University of Virginia Library

PREFACE

Above thirty years ago, Mr. Wilks (then one of the
patentees of the theatre royal) gave an old manuscript
play, call'd, The Guiltless Adultress; or, Judge in
his own Cause, to Mr Theophilus Cibber, who was then
manager of what us'd to be call'd, the summer company. This
company consisted, in general, of the junior part of the performers;
who, during the vacation time, commonly acted twice, or thrice,
a week. As they play'd on shares (divided in proportion according
to their several salaries stipulated in the winter) their
endeavours to please the town generally produc'd 'em double
pay, on those nights; sometimes more.

This kept most of 'em from strolling into the country, for the
summer season: it added to their income, and gave 'em an opportunity
of getting forward in their business, in a more regular
manner, than has been practis'd of late years. It had its effect:
performers then try'd their force in characters, in the summer;
and became, by practice therein, gradually acquainted with
their business, and the town with them. Nor was every one
suppos'd to be equal, at their very setting out, to the most capital
characters of the drama.

But to return to the play.—By the hand, and the long time
it had been in the possession of the managers, it was suppos'd to
have been one of Sir William D'Avenant's (formerly a
patentee) and, by the opening of the piece, palpably was founded
on a play of Massenger's, call'd, The Fatal Dowry—
(this last piece has often been enquired after in vain)—Mr.
Wilks recommended it to Mr. Cibber to be got up in the
summer, with some alterations—It lay by some time.—In
the year 1733, it was intended for the stage in the summer—
But the performers were then shut out of the theatre, by the
then patentees of Drury-Lane.—A candid account of which
will be given, when Mr. Cibber has a proper opportunity to
speak thereof, in his purpos'd history of the stage.

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In the following year when the principal comedians of that
time return'd from the theatre in the Hay-Market, and play'd
under the direction of Mr. Fletewood, it was propos'd
agen to have a summer company; as the use of it, both to the
actors and managers, had been experienced. Many light pieces
were then reviv'd, and several new petit pieces brought on the
stage; such as, The Devil to Pay, The Mock Doctor, &c.
which prov'd afterwards lasting entertainments in the winter
season.

'Twas in The Devil to Pay, in a summer season, Mrs.
Clive (then Miss Raftor) first surpriz'd a delighted audience
with a proof of her extraordinary genius, in the character
of Nell. Her spirited simplicity, and strong natural humour,
carried her thro' the part with an astonishing variety, and propriety.
She shew'd herself an excellent original.—She has
had many followers, some imitators; and, 'tis but justice to
add, no equal. She then promis'd to be, what she has since
prov'd, one of the first performers of the stage: and, when judiciously
examined in the general various cast of parts she acts, 'tis
imagined, she will be allow'd not to be inferior to any performer
of her time.

Well, this is digression on digression—(pardon it, reader,
and let it pass)—In 1734, a summer company was agen propos'd.
They play'd once the play of George Barnwell, to a
very great house. The manager (jealous, least the company
shou'd get too much) order'd the farther acting to be stopp'd.
It was judg'd, indeed, the jealousy of some actors (who were
not concern'd in the summer) gave this advice—so the affair
dropp'd—and there has been no summer playing since.

But, to return to our play.—On a revisal, it was judg'd to
want some alterations—Accordingly, Mr. Cibber requested
his kind friend the late Mr. Hill (who was never happier
than when he had an opportunity to do a friendly office) to
correct it—How much he was taken with the play, will
appear on a perusal of some letters of his relative thereto, (publish'd
in his collection) and sent to Mr. Theophilus
Cibber, about the year 1746.—Let it suffice here, to add—
Mr. Hill almost new wrote the whole; and the last act was
entirely his in conduct, sentiment, diction, &c.

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It was brought on the stage at the theatre in the Hay-Market
early this year, 1758—When his Grace the Duke of Devonshire
humanely consider'd the unfortunate, extraordinary
condition of a comedian (who has had more frequent opportunities
of happily entertaining the town) and gave him liberty
to try his fortune, awhile, at the little theatre in the Hay-
Market.

But what mighty matters could be hop'd, from a young,
raw, unexperienced company, hastily collected, and as hastily
to be employ'd (but sinking men catch at reeds) while
establish'd theatres were open to entertain the town, with the
united force of tragedy, comedy, opera, pantomime, song, dance,
and a long train of et ceteras—Some rational, and some other exhibitions,
which are so frequently follow'd in a winter season?

Mr. Cibber was out of pocket by his undertaking; yet
this does not prevent his having a grateful sense of the favours
he received, from those noble personages, and other friends,
who have frequently pratonis'd his undertakings.—To acknowledge
a favour, is but gratitude—To name the persons, might
appear vanity.

It may not be improper, on this occasion to signify, as Mr.
Cibber has not had the wish'd success at the theatre in the
Hay-Market—That Mr. Rich has, with great good-nature,
granted the use of his theatre in Covent-Garden to Mr. Cibber,
for his benefit, the beginning of next month—when a new
mock-tragedy, (which many persons of taste have approv'd of,
and which the author has kindly allow'd Mr. Cibber to make
use of on this occasion) will be acted, with all the variety of
scenes, machines, songs, dirges, processions, &c. &c.—requisite
to embellish (a-la-moderne) this extraordinary heroick piece.