When I went out of town last autumn, the reigning madness was Farinelli[1]: I find it now turned on Pasquin, a dramatic satire on the times[2]. It has had almost as long a run as the Beggar's Opera; but, in my opinion, not with equal merit, though it has humour. Monstrous preparations are making for the royal wedding[3]. Pearl, gold and silver, embroidered on gold and silver tissues. I am too poor and too dull to make one among the fine multitude. The newspapers say, my lord Carteret's youngest daughter is to have the duke of Bedford[4]. I hear nothing of it from the family; but think it not unlikely. The duke of Marlborough and his grandmother are upon bad terms. The duke of Bedford, who has also been ill treated by her, has offered the duke of Marlborough to supply him with ten thousand pounds a year, if he will go to law and torment the old dowager. The duke of Chandos's marriage has made a great noise; and the poor duchess is often reproached with her being bred up in Burr street, Wapping[5].
- ↑ A celebrated Italian singer.
- ↑ This was written by Henry Fielding, esq., and was a rehearsal of a comedy and a tragedy; the comedy was called "The Election," and the tragedy, "The Life and Death of Queen Common Sense." This and some other dramatick satires, by the same author, levelled against the administration of the late lord Orford, produced an act of parliament for licensing the stage, and limiting the number of playhouses, which was passed in 1737.
- ↑ Of Frederick, prince of Wales.
- ↑ His grace married miss Gower, daughter of the lord Gower by his first wife, on the 1st of April, 1737.
- ↑ She was lady Daval, widow of sir Thomas Daval, and had a fortune of 40,000l.
