of whom Six of the moft aged (their age to be computed from the year wherein their firft 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 Ifland. 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 Actresses are to make their beds, and wash their linen. 16. A large room fhall be fet apart for a Library to confift of all the modern Dramatick Poems, and all the Criticisms extant. In the midft 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 should be of each fide, the President shall have a cafting Voice, unless where the Contention may run fo high as to require a decifion by Single Combat. 7. It may be convenient to place the Counsel of Six in fome confpicuous fituation in the Theatre, where after the manner usually practifed by compofers in mufick, they may give Signs (before fettled and agreed upon) of Diflike or Approbation. In confequence of thefe Signs the whole audience fhall be required to clap or hifs, that the Town may learn certainly when and how far they ought to be pleas'd? 8. It is fubmitted whether it would not be proper to diftinguish the Council of Six by fome particular Habit or Gown of an honourable shape 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 provision 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 feve ral fathers. A private Gentleman's Son fhall' at the publick expence be brought up a Page to attend the Council of Six: A more ample provifion fhall be made for the fon of a Poet; and a greater ftill for the son of a Critic. 10. If it be difcovered that any Actress is got with Child, during the Interludes of any Play wherein the hath a Part, it fhall be reckoned a neg-. lect of her bufinefs, and the fhall forfeit accordingly. If any Actor for the future fhall commit Murder, except upon the stage, he shall be left to the laws of the land; the like is to be understood of Robbery and Theft. In all other cafes, particularly in thofe for Debt, it is propofed 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 3 Critic fhall freely pass and repafs without being liable to an Arrest. II. The forementioned Scheme in its feveral regulations may be fupported by Profits arifing from every Third-night throughout the year. And as it would be hard to fuppofe that fo 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 calculation will, we believe, agree, that out of thofe Profits, the faid perfons might be fubfifted in a fober and decent manner. We will venture to affirm further, that not only the proper magazines of Thunder and Lightning, but Paint, Diet-drinks, Spitting-pots, and all other Neceffaries of Life, may in like manner fairly be provided for. 12. If fome of the Articles may at first view feem liable to Objections, particularly those that give fo vaft a power to the Council of Six (which is indeed larger than any entrusted to the great Officers of ftate) this may be obviated, by fwearing thofe Six Perfons of his Majefty's Privy Council, and obliging them to pafs every thing of moment previously at that most honourable Board. CONTENTS Art of SINKING in POETRY. That the Bathos, or Profund, is the natural 168 169 IV. That there is an Art of the Bathos or Profund 171 172 |