either by curiosity to behold some of our most celebrated pieces, or by affection to see their countrymen, the harlequins and eunuchs; of which convenient notice may be given, for two or three months before, in the publick prints.

4. That the theatre abovesaid be environed with a fair quadrangle of buildings, fitted for the accommodation of decayed criticks and poets; out of whom six of the most aged (their age to be computed from the year wherein their first work was published) shall be elected to manage the affairs of the society, provided nevertheless that the laureat for the time being may be always one. The head or president over all (to prevent disputes, but too frequent among the learned) shall be the most ancient poet and critick to be found in the whole island.

5. The male-players are to be lodged in the garrets of the said quadrangle, and to attend the persons of the poets dwelling under them, by brushing their apparel, drawing on their shoes, and the like. The actresses are to make their beds and wash their linen.

6. A large room shall be set apart for a library, to consist of all the modern dramatic poems, and all the criticisms extant. In the midst of this room shall be a round table for the council of six to sit and deliberate on the merits of plays. The majority shall determine the dispute and if it should happen, that three and three should be of each side, the president shall have a casting voice, unless where the contention may run so high as to require a decision by single combat.

7. It may be convenient to place the council of six in some conspicuous situation in the theatre, where, after the manner usually practiced by composers in musick, they may give signs (before settled

and

and agreed upon) of dislike or approbation. In consequence of these signs the whole audience shall be required to clap or hiss, that the town may learn certainly, when and how far they ought to be pleased.

8. It is submitted, whether it would not be proper to distinguish the council of six by some particular habit or gown of an honourable shape and colour, to which may be added a square cap and a white wand.

9. That to prevent unmarried actresses making away with their infants, a competent provision be allowed for the nurture of them, who shall for that reason be deemed the children of the society; and that they may be educated according to the genius of their parents, the said actresses shall 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 publick expense 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 son of a critick.

10. If it be discovered, that any actress is got with child during the interludes of any play, wherein she hath a part, it shall 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 shall be left to the laws of the land; the like is to be understood of robbery and theft. In all other cases, 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 satisfy paltry creditors has been a discouragement to men of letters, if any person of qua

lity

lity or others shall send for any poet or critick of this society to any remote quarter of the town, the said poet or critick shall freely pass and repass, without being liable to an arrest.

11. The forementioned scheme, in its several regulations, may be supported by profits arising from every third-night throughout the year. And as it would be hard to suppose, that so many persons could live without any food (though from the former course of their lives a very little will be deemed sufficient) the masters of calculation will, we believe, agree, that out of those profits the said persons might be subsisted in a sober and decent manner. We will venture to affirm farther, that not only the proper magazines of thunder and lightning, but paint, dietdrinks, spitting pots, and all other necessaries of life, may in like manner fairly be provided for.

12. If some of the articles may at first view seem liable to objections, particularly those that give so vast a power to the council of six (which is indeed larger than any entrusted to the great officers of state) this may be obviated by swearing those six persons of his majesty's privy council, and obliging them to pass every thing of moment previously at that most honourable board.

TO THE

ART OF SINKING IN POETRY.

Chap. I. INTRODUCTION

Page 3 natural

6

II. That the bathos, or profund, is the taste of man, and in particular of the present age III. The necessity of the bathos physically consi

dered

7

9

IV. That there is an art of the bathos or profund V. Of the true genius for the profund, and by what it is constituted

VI. Of the several kinds of genius in the profund, and the marks and characters of each

16

VII. Of the profund, when it consists in the thought

19

VIII. Of the profund, consisting in the circumstances; and of amplification and periphrase in general

22

IX. Of imitation, and the manner of imitating X. Of tropes and figures: and first of the variegating, confounding, and reversing figures

25

29

XI. The figures continued: of the magnifying and diminishing figures

34

XII. Of expression, and the several sorts of style of the present age

4I

XIII. A project for the advancement of the bathos 49 XIV. How to make dedications, panegyrics, or satires, and of the colours of honourable and disho nourable

XV. A receipt to make an epick poem

52

54

XVI. A project for the advancement of the stage 58