35 b On the Construction of Theatres . 
ty, which those who remain at home must suffer during 
the absence of their friends at the theatre. Nothing 
should be left to embitter the cup of innocent pleasure, 
and “assurance should be made doubly sure/’ where 
great hazards are run, from no greater motive than the 
hope of an hour’s amusement. 
Covent-garden playhouse is now rebuilding without 
any previous appeal to the public, that I have heard of, 
as to the plan or precautions, that are to be followed in 
its construction. I know, that some hints were sent on 
these subjects, which were not even considered, at least 
not noticed, till after the plan was arranged. Surely it 
must be infinitely more advantageous to the proprietors 
and to the nation, that a short delay should take place 
before a plan is ultimately arranged, than that a new r 
theatre should be opened ten days sooner, or ten days 
later. 
The glaring defect, or to speak more properly, the ob 
vious blunder in the building of Drury-lane theatre, was 
the introduction of timber as a frame work for bricks and 
stone; this is a fault common to buildings in London, 
where the public safety is without hesitation sacrificed to 
the interests of individuals. — -But to construct a wooden 
theatre is an absurdity too gross, to pass without ani- 
madversion. A frame- work of timber, filled with cores 
of brick or stone, and cased perhaps with brick or plan- 
ter, is opened for the reception of the public, who are to 
ran the risk of sudden destruction from a spark of fire, or 
a snuff of candle, from the fireworks and lightning of 
comedy and tragedy, of pantomime and farce, without 
any probable means of escape, or any security, except 
what a few hogsheads of water in a cistern on the top of 
the house can afford. — No future prologue at the open- 
ing of a new theatre could re-assure the audience upon this 
subject. 
