On the Construction of Theatres . 383 
iron, the supporters of the seats cast light, and the seats 
made in pannels from three to six feet, neatly cast to fall 
into the mouldings with round edges, so that when the 
supporters were fixed, the framing laid down, and screw 
ed firm, then the pannels should be let into the mould 
ings, and fastened with screws also. The seats made in 
this way would be quite as neat, and all the objection I 
see is, that iron would be colder than wood ; but when 
they are covered, that objection in part would vanish— at 
all events, the supporters of the seats might be iron, if the 
seats were wood. The framing for the boxes might all 
be of iron, and the seats iron also, for they are stuffed, 
therefore iron could be no objection. Then the parti- 
tions of the boxes might be very neatly managed and 
light, being all cast in open work, and the fronts of the 
boxes might also be cast in scrolls, Gothic, or in tro 
phies, in fact, in any way, figure, or shape, fancy might 
invent, more tastefully, more light and elegant, than it is 
possible to do it in any other way. Then, if it was 
wished, the fronts of the boxes might be rendered warm, 
if the open work was objected to as cold, by lining them 
inside with cloth or velvet, which would form a very 
handsome ground, on which the scroll or fancy work of 
the boxes would be seen to great advantage ; the back of 
the boxes and doors 1 would propose of iron laid in pan- 
nels, and tastefully painted or lined— a person would not 
be able to discover, whether they were made with wood 
or iron inside, if well managed in the padding. The 
lobbies, the small staircases, the railing, the supporters 
and framing of all kinds should be iron, and all the floors 
should be laid on fire proof floorings. The grand stair- 
case might be made to have a beautiful effect, if a man of 
fancy and genius was to design it ; and the whole of the 
grand entrance might be such, as would strike the behold- 
er with amazement at its novelty, and the mind at the 
