LOVEW. Yes, presently after the Restauration, the King's Players Acted publickly at the _Red Bull_ for some time, and then Removed to a New-built Playhouse in _Vere-street_, by _Claremarket_. There they continued for a Year or two, and then removed to the _Theater Royal_ in _Drury-lane_, where they first made use of Scenes, which had been a little before introduced upon the publick Stage by Sir _William Davenant_ at the _Dukes Old Theater_ in _Lincolns-Inn-fields_, but afterwards very much improved, with the Addition of curious Machines, by Mr. _Betterton_ at the New _Theater_ in _Dorset-Garden_, to the great Expence and continual Charge of the Players. This much impair'd their Profit o'er what it was before; for I have been inform'd, (by one of 'em) That for several Years next after the Restauration, every whole Sharer in Mr. _Hart_'s Company, got 1000_l. per an._ About the same time that Scenes first enter'd upon the Stage at _London_, Women were taught to Act their own Parts; since when, we have seen at both Houses several excellent Actresses, justly famed as well for Beauty, as perfect good Action. And some Plays (in particular _The Parson's Wedding_) have been Presented all by Women, as formerly all by Men. Thus it continued for about 20 Years, when Mr. _Hart_ and some of the Old Men began to grow weary, and were minded to leave off; then the two Companies thought fit to Unite; but of late, you see, they have thought it no less fit to Divide again, though both Companies keep the same Name of his Majesty's Servants. All this while the Play-house Musick improved Yearly, and is now arrived to greater Perfection than ever I knew it. Yet for all these Advantages, the Reputation of the Stage, and Peoples Affection to it, are much Decay'd. Some were lately severe against it, and would hardly allow Stage-Plays fit to be longer permitted. Have you seen Mr. _Collier_'s book?
TRUM. In my mind Mr. _Collier_'s Reflections are Pertinent, and True in the Main; the Book ingeniously Writ, and well Intended: But he has over-shot himself in some Places; and his Respondents, perhaps, in more. My Affection inclines me not to Engage on either side, but rather Mediate. If there be Abuses relating to the Stage; (which I think is too apparent) let the Abuse be Reformed, and not the use, for that Reason only, Abolish'd. 'Twas an Old saying when I was a Boy,