The first mention in literature of the present Boston Theatre is found in "A Record of the Boston Stage," by William W. Clapp, Jr., published in 1853, in which the author quotes from a letter written to him by Thomas Barry, saying, "You will have, sooner or later, a first-class theatre in Boston, and if properly built and properly conducted, it will prove a boon to the public and a fortune to the manager."

Mr. Clapp adds : " These are the prophetic words of a veteran actor and manager. May we live to see them historical facts in some future 'Record of the Stage' in Boston." Mr. Barry's prediction was soon fulfilled in part, although it was many years before the theatre was a source of any considerable profit to its managers.

The Boston Theatre was opened in 1854, and was so far in advance of the times that even to-day no theatre in the world has been able to surpass it in all important particulars. In beauty of line, in acoustic properties, in ventilation, in ease and economy of heating, in generosity of entrances and lobbies, in comfort and celerity of exit, in size and capabilities of stage, it has been a model for all the large theatres that have since been constructed in this country. No other theatre in the world has presented so many notabilities to the public, from tragedians and grand opera singers to negro minstrels and variety performers, from orators and clergymen to ballet dancers and athletes. Scarcely any world-famous artist in the last fifty years has missed making his or her appearance at the Boston Theatre, and myriads of words of praise have fallen from their lips for its beauty, its comfort, and its unparalleled acoustics.

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