"The Number of Artificers is here daily augmented; as are the convenient Ordinaries or Inns for the Accom-*dation of Strangers.
"The Servants here, as in other parts of the country, are English, Scotch, Irish, or Negroes.
"The Town is laid out regularly in Lots or square Portions, sufficient each for a House and Garden; so that they don't build contiguous, whereby may be prevented the spreading Danger of Fire; and thus also afford a free Passage of Air, which is very grateful in violent hot Weather.
"Here, as in other Parts, they build with Bricks, but most commonly with Timber lined with Cieling, and cased with feather-edged Plank, painted with white Lead and Oil, covered with Shingles of Cedar, etc., tarred over at first, with a Passage generally through the Middle of the House for an Air-Draught in Summer.
"Thus their Houses are lasting, dry, and warm in Winter, and cool in Summer; especially if there be Windows enough to draw the Air.
"Thus they dwell comfortably, genteely, pleasantly, and plentifully in this delightful, healthful, and (I hope) thriving City of Williamsburg."
At the theatre in Williamsburg, built about
1716, the first professional comedies and
tragedies in America were played by Charles
Stagg, who was assisted by actors and musicians
from England. He died in 1735, and,
for several years after, the building, which
stood on what is known as the Tucker lot,
