| Citation |
BPB.770.005
29 Jan 1770:11 (648)
An historical and philosophical essay on the principal
follies of different nations, by M.G. Dourx (written in
French). . .
Some of our nation consider the English stage which afford
that people so much delight, as a proof of their barbarity.
Their tragedies, it is true, though interesting and replete
with beauties, are nevertheless dramatic masters, half
butchery and half farce. Grotesque character, and
extravagant pleasantry, constitute the chief part of their
comedies: in one of these, the devil enters sneezing and
somebody says to the devil, God bless you. They are not,
however, all of this stamp; they have even some in a very
good taste; but there are hardly any which give us an
advantageous idea of the English nation; though it is from
the theatre that a stranger forms his opinion of the manners
of a people. The English comic poets do not endeavour to
pain their countrymen such as they are; for they are said to
possess as much humanity as reason.
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