Rich, at the Lincoln's-Inn-Fields theatre, by whom it was accepted,
but not without hesitation. It ran for 62 nights (not 63 nights, as
has been stated in some authorities) in the season of 1727-1728; of
these, 32 nights were in succession; and, from the original
Account-book of the manager, C.M. Rich, I am enabled to give an
exact statement of the money taken at the doors on each night,
distinguishing such performances as were for the benefit of the
author, viz. the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 15th nights, which put exactly
693l. 13s. 6d. into Gay's pocket. This is a new circumstance in the
biography of one of our most fascinating English writers, whether in
prose or verse. Rich records that the king, queen, and {179}
princesses were present on the 21st repetition, but that was by no
means one of the fullest houses. The very bill sold at the doors on
the occasion has been preserved, and hereafter may be furnished for
the amusement of your readers. It appears, that when the run of the
_Beggar's Opera_ was somewhat abruptly terminated by the advance of
the season and the benefits of the actors, the "takings," as they
were and still are called, were larger than ever. The performances
commenced on 29th January, 1728, and that some striking novelty was
required at the Lincoln's-Inn-Fields theatre, to improve the
prospects of the manager, may be judged from the fact that the new
tragedy of _Sesostris_, brought out on the 17th January, was played
for the benefit of its author (John Sturm) on its 6th night to only
58l. 19s., while the house was capable of holding at least 200l.

In the following statement of the receipts to the _Beggar's Opera_,
I have not thought it necessary to insert the days of the months:--

£ s. d.
Night 1 - - - 169 12 0