Note 215 — APPENDIX,
Reading edition
To the honour of Sir John Fielding, he once attempted to prevent its being performed, but the attempt failed. Since that time it has been so completely disfigured by Mr. Charles Bannister being disguised in the character of Polly, and Macheath personated by Mrs. Cargill, etc. etc. etc., that no person who had the least pretensions to taste would be seen at such a drama in masquerade.