ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THEATRES* 151 



puted talents and information. Would it not be advisable, should be con- 

 to consult this board ? No harm could possibly arise from sulted « 

 such application, and much good might be the consequence. 

 If in the multitude of counsellors there may be some delay, 

 there is probably much safety* 



Having now animadverted upon the steps that should be Plans should 

 taken, before any plan is ultimately settled, I shall venture uncTeTtheeye 

 to offer a few hints upon the construction of a theatre. If of the pro-' 

 any thing, which I throw out, should become an object of P oser > 

 discussion, I trust that I may have an opportunity of ex- 

 plaining what I propose ; and if any thing be adopted from 

 my suggestions, that it may not be followed, without rny 

 being acquainted with the mode of execution. Many new or followed 

 attempts fail of their object by the introduction of addi- slrictI >- 

 tional ideas, that appear plausible ; or by the omission of 

 small circumstances, that seem in the original plan to be 

 of no material consequence. 



In building a theatre, leading ob- 



1. Security to the audience is the first and most neces- 'buildi'ng 

 sary object.. theatres, 



2. Facility of ingress and egress* 



3. Facility of seeing and hearing. 



4. Convenience to the performers. 



5. Space for scenes, with proper openings for the ma- 

 chinery. 



6. And lastly, expense* 



1. To ensure safety y common sense points out, that as For safety 

 little timber and as small a portion as possible of combus- avoil1 timber* 

 tible materials should be employed. The outside walls 

 should be constructed of stone**— the coins of laro-e blocks 

 of stone closely jointed, depending upon their own bearings and 

 not made apparently compact by mortar. Bricks for the 

 internal structure should be made under proper inspection, 

 and not worked hastily up, to fulfil a contract. All the 

 joists, rafters, and principals, and the framework of the iron. 

 partitions, should be iron. The framework of the roof Roof with 

 •should be of the same metal, with a covering of copper. c °pper, 

 No plumber should be permitted to exercise hr*s dan- and admit no 



K 9 gerous £ u r £ ber ' s 



