Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 12.djvu/463

 us. xii. DEC. n, 1915.] NOTES AND QUERIES.

455'

into the small towns, among the less com- modious theatres and the makeshifts which passed for theatres, " foraging in flying parties, to astonish the weak minds of provincial " natives.

A document in the British Museum (Add. MS. 33,488) gives us much informa- tion which may stand as a chapter towards the history of the strolling players of the eighteenth century. First we find a list of parts (fol. 3, 4, 5) played by Mr. Charles Morison (Mrs. Morrison) in Mr. Jones's companies :

Tragedy. Hamlet, Oronoko, Othello, The Orphan, Cato, Fair Penitent, The Earl of Essex, Jane Shore, King Charles, Tamerlane, Spanish Fryar, Mourning Bride, George Barnwell, Vennice Preserved, Distress'd Mother.

Comedy. Provok'd Husband, B. Stratagem, Busy Body, Recruiting Officer, Love for Ixyve, Bold Stroke for a W T if e, Constant Couple, The Drummer, Tunnbridge Wells, The Miser, Esop, Country Lasses, The Old Bachelor, Beggars' Opera, The Committee, The Twin Rivals.

Entertainment. Devil to Pay, Mock Doctor, Virgin Unmask'd, Yorkshire Man, Lover his Own Rival, Damon & Philida, Chrononhotontho- logus, Strollers, Tom Thumb, King & the Miller, Tanner of York, Flora or Bob in the Well, Cobler of Preston, Wife Well Manag'd, The Lovers' Opera, The Vintner in the Suds, The Devil in the Wine Cellar, The Stage Coach, Toy Shop.

Truly " one man in his time plays many parts." But to return to the document under quotation. The list of performances with the amount of money received is the most illuminating part of the entire record (fol. 22), for, in spite of their lack of genius, usually, as Godwin once said (Kegan Paul, 'Wm. Godwin,' i. 259), "they paid the world in talent, to the full as well as they were paid in coin " :

Fryday Began at Cardigan, May the 8th, 1741.

s. d. The Beaux Stratagem 116

Music Candles

Ale

Paper

Remains 18

Shar'd at 6 Shares 3s. . . 18 In hand. . . . ..000

Can the reader imagine what a crowded house it was which brought in 11. Is. 6d. And yet that was a good return for the evening's entertainment : many times it amounted to 9s., or even less. Of the well-to-do who could afford to contribute, some were opposed to theatre-going on religious grounds, and others were as

whimsical about it as possible. Says Tate Wilkinson (' Wandering Patentee,' i. 161) :

"I find it very difficult on the nights appro- priated to me in the winter seasons at Hull ard York, ever to get well attended houses ; nothing will do it but giving the best bill of fare in my power, which even often fails ; and plays are so familiar everywhere in the present age, that the Million, or persons of Ton, are not so eager to get to the play, merely because the doors'are open,- unless walk in and see the surprising something is annexed and plaistered on these doors to excite criticism, judgment, and curiosity."

The same was true in London, and the- situation was not confined to the pro- vinces :

" The reasons advanced by these fickle folk were [idem, iii. 117] that ' it was a horrid play,' or ' such a rainy day,' or they would go to ' any play but that.' Yet had they the least inclina- tion, were I to proclaim I did not want an audience they would rush in, no matter what the play or what the weather, at the same tune assuring it was not to serve me, but to please themselves."

In addition to receipts some interesting expense items may be noted :

Mr. Gushing left the company May the 12th- at Carmarthen.

Saturday Begun at Landilo May the 16th 1741.

8. d~

The Spanish Fryar and Honest Yorks'm 106 " Taking the Town " ...... 010-

Wednesday Begun at Landovey May 20th 1741. The Spanish Fryar ] & Honest Yorks'm 16 6"

Thursday May the 21st 1741.

The Beaux Stratagem & P. Lovers. . 19 & Spent in Going out of Town. . &

Thursday Begun at the Hay May the 28th 1741. The Spanish Fryar and Honest

Yorksman ........ 19 6

Friday May the 29th 1741.

The Beaux Stratagem & P. Lovers. . 19 (T Waterage .......... 002

(Shares were distributed at 10s. a good division. \

Tuesday Begun at Crickowell June 2d 1741. The Spanish Fryar ...... 120

Nails and Pack Thread ...... 001

Fryday Begun at Abergavenny June 5th 1741. The Spanish Fryar and Honest

Yorks'mn. Taken ...... 090

Musick

Candles

Ale

Paper

Rent

Nails and Pack Thread

Spent. .

Charges. . Remains. . Shar'd at 5 Shares, Is.

In hand

1

1

7 2 3

3 6



5 5

9 3