Notes
Harlequin Ranger oblig'd to be deferr'd
Cross: a new Dramatic Entertainmt. call'd Taste written by Mr. Foote. The House was full as soon as open – before the first Music, several Speeches were made in ye. Pit, moving the Farce might be acted before the Play, wch. was insisted on by some, & oppos'd by others – Cross, Cross, Prompter &c was often call'd – The Curtain went up, & ye. Clamour encreas'd, ye. farce &c Mr. Mossop (who did Zanga) came off – I went on, & spoke – Gentlemen, I perceive the farce has been desir'd before ye. Play, wch. cannot becomply'd with, for ye. performers in ye. Farce, having nothing to do in the Play, are not come – a great applause follow'd – Mr. Mossop went on again – but ye. noise renew'd, & he retir'd again, & wanted to undress wch. I prevented; Mr. Lacy (Manager) then went on, & spoke to ye. same Effect I had done – The play was then call'd for, & it went on with Applause – Tho' I believe the Audience wish'd it over – The play done – Mr. Garrick spoke ye. Prologue in the Character of An Auctioneer, with surprizing Applause – when he had done, he made this Apology – Gents – a performer being taken ill, the author, Mr. Foote, is here, & will if you please, perform his part, – this he spoke in a Hesitating manner, & was greatly applauded – the first Act went off well, & Mr. Worsdale, a painter, (to whom Mr. Foote had given the profits of the farce) play'd a Woman's part, & was greatly receiv'd – when Mr. Foote came on – he made this Speech – Gent: I have left the Stage some time, nor have I any hopes of Profit from this Piece, but as a performer is taken ill I had rather appear my self, than have so many people, whom Curiosity has drawn together, be disappoint'd – Great Applause – In ye. Second Act, the people grew Dull, & towards ye. End, hiss'd greatly, wch. I believe wou'd not have been, had not Mr. Foote, bid Blakes pull off his Wig at ye. Discovery of Mr. Puff – vide Farce – it ended with ye. Usual Noise, when given out, of No more – Encore &c &c Sunday we had great debates about it, & at last it ended that it shou'd be play'd no more 'till Mr. Worsdale's benefit & an advertisement was put into the paper to signifie that as ye. Farce was not so well receiv'd as was expected the Author had withdrawn it to Alter &c &c & we put up – we were told on Monday it wou'd be call'd for by the Audience; but no such thing happen'd. The fact concerning the performer's being taken ill is this – At ye. practise, the Night before, Mr. Foote seem'd dissatisfied with Mr. Yates in the part of Puff, so got Mr. Garrick next Day, to prevail with Mr. Yates to let 'em say he was sick, that Mr. Foote might have occasion to do the part