London's Entertainment to 'Four Indian Kings'

There was announced in The Public Advertiser for Jan. 3, 1759, as having 'just arrived from America, and to be seen at the New York Coffee-House in Sweeting's Alley, a famous Mohawk Indian warrior....a sight worthy the curiosity of every True Briton.' It was added that this was 'the only Indian that has been in England since the reign of Queen Anne;' and it is curious to note how certain Indians then were welcomed.

In The Post Man for April 20-22 1710 it was recorded that

The Four Indian Kings, or Chiefs, of the 5 Nations of Indians laying between New England, New York, Canada or New France, who arrived here some days ago, had on Wednesday last [April 19th] their Publick audience of Her Majesty in great ceremony, being conducted thereunto in 2 of Her Majesty's Coaches by Sir Charles Cottrel, Master of the Ceremonies. They went yesterday to Greenwich and were Entertain'd on board one of Her Majesty's Yatchs [sic].

But this was only the beginning of their round of entertainment, which was a marked feature of London's social life during their stay; and the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket was particularly in evidence in this direction. 'The Old Batchelor' with Betterton in the leading part was announced to be given there for 'the Entertainment of the Four Indian Kings lately arriv'd from America' on Monday April 24th; but this was altered - probably because of the serious illness of Betterton, who died a few days later, to 'a play call'd Macbeth,' though 'the tickets deliver'd for 'The Old Batchelor' will be taken at this Play.' The management seems to have been so well satisfied with the experiment that on the next night it gave an opera entitled 'Almahide,' again 'for the Entertainment of the Four Indian Kings,' though Drury Lane had advertised for the same evening, and likewise 'for the Entertainment of the Four Indian Kings lately arriv'd from North America' the play of Aurungzebe; or, The Great Mogul,' presumably from some odd mental association of Red Indians [sic] with natives of India

It is uncertain from the manner in which the advertisements were lumped together in The Daily Courant for the Wednesday - April 26 - whether 'Venice Preserv'd' at the Queen's or 'The Emperour of the Moon' at Drury Lane, though probably the latter, was designed specially to be 'For the Entertainment of Four Indian Kings lately arriv'd from North America, &c. Tee Yee Neen Ho Ga Row, Emperour of the Six Nations, Sa Ga Yean Qua Rash Tow, King of the Maquas, E Tow oh Kaom, King of the River Nation, On Nee Yeath Tow No Riow, King of Granahjoh-Hore.'

Drury Lane, however, certainly carried on the competition, by playing on the Friday evening a comedy 'never acted but once' named ''Squire Brainless, or Trick upon Trick' for the Entertainment of the Four indian Kings lately arriv'd from Northern America, it being the last time of their appearing at a play.'

Their entertainment was not yet at an end, for on the saturday, and specifically once more 'for the entertainment of Four Indian Kings lately arrived in this Kingdom' was to be seen 'at the Cockpit Royal in Cartwright Street the south side of St James's Park, the Royal Sport of Cock-fighting for 2 guineas a battle, A pair of Shagbags fight for 5l, and a Battle Royal.

The drama and the cockpit thus having done their best respectively to elevate and enliven the visitors, music was afforded its chance, it being announced that 'at the desire of several ladies of quality, and for the entertainment of the Emperor of the Mohocks, and the three Indian Kings, (being the last time of their appearance in public) on Monday the 1st of May, for the benefit of Mrs Hemmings, at the Great Room in York-Buildings, will be presented a consort of vocal and instrumental music by the best masters.'

Sport reasserted two days later its claims, for on May 3rd, and once again 'For the entertainment of the Four Indian Kings,' a trial of skill was announced to be fought at the Bear-Garden at Hockley in the Hole, between 'John Parkes from Coventry, and Thomas Hesgate, a Barkshire-Man, at these following weapons, viz. Back-Sword, Sword and Dagger, Sword and Buckler, Single falchon, Case of Falchons, and Quarter-Staff.'

Whether it was that the novelty of their attraction had worn off, or that our Indian visitors had left town, this seems to have been the last pastime advertised for their entertainment. But the Londoner, ever desirous, like the athenian of old, to tell or to hear some new thing, was speedily provided with a not dissimilar show, as the Queen's Theatre announced for May 4th a revival of 'The Play of King Harry the 4th, with the humours of Sir John Falstaff, for the entertainment of Don Venturo Zary, the emperor of Morocco's minister, and Elhaz Guzman the Royal Messenger from the said Emperor Muley Ismail to Her Majesty, with their attendants in their several habits &c, having never as yet appeared in publick.' It was specially noted that 'There will be no play in Drury Lane this night'; but 'Old Drury' made up for this lack a week later by announcing to be acted 'a novelty, or Three Plays in One, with Six Entertainments of Dances, for the entertainment of several foreigners.' This last brings not improbably a satiric touch, and one wonders, in the end, what 'the Four Indian Kings' thought of, and how far they enjoyed, their very varied entertainments in London.