. Old and new London : a narrative of its history, its people, and its places. , seats were builton the stage sufficient to accommodate a largenumber of persons ; but this arrangement was suchan obstruction to the actors that it was abolished by Covent Garden Theatre.) PEG WOFFINGTON. Garrick. At the time of the death of John Richin 1761, the ground-rent had been raised from^100 to ^300 per annum, and the property wasestimated at ;^6o,ooo. In 1792, when the Dukeof Bedford, as ground-landlord, granted a newlease, it was at the rate of ^2^940 a year. It was at Covent Garden that Handel, in 1741,
. Old and new London : a narrative of its history, its people, and its places. , seats were builton the stage sufficient to accommodate a largenumber of persons ; but this arrangement was suchan obstruction to the actors that it was abolished by Covent Garden Theatre.) PEG WOFFINGTON. Garrick. At the time of the death of John Richin 1761, the ground-rent had been raised from^100 to ^300 per annum, and the property wasestimated at ;^6o,ooo. In 1792, when the Dukeof Bedford, as ground-landlord, granted a newlease, it was at the rate of ^2^940 a year. It was at Covent Garden that Handel, in 1741,produced his great oratorio, the Afessiak. Thefashion of the day was against him, though he was royalties went to the Hayniarket when it was thefashion to frequent the other opera in LincolnsInn Fields. Lord Chesterfield one night cameinto the latter, and was asked if he had been atthe other house. Yes, said he; but there wasno one there but the king and queen; and as Ithought they might be talking business, I camestraight away. It was at Covent Garden that the fascinatincj. INTERIOR OF COVENT GARDEN THEATRE IN 1S04. supported by the court, the mob, and the poet ofcommon sense, Alexander Pope, who records inhis ? Dunciad how, on finding it impossible tohold his own against the Italian faction. Handelquietly withdrew to Ireland for a year or so, tillthe tide should turn in his favour. Handelhas set up an oratorio, writes Horace Walpolein 1742, against the operas, and it well was Handel avenged. In a few yearsthe Italian Opera House in the Haymarket wentout of fashion, and the nobility set up their ownrival house in Lincolns Inn Fields. What theCourt then patronised, observes Charles Knight,the aristocracy rejected. As usual, Horace Wal-pole has a cynical story to tell upon the subject. Hewrites thus to ^Slr. Conway, in 1761 :—The late116—Vol. III. Irish actress, Margaret Wofiington, made her firstappearance upon a London and her last upon anystage. Her choice of
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