272 THE DRAMATIC PATENTS EXAMINED. 



that they are not too large. The captain says the minors take 

 40,000/. a year from the majors, and he puts down a loss of 40,000/. 

 a year to that one cause. The captain indiscreetly proves too much, 

 if he proves any thing ; for, were his statement correct, it would be 

 conclusive evidence that the public have countenanced the smaller 

 theatres, and abandoned the two large ones to their fate. 

 Captain Forbes says that the average loss of the last ten sea- 

 sons is 20,000* 



Mr. Robertson shows that the average net income of the first 



twelve seasons was 66,289 



Captain Forbes shews that the average income of the last three 



seasons was 44,666 



Annual difference 21,623 



It has been shown, from Mr. Harris's statements, that during the 

 twelve first seasons the house was not on average much more than 

 half filled with spectators. Applying the same rule to the three 

 last seasons alluded to by Captain Forbes, it appears that the sum re- 

 ceived on each night averaged 240/., which is 116/. less than was 

 received on an average during the first twelve seasons; but the 

 house will hold 650/., and consequently it was not quite two-fifths, 

 and considerably less than half filled. Did the public, then that 

 public which, when the gorgeous house added to its splendour a 

 matchless company gradually gave up their old enjoyment, and only 

 about half filled the theatre, and, on an average of the twelve first sea- 

 sons, did not contribute money enough towards the regular drama to 

 cover its expenses ? Has that public which, during the last ten seasons, 

 so abandoned it as to cause a loss of 20,000/. a season has the public 

 in these twenty-two seasons preferred the large houses? The ques- 

 tions are answered by Mr. Charles Kemble and Captain Forbes, and 

 the house is utterly and irretrievably condemned. 



The inherent vice is in the two patents, which have been treated as 

 if they had been exclusive instead of permissive ; the folly, in those 

 whom reason cannot persuade, and experience cannot convince. 

 Taking a narrow view of the subject never, indeed, looking at it as 

 a whole, but substituting a part for the whole they have, on all occa- 

 sions, put the public out of the question, and reasoned only to and for 

 themselves. The changes in manners seem to have been either unknown 

 to or disregarded by them. As little do they appear to have been 

 conscious of the consequences of their own proceedings, in rapidly 

 promoting these changes, and driving away the audiences from their 

 own houses. Even at the present moment they seem to be as igno- 

 rant, as infatuated, and as careless of public opinion as ever. In the 

 evidence which they one and all gave before the House of Commons' 

 Committee, they looked merely to what they considered their own 

 pecuniary interest, quite regardless of the public, by whom, and by 



* Dramatic Committee. No 1841, evidence of Captain Forbes. 



Produce of the season .... 182930 50,000 ^ 



Ditto 183031 42,000 J average 44,060 



Ditto 183132 42,000 3 



