this account of tragedy; "True tragedy is a fe"rious lecture upon our duty, fhorter than an "epic poem, and longer than a fable, other"wife differing from both only in the method,

which is dialogue inftead of narration; its "province is to bring us in love with the more "exalted virtues, and to create a deteftation of "the blacker and (humanly fpeaking) more 66 enormous crimes." On comedy he says, "an "infinuating mirth laughs us out of our frailties. "by making us afhamed of them. Thus, when "they are well intended, tragedy and comedy "work to one purpose, the one manages us as "children, the other convinces us as men." In order to treat this part of the fubject with precifion, I must beg the reader to recal to mind the account formerly given of what is implied in the stage, even under the best poffible regulation; because, unless this be allowed me, I confefs the argument to be defective. It is not denied, that there may be, and are to be found, in fome dramatic performances, noble and excellent fenti. ments. These indeed are much fewer than is commonly fuppofed, as might be fhewn by an examination of some of the most celebrated plays... There is a great difference between the fhining. thoughts that are applauded in the world by men of taste, and the folid and profitable truths of religion. However, it is allowed, that there are

fomes

fome things to be found in plays, against which no just objection can be made; and it is eafy to form an idea of them ftill more pure than any that do yet exift; but the question is, Whether it is poffible now to find, or reasonable to hope to find, fuch a number of pieces, in their prevailing tendency, agreeable to the holiness and purity of the Chriftian character, as are neceffary to support a public theatre? Till this is accomplished, all that is done to fupport the theatre in the mean time, is done to fupport the intereft of vice and wickedness; whatever it may be in itself, and fingly confidered. And if fuch an entire reformation be impoffible, a partial reformation, or mixing a few good things with it, is not only ineffectual but hurtful. It makes a bad cause a little more plaufible, and therefore the temptation fo much the more formidable.

There is a difcourfe of a foreigner of fome note, in which he exerts all his eloquence in commendation of plays, when used in the public schools, for the improvement of youth in action and elocution, under the direction of their mafters. As this gentleman was a clergyman, his authority is often used on this fubject. But it ought to be obferved, that as he was a young man when he employed his eloquence in this cause, so, what he fays, ftrongly supports the propriety of the diftinction I have laid down.

He

1

He expressly confines the argument to fuch plays as were reprefented by youths in the schools, and rejects with great abhorrence the public ftage, and fuch as were acted by mercenary players. Of the laft fort he hath the following ftrong words. "At "hic vereor A. ne qui fint inter vos qui ex me 66 quærant: Quid agis adolefcens? Tune como"dos, Hiftriones, mimos, ex eloquentiæ ftudiofis "facere paras? Egone? Hiftriones? Quos? An "viles illos qui in fcenam prodeunt mercede

conducti? Qui quæftus caufa quamlibet per"fonam induant? qui paffim per urbes vagantes "artem fuam venalem habent? Qui, merito, Ro66 mano jure, infamia notantur ?. Abfit a me "abfit, ut in hac impietatis fchola teneros adolefcentium animos eloquentia imbui velim. "Quanticunque eam facio, tanti tamen non eft. Satius effet balbutire, imo fatius mutum effe, quam non fine fummo animi periculo eloquentiam difcere*." Which paffage may be tranfJated thus; But here I am afraid fome of you will be ready to challenge me, and to fay, "what is this you aim at young man? Do you intend to make all who ftudy eloquence comedians, players, buffoons? Do I indeed? "What fort of players? Thofe contemptible wretches, who are hired to come upon the ftage, and who for gain will perfonate any character whatever? Who go about through

*Werenfels Oratio de Comediis.

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"different cities making merchandise of their "art? Who are justly marked with infamy in "the Roman law?-Far, far be it from me "to propose, that the tender minds of youth "fhould be taught eloquence in this school of impiety. However much I value it, I value "it not at this rate. Better it were they should "ftammer in fpeech, nay, better that they were "dumb and incapable of fpeech, than that they fhould learn the art of eloquence, by putting their fouls in the most eminent danger." Now, whether this author's fcheme was right or not, I have no occasion at present to debate with him as an adverfary, for he rejects with abhorrence the imputation of favouring the cause against which I plead.

When a public theatre is defended as a means of instruction, I cannot help thinking it is of importance to obferve, that it is a method altogether uncommanded and unauthorized in the word of God. This will probably appear a very weak argument to many, but it will not appear fo to those who have a firm belief of, and a juft efteem for that book of life. Such will not expect, that any method will prove effectual to make men" wife unto falvation" without the bleffing of God, and they will hardly be induced to look for this bleffing upon the flage. And let it be remembered, that it is now pleaded for in a higher light, and on a more important

account

account than merely as an amufement, viz. as proper to fupport the intereft of religion; it fhould therefore have a pofitive warrant before it be employed in this caufe, left it fhould meet with the fame reception that all other human devices will meet with, "Who hath required these "things at your hands?"

And that none may use a delusory sort of reafoning, and fhift from one pretence to another, faying, it becomes a lawful amusement by its tendency to instruct, and an effectual inftruction by its power to please at the fame time; it must be observed, that a finful amusement is not to be indulged on any pretence whatsoever, for we must not "do evil that good may come.' Nay, call it only a dangerous amusement, even in that cafe, no pretence of poffible or probable inftruction (though such a thing were not contrary to the fuppofition) is fufficient to warrant it. Nothing less than its being neceffary could authorise the practice, and that I hope none will be fo hardy as to affirm.

It can never be affirmed to be neceffary, without a blafphemous impeachment of the divine wifdom. If the holy Scriptures, and the methods there authorised and appointed, are full and fufficient for our fpiritual improvement, all others must be wholly unneceflary. And if they are the most powerful and the most effectual

means,