IT

CHAP. XVI.

A PROJECT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE

STAGE".

T may be thought that we fhould not wholly omit the Drama, which makes so 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 needless to suggest 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 most Undaunted Mr. Colley Cibber; of whom let it be known, when the people of this Age fhall be Ancestors, and to all the Succeffion of

our

The character of a Player is in this chapter treated rather too contemptuously. Johnson fell into the fame cant, and treated his old friend Garrick unkindly and unjustly, at a time when he was received into the familiarity of some of the best families in this country. Baron, Chamellè, La Covreur, Du Menil, Le Kain, were equally refpected in France. But the whole chapter is, in other respects, replete with incomparable and original humour, particularly the third, fifth, ninth, tenth, and eleventh articles of this project. I have not been able to discover that Booth, who was a man of excellent character, or Wilks, ever gave any fuch particular offence to our author as to deferve the farcasms here thrown upon them. WARTON.

our Succeffors, that to this present day they continue to Out-do even their own Out-doings: And when the inevitable Hand of fweeping Time shall 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 comprehensive Scheme which Mr. Dennis and Mr. Gildon (the two greatest Critics and Reformers then living) made publick in the year 1720, in a Project figned with their names, and dated the 2d of February. I cannot better conclude than by presenting the Reader with the Substance 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 Orchestra; and that Mr. Figg with his Prize-fighters, and Violante with the Rope-dancers, be admitted in Partnership.

2. That a spacious Building be erected at the Publick expence, capable of containing at least ten thoufand Spectators, which is become abfolutely necessary 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 separate divifions for the two Houfes of Parliament, my Lords

the

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 reason of its proximity to the two chambers of Parliament above-mentioned, seems not altogether improper;) it is left to the wifdom of the Nation whether Somerset-house 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 readiest 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 convenient 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, pro

vided

a Farinelli.

vided 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 gar rets 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 Actreffes are to make their beds, and wash their linen.

6. A large room fhall be fet apart for a Library, to confist of all the modern Dramatic Poems, and all the Criticisms extant. In the midst of this room fhall be a round Table for the Council of Six to fit and deliberate on the Merits of Plays. The Majority fhall determine the Dispute; and if it should happen that three and three should be of each fide, the Prefident fhall have a cafting Voice, unless where the Contention may run fo high as to require decifion by Single Combat.

7. It may he convenient to place the Council of Six in fome confpicuous fituation in the Theatre, where, after the manner ufually practifed by compofers in mufick, they may give Signs (before fettled and agreed upon) of Diflike or Approbation. In confe quence

I

quence 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 fhape and colour, to which may be added a fquare Cap and a white Wand.

9. That to prevent unmarried A&treffes 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 feveral 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 still for the fon of a Critic.

10. If it be discovered that any Actress is got with Child, during the interludes of any Play wherein she hath a Part, it fhall be reckoned a neglect of her

she

business, and the fhall forfeit accordingly. If any Actor for the future fhall commit Murder, except upon the Stage, he fhall be left to the laws of the