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 affirs of the fociety, provided nevertheless that the Laureat for the time being, may be always one. The Head or President 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 Actreffes are to make their beds, and wash their linen. 6. A large room shall be fet apart for a Library to confist of all the modern Dramatick Poems, 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 Dispute; and if it fhould happen that three and three thould be of each fide, the Prefident fhall have a cafting Voice, unless where the Contention may run so 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 ufually practifed by compofers in mufick, they may give Signs (before fettled and agreed upon) of Dislike or Approbation. In confequence of thefe Signs the whole audience shall be required to clap or bifs, 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 distinguish 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 shall 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 ftill for the son of a Critic. 10. If it be discovered that any Actrefs is got with Child, during the Interludes of any Play wherein she hath a Part, it shall be reckoned a neglect 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 those for Delt, 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 fhall freely. pass and repafs without being li able 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 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 those Profits, the faid perfons might be fubfted 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, Sitting-pots, and all other Neceffaries of Life, may in like manner fairly be provided for. 12. If fome of the Articles may at firft 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 state) this may be obviated, by swearing 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 |