my Studies that way, and endeavour'd to shew, that the English Language, which is so expressive of the sublimest Sentiments, is the best adapted of any to the full and solemn Kind of Musick. I have the Mortification now to find, that my Labours to please are become ineffectual, when my Expences are considerably greater. To what Cause I must impute the Loss of the Publick Favour, I am ignorant, but the Loss itself I shall always lament. In the mean time, I am assur'd that a Nation, whose Characteristic is good Nature, would be affected with the Ruin of any Man, which was owing to his Endeavours to entertain them. I am likewise persuaded, that I shall have the forgiveness of those noble Persons, who have honour'd me with their Patronage, and their Subscription this Winter, if I beg them Permission to stop short, before my Losses are too great to support, if I proceed no farther in my Undertaking; and if I intreat them to withdraw three Fourths of their Subscription, one Fourth part only of my Proposal having been perform'd. I am, etc. G. F. Handel. Attendance will be given at Mr Handel's House in Brook's St., Hanover Square, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next, in order to pay back the Subscription money. [Two poems in honor of Handel in the 21 Jan. issue of the Daily Advertiser. A letter in the 25 Jan. issue indicates that the subscribers would not accept the proferred refund; Handel announced he would resume performances in view of this response.

Event Comment: Afterpiece an opera in two acts not acted these 6 years [see 24 March 1741]. The words by Mr Addison. The Music compos'd by Mr Arne

Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser, 28 Sept.: We hear that Mr Lacy, Master of his Majesty's company of Comedians at D.L. has applied for leave to raise 200 men in defence of his Majesty's person and government, in which the whole company of players are willing to engage. [See 7 Oct.] On Saturday Night the Audience at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane were agreeably surpris'd by the Gentlemen belonging to that House performing the Anthem of God Save our Noble King. The Universal Applause it met with being encored with repeated Huzzas suffciently denoted in how just an abhorrence they hold the arbitrary schemes of our invidious enemies and detest the despotic attempts of Papal Power. [See also Daily Advertiser, 30 Sept. The newspapers at this time run a three phrase slogan in bold face type vertically in the margins: No Pretender. No Popery. No Slavery, accompanied by two more phrases staring boldly from the bottom margin: No Wooden Shoes! No Arbitrary Power!]

Event Comment: With a new Farce of two Acts...Written by the Gentleman who plays the Part of Lothario. The Play and Entertainment being both so long we shall positively begin at exactly six o'clock. 3s., 2s., 1s. [Usual concert notice.

Event Comment: By Desire of the Officers of the two Regiments of the Tower Hamlets. Gentlemen and Ladies who had tickets for Mr W. Hallam's Benefit of Richard III and could not come then, Mr Hallam hopes they will come tonight, and their Tickets will be admitted

Event Comment: MMrs Cibber to Garrick, late Jan.: It is surprising that dl goes on acting; one night with another, to be sure, they have not received above 40 pounds; the actors are paid only three nights a week; though they play every night. But the top stroke of all was Macklin's play! It was entirely new-dressed, and no expense saved in the clothes. I shall say nothing of the piece, because you may read it; but be as vain as you will about your playing Bayes, you never made an audience laugh more than Henry VII has done. There for the first time I saw your rival, Mr Goodfellow; I should have said the rival Mr Lacy wants to make you; do not be quite dispirited about it, for Perkin Warbeck is much below anything I ever yet saw. Here I must ask Mr Stevens's pardon, to whom I have done injustice, for I think he may dispute the pass downstairs with Perkin, and as his head seems to be the heaviest of the two, I think he has the best right to it.--Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 49

Event Comment: Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no person to be admitted without Tickets, which will be deliver'd that day at the office at cg theatre, at half a Guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Second Gallery 3s. 6d. Galleries to be opened at half an hour after Four o'clock. Pit and Boxes at Five. To begin at half an hour after Six. The Subscribers who favoured Mr Handel last season with their subscription, are desired to send to the office at cg on the day of the performance, where two tickets shall be deliver'd to each Gratis, in order to make good the Number of Performances subscrib'd to last season. [Recitative and chorus. Words taken from Milton and Spenser (Edition of 1746). Rehearsed at Handel's lodgings on 7 Feb. Burney and DeFesch in orchestra. (Deutsch, Handel, pp. 629-30.) Librettist not known, possibly Thomas Morell.