384 
On the Construction of Theatres . 
beauty and delicacy of its composition, as in iron the 
finest specimens of antiquity could be introduced. The 
supports of the galleries should be iron. The gallery 
floor laid down fire proof, and the seats, if not iron, should 
be on iron supporters— the gallery stairs and staircase 
all iron, and the roof should have no wood at all in it, 
but be composed of hollow or solid iron, cast light, and 
if each piece was graduated from bottom to top, would 
still make it more light, and yet be equally as strong. A 
roof of this description well secured together with screws 
and bolts, &c* would not be considerably heavier than 
wood, as the iron would possess strength equal to wood, 
at less than half the thickness. 
Now it would be well to compare the advantages iron 
promises above wood, before it is adopted ; and in looking 
at its advantages, all its possible disadvantages should 
be coupled with them, in order to see it in its true point 
of view. One objection might be urged, that it would 
be difficult to erect a theatre or great public building on 
this plan. But I say there would be no difficulty in pro* 
curing men competent to undertake the erection of them, 
and who are able to plan, get made, and put together all, 
its several parts ; and in those parts where there w r as a 
field open for genius and taste to show itself, in the en- 
trances, boxes, and other conspicuous parts of the house, 
the most beautiful and unique ornaments might be made, 
and finely cast in iron, and afterwards touched up with 
the tool, and painted to imitate whatever fancy might dic- 
tate. There would be, especially in a theatre, the great- 
est scope for genius ; thus might be constructed the most 
elegant one in the world ; and one that no accident, no 
misfortune, no incendiary could destroy- — that would 
brave the utmost efforts of time to destroy it— that would 
endure for ages. Another disadvantage might be sup- 
posed, and that is the additional expense in the erection. 
This might be something more, especially if beauty was 
