On the Construction of Theatres . 885 
suffered to lead, and genius permitted to exercise itself 
in the ornamental part; but suppose it was to cost ten 
thousand pounds more, what is it, in a public national 
building? especially when you are certain in construct- 
ing it in this way, you are constructing a work that will 
endure for ages. If you use wood, how can you assure 
yourselves, but by some unforeseen accident it may meet 
with the fate of the other theatres? Money must not be 
put in the scale as a competent balance against security,. 
After considering the subject, and examining the way 
Co vent Garden is built and titled up, I am more and 
more convinced in my mind, that iron might be substi- 
tuted for all the timbers, and for fitting up a theatre complete 
in the way I have before hinted, as cheap, or nearly so, as 
though it was done with wood. It is then self evident, 
it would be more durable, perfectly safe from fire, and 
much more elegant, if raised under the auspices of a man 
of genius and good taste. I am, &c. 
B. Cook® 
Caroline Street , February 20, 1810. 
Remarks. 
That the construction of theatres is a matter of public 
concern has already been very justly observed by Mr, 
Edgew orth, in his paper on this subject,* where too the use 
of iron and incombustible materials is strongly inculcated. 
Sir George Cayley likewise, in his paper, j* recommends the 
use of iron, but not to the same extent as Mr. Cook ; though 
certainly the more of it can be employed the better. There 
is one thing however of which Mr. Cook does not seem 
to be aware, and that is the necessity for trap doors and 
* See this volume of the Emporium, p. 353, 
f See page 350 of the Emporium. 
3 B 
Yol, ii. 
