I T may be thought that we should not wholly omit the Drama, which makes fo great and fo lucrative a part of Poetry. But this Province is fo well taken care of, by the prefent Managers of the Theatre, that it is perfectly needlefs to fuggeft to them any other Methods than they have already practifed for the advancement of the Bathos. Here therefore, in the Name of all our Brethren, let me return our fincere and humble Thanks to the most August Mr. Barton Booth, the most Serene Mr. Robert Wilks, and the moft Undaunted Mr. Colley Cibber; of whom let it be known, when the People of this Age fall be Ancestors, and to all the Succeffion of our Succeffors, that to this prefent Day they continue to Out-do even their own Cut-doings: And when the inevitable Hand of fweeping Time fhall have brushed off all the Works of To-day, may this Teftimony of a Cotemporary Critic to their Fame, be extended as far as To-morrow. Yet, if to fo wife an Administration it be poffible any thing can be added, it is that more ample and comprehenfive Scheme which Mr. Dennis and Mr. Gildon (the two greatest Critics and Reformers then living) made publick in the year 1720, in a Project signed with their names, and dated the 2d of February. I cannot better conclude than by presenting the Reader with the Subftance of it. 1. It is propofed, that the two Theatres be incorporated into one Company; that the Royal Academy of Mufic be added to them as an Ŏrcheftra; and that Mr. Figg with his Prize-fighters, and Violante with the Rope-dancers, be admitted in Partnership. 2. That a fpacious Building be erected at the Publick expence, capable of containing at least ten thousand Spectators, which is become abfolutely neceffary by the great addition of Children and Nurses to the Audience, fince the new Entertainments. That there be a Stage as large as the Athenian, which was near ninety thousand geometrical paces fquare, and feparate divifions for the two Houfes of Parliament, my Lords the Judges, the honourable the Directors of the Academy, and the Court of Aldermen, who fhall have their Places frank. 3. If Westminster-Hall be not allotted to this fervice (which by reafon of its proximity to the two Chambers of Parliament above-mentioned, seems not altogether improper ;) it is left to the wisdom of the Nation whether Somerset-Houfe may not be demolished, and a Theatre built upon that Site, which lies convenient to receive Spectators from the County of Surrey, who may be wafted thither by water-carriage, esteemed by all Projectors the cheapest whatsoever. To this may be added, that the river Thames may in the readieft manner convey those eminent Perfonages from Courts beyond the feas, who may be drawn either by Curiofity to behold fome of our most celebrated Pieces, or by Affection to fee their Countrymen, the Harlequins and Eunuchs; of which convnient notice may be given, for two or three months before, in the public Prints. 4. That the Theatre abovefaid be environed with a fair Quadrangle of Buildings, fitted for the accommodation of decayed Critics and Poets; out of whom Six of the most aged (their age to be computed from the year wherein their first work was published) fhall be elected to manage the affairs of the fociety, provided nevertheless that the Laureat for the time being, may be always one. The Head or Prefident over all (to prevent difputes, but too frequent among the learned) fhall be the most ancient Poet and Critic to be found in the whole Island. 5. The Male Players are to be lodged in the garrets of the faid Quadrangle, and to attend the perfons of the Poets, dwelling under them, by brushing their apparel, drawing on their fhoes, and the like. The Actrees are to make their beds, and wash their linen, 6. A large room fhall be fet apart for a Library to confift of all the modern Dramatic Po ems, and all the Criticisms extant. In the midst of this room shall be a round Table for the Council of Six to fit and deliberate on the Merits of Plays. The Majority fhall determine the Difpute; and if it fhould happen that three and three fhould be of each fide, the Prefident shall have a cafting Voice, unless where the Contention may run fo high as to require a decision by Single Combat. may 7. It be convenient to place the Council of Six in fome confpicuous fituation in the Theatre, where, after the manner ufually practifed by composers in mufick, they may give Signs (before fettled and agreed upon) of Diflike or Approbation. In confequence of these Signs the whole audience fhall be required to clap or bifs, that the Town may learn certainly when and how far they ought to be pleased? 8. It is fubmitted whether it would not be proper to distinguish the Council of Six by fome particular Habit or Gown of an honourable hape and colour, to which may be added a fquare Cap and a white Wand. 9. That to prevent unmarried Actreffes making away with their Infants, a competent provifion be allowed for the nurture of them, who fhall for that reafon be deemed the Children of the Society; and that they may be educated according to the Genius of their parents, the faid Actreffes fhall declare upon Oath (as far as their memory will allow) the true names and qualities of their several fathers. A private Gentleman's Son shall at the public expence be brought up a Page to attend the Council of Six: A more ample provision shall be made for the son of a Poet; and a greater still for the fon of a Critic. any 10. If it be discovered that Actress is got with Child, during the interludes of any Play wherein she hath a Part, it fhall be reckoned a neglect of her business, and she shall forfeit accordingly. If any Actor for the future shall commit Murder, except upon the Stage, he fhall be left to the laws of the land; the like is to be 'understood of Robbery and Theft. In all other cafes, particularly in those for Debt, it is proposed that this, like the other Courts of Whitehall and St. James's, may be held a Place of Privilege. And whereas it has been found, that an obligation to fatisfy paultry Creditors has been a Difcouragement to Men of Letters, if any Person of Quality or others fhall fend for any Poet or Critic of this Society to any remote quarter of the town, the faid Poet or Critic fhall freely pafs and repafs without being liable to an Arrest. 11. The forementioned Scheme in its several regulations may be fupported by Profits arifing from every Third-night throughout the year. And as it would be hard to fuppofe that so many perfons could live without any food (though from the former courfe of their lives, a very little will be deemed fufficient) the mafters of cal |