"_August 10th, 1827._

"SIR,--I really must beg to call your attention to a most
abominable nuisance which exists in your house, and which is, in
a great measure, the cause of the minor theatres not holding the
rank they should amongst playhouses. I mean the admission of
_sweeps_ into the theatre in the very dress in which they climb
chimneys. This not only incommodes ladies and gentlemen by the
obnoxious odour arising from their attire, but these sweeps take
up twice the room of other people because the ladies, in
particular, object to their clothes being soiled by such
unpleasant neighbours. I have with my wife been much in the
habit of visiting the Surrey Theatre, and on three occasions we
have been annoyed by these sweeps. People will not go, sir,
where sweeps are; and you will find, sooner or later, these
gentlemen will have the whole theatre to themselves unless an
alteration be made. I own, at some theatres, the managers are
too particular in dress; those days are passed, and the public
have a right to go to theatrical entertainments in their morning
costumes; but this ought not to include the sweeps. It is not a
week ago since a lady in a nice white gown sat down on the very
spot which a nasty sweep had just quitted, and, when she got up,
the sight was most horrible, for she was a very heavy lady and
had laughed a good deal during the performance; but it was no
laughing matter to her when she got home. I hope I have said
quite enough, and am your

"WELL-WISHER."

"R.W. Elliston, Esq."