On the Construction of Theatres. 36 £ 
Upon my inquiring why he spoke in that manner, he said 
that he had not raised his voice above its ordinary piteho 
Upon looking about I perceived a large earthen jar be- 
hind me, which proved the cause of this increase of sound : 
for upon repeated trials the voice of my friend sounded 
as usual when I stood in any other part of the cockpit, 
but that in which the vase was placed. To the best of 
my recollection the jar was about five feet high, and 
twenty inches in diameter. I remember well, that it 
rung clearly, but slowly, when struck with the knuckle* 
By what means, and by what materials, the pulses of 
sound may be best returned for the purposes we have in 
view, is a subject for the joint efforts of mathematics and 
experiment. 
Among other expedients pannelling the backs of the 
boxes with thin elastic plates of brass might be tried. 
A saving and advantage would certainly arise in all 
cases from using iron, or copper, instead of wood; they 
would not require renewal for many years, and they 
would be a preservative against fire. The prompter’s 
box might certainly be improved, so as to throw the 
prompter’s voice more distinctly upon the stage, and to 
prevent its being heard by the audience. 
4. Convenience to performers. Notwithstanding the 
reveries of Rousseau, and the declamations of the over- 
righteous, actors have risen in the estimation of the pub- 
lic. We have seen with rational and sincere pleasure 
the excellent conduct of many female performers. I con- 
sider this reform as highly advantageous to morality, and 
it becomes a duty in the managers of a theatre, to aecom 
modate the performers with every possible convenience, 
so that they may enjoy that English word comfort , which 
in all situations of life tends to promote independance and 
morality. 
Yol. it 
Y Y 
