On Thursday 23rd January 1783 the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket opened its doors to the public for an evening masquerade. In attendance were the Prince of Wales, some gentleman of nobility and several actresses or courtesans of the frail sisterhood, including the subject of three articles on this site: Sarah Maria Adcock. Sarah was also known by her ‘married’ name Mrs Wilson – she probably never married the comedian Richard Wilson – and by the soubriquets, the Goldfinch and Our Bridget. In a rare departure for the press of the time, she is mentioned in Parker’s General & Morning Intelligencer for her wit as much as she is for her fashion sense. The press were often unkind and disapproving of her behaviour, though had much time for her acting talent, considering her superior to Farren and one of the greatest actresses of the era.
Parker’s follow their description of Sarah’s appearance at the masquerade with a paragraph dedicated to the entrance of her closest rival, Perdita aka Mary Robinson, who ‘marched in’ on the proceedings with lover Tarleton and was not even regarded by her former paramour the Prince of Wales. Parker’s account is full of delicious detail and cryptic inference, now lost on most modern audiences, but is a fabulous resource for contextual research. Here is the full article :
Masquerade Intelligence
‘Thursday evening there was a masked ball at the King’s Theatre, in the Haymarket, on which occasion all the new rooms were thrown open to the public.
‘The stage was thrown over the pit, and several recessed were formed, which had the appearance of entrances into groves, and produced the most beautiful effect. The house was illuminated with wax.
‘At one o’clock there were at least a thousand persons in the rooms, and at three they had encreased to about fourteen hundred, among whom were his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and several of the male nobility and gentry, but scarcely any women of fashion.
‘Dominoes were the prevailing dresses, but the few characters which appeared were well sustained, and wit and humour flowed in pleasing circulation.
‘The characters were a gypsy with two children at her back, supported by Mrs. Corbyn, who told fortunes with, and smiled upon her customers, with eyes and dimples, fascinating as Circe.’
What They Were Wearing…
‘Mrs. Mahon, a la militaire, her uniform covered with a white domino, was armed with Cupid’s sharpest arrows; she was accompanied by Miss Greenhill, a nouvelle beauty in the Cyprian walks, her countenance warmly expressive of sensibility, and highly dangerous from its apparent innocence. This Lady is Hibernian.
‘The Highland Moggy, and the Highland Laird, were the two most admired characters, and danced excellent reels.
‘A music master, who was a fellow of good humour, with a brain not destitute of crotchets.
‘A Dutch doctor, a good harlequin, a remarkable witty little hunch back woman, and a very stupid stock broker.
‘Mrs. Wilson in a riding habit, her sister Miss Adcock in the dress of Rosina. The little goldfinch said several good things, and was much admired for the smartness of her repartees.
‘Mrs. Robinson marched in couple with Col. T_____n; they both wore black dominos; the lady with a ramilie tail down to her heel. It was remarked, that this lady was not noticed by her Royal Lover, but that she particularly noticed many, and with a familiarity not bordering on constancy.
‘Lady Worsley, in a blue silk habit, covered with a long gauze veil, sported in wanton dalliance with a variety of lovers. There were also Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Read, Mrs. Cuyler, Kit Frederick, Mrs. Johnson, accompanied as usual, with a female child; and several hundred others of the meretricious tribe.
‘Two reapers were remarkably well supported. The dress was elegant, and they danced remarkably well.
‘There were several women in breeches, all disgustful, except one who wore a livery, and had beauty sufficient for love’s own page.’
What They Had For Supper…
‘The supper consisted of cold chickens, meat pies, lamb, brawn, boiled and roast beef, ham, sallad, blanc-mange, &c. and was plentifully served. There was also plenty of wines, under the denomination French, but most of them without the quality; this however was excused on account of the war with France-but as peace is determined, it is to be hoped, that on the next occasion of this kind, the company will be indulged with genuine juice of the grape’.
MJ Holman @mishjholman
Other articles about Sarah Maria Wilson nee Adcock:
The Courtesan Actress and the Press
More from the Frail Sisterhood
