On the Construction of Theatres . 35/ 
JLtire where iron was to be used, and to frame the material 
together upon mechanical, principles of strength and light- 
ness. 
As to the roof, it could no doubt he made lighter and 
cheaper of iron than of timber at the present price of that 
material. Cotton mills are frequently floored with hol- 
low bricks, which are light ; and these may be covered 
with carpetting. 
Many other parts of the theatre might be constructed 
of iron and copper; and stucco might be introduced in 
many places instead of wood. There are kinds of tim- 
ber that do not flame ; these, though not very durable, 
might be employed for floors and benches. And where 
deal is absolutely necessary, it may be covered or imbued 
with a wash, that in some degree will retard inflamma- 
tion. After the wood work that requires painting has 
received two coats of oil paint, it may be finished with a 
coat in distemper, which may frequently be renewed at 
small expense, and without the disagreeable smell of oil 
paint. 
To heat the green room, dressing rooms, and the with- 
drawing rooms, steam might be advantageously employ- 
ed; and the boiler to supply the steam should be so 
placed, as to serve at a moment’s warning, to work a 
steam engine of force sufficient to draw water at once 
from the Thames, and to drive it with a strong impulse 
wherever it should be wanted. This steam engine should 
be strongly enclosed in a building, to which access on 
every side could be easily obtained. 
2. Some of the theatres at Paris have commodious 
avenues; but not one theatre in London has been so 
placed, or so constructed, as to afford tolerable con- 
venience either to the higher qr lower class of spec- 
tators. 
