B 82 On the Construction of Theatres . 
tion. I will begin with the stage-all the upright and 
cross supporters should be iron, cast lights fitted, and 
screwed or pinned together, and to make it fire proof, 
projecting edges might be cast on the bottom of each 
spar, so that when laid down to lay the floor upon, tiles 
or quarries made thin and light on purpose might be laid 
between the spars, forming a solid fire proof bottom. 
Then the boards for the stage might be laid down and 
screwed to the spars; the same principle acted upon 
through all the rooms, and all the doors neatly made of 
iron, with pannels to fall into the mouldings neatly screw 
ed in, which when painted would be as handsome as 
mahogany. The stairs and staircases all cast and fitted 
together in the way recommended in your Journal, No. 
107, would be much more beautiful than it is possible 
to make wood, without going to a very great expense, 
and then not half so durable. They would be much 
cheaper than stone also. In fact, I would introduce 
little or no wood at all, except the floors, and these I 
would lay down fire proof.- — It would then be impossible 
for fire to be communicated to the different parts of the 
house, was the vilest incendiary to gain admission under 
cover of the night, and fire the boards of the stage and 
scenery, there being none, or but little admission of air 
from below, owing to the fire proof bottom, it could make 
its way but very slowly, and then only the boards and 
scenery could be burnt. All communication being cut 
off with the adjoining rooms by the iron doors, it could 
not consume their contents, and the supporters of the 
floorings, being iron, could not conduct the flame. The 
front of the stage and orchestra should be iron ; the or- 
chestra in particular would be extremely handsome, cast 
with beautiful festoons of flowers or trophies, and painted 
in character. The flooring of the pit laid on arches could 
not be in danger, and the seats of the pit also should he 
