p. 29 _The London-Cuckolds._ Ravenscroft’s rollicking comedy, which had been produced with great success at the Duke’s House in 1682 (4to, 1682), long kept the boards with undiminished favour, being very frequently given each season. Genest has the following true and pertinent remark: ‘If it be the province of Comedy not to retail morality to a yawning pit but to make the audience laugh and to keep them in good humour this play must be allowed to be one of the best Comedies in the English language.’ 29 October (the old Lord Mayor’s Day), 1751, Garrick substituted _Eastward Hoe_ at Drury Lane for the annual performance of _The London Cuckolds_, a change not approved by the audience, who promptly damned their new fare. Ravenscroft’s comedy was given that evening at Covent Garden, and on 9 November, the following year. It was also performed there in 1753. 9 November, 1754, George II ordered _The Provoked Husband_. It has often been stated (e.g. by Professor A. W. Ward--‘Ravenscroft’--_Dictionary of National Biography_) that this royal command gave _The London Cuckolds_ its final _congé_, but such was neither the intent nor the case. The play is billed at Covent Garden, 10 November, 1755; in 1757; and 9 November, 1758. Shuter excelled as Dashwell. A two act version was played at Covent Garden, 10 April, 1782, and repeated on the 12th. This was for the benefit of Quick, who acted Doodle. p. 30 _Your Honour . . . must be set down at Long’s._ Long’s was a famous Ordinary in the Haymarket. It was here that in 1678 Lord Pembroke killed Mr. Coney with his fist. He was tried by his Peers and acquitted. There was at the same period a second tavern in Covent Garden kept by Ben Long, Long’s brother. In Dryden’s _Mr. Limberham_ (1678), Brainsick cries: ‘I have won a wager to be spent luxuriously at Long’s.’ In Etheredge’s _The Man of Mode_ (1676), the following conversation occurs:-- _Bellair._ Where do you dine? _Dorimant._ At Long’s or Locket’s. _Medley._ At Long’s let it be.