It is strange that so far we have met with no theatrical or musical advertisement or public notice of any forthcoming amusement, for it appeared most probable that as soon as ever advertising became at all popular it would have been devoted to the interest of all pursuits of pleasure. In 1700, however, we come upon what must be considered the really first advertisement issued from a playhouse, and, as a curiosity, reproduce it from the columns of the _Flying Post_ of July 4:-- ☞ AT the request and for the Entertainment of several persons of quality at the _New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields_, to morrow, being Friday the 5th of this instant, _July_, will be acted “The Comical History of _Don Quixote_,” both parts made into one by the author. With a new entry by the little boy, being his last time of dancing before he goes to _France_: Also Mrs. _Elford’s_ new entry, never performed but once and Miss _Evans’s_ jigg and _Irish_ dance: with several new comical dances, composed and performed by Monsier _L’Sac_ and others. Together with a new Pastoral Dialogue, by Mr _Gorge_ and Mrs _Haynes_, and variety of other singing. It being for the benefit of a gentleman in great distress, and for the relief of his wife and 3 children. This lead was soon followed by more important houses, and in a very few years we have lists regularly published of the amusements at all theatres. Theatrical managers have in all times been blessed with a strong faculty of imitation, and though it seems immensely developed just now, the lessees of a hundred and seventy years ago were just as keen to follow the scent of anything which had proved fortunate on the venture of any one possessed of pluck or originality. We have reserved for the end of this chapter two advertisements of an individual who, according to his own showing, would have been invaluable to some of the members of the various school boards of the present, and have enabled them to keep pace with the pupils under their supervision, a consummation devoutly to be wished. However, if we cannot have Mr Switterda, some other _deus ex machinâ_ may yet arise. The first is from the _Postman_ of July 6-9, and runs thus:--