In 1702 the ordinary charge for house
expenses, on the occasion of a benefit at Drury Lane, was about L34.
In Garrick's time the charge rose to L64, and was afterwards advanced
considerably. Still the actors had special sources of profit. Their
admirers and patrons were not content to pay merely the ordinary
prices of admission, but bought their tickets at advanced rates, and
often sent presents of money in addition. Thus Betterton--whose
salary, by-the-bye, was only L4 per week--took a benefit in 1709, when
he received L76 for two-thirds of the receipts upon the ordinary
scale--one-third being deducted by the manager for expenses--and a
further sum of L450 for the extra payments and presents of his
friends. The boxes and pit were "laid together," as it was called, and
half-a-guinea was charged for admission. "One lady gave him ten
guineas, some two, and most one guinea. Further, he delivered tickets
for more persons than the boxes, pit, and stage could hold, and it was
thought that he cleared L450 at least over and above the L76."
Certainly the great actor enjoyed on this occasion of his benefit what
is popularly known as "a bumper.
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