| Citation |
NYJ-N.768.035
11 Feb 1768:1123 (1310)
Lest such of my readers who wish prosperity to the play-
house, and who therefore cannot think favourable of those
that oppose it, might charge me with being too general in my
attack upon the stage; I shall beg leave in this paper to
rid myself of any such imputation, by being somewhat more
pointed and explicit in the application of my reasoning, to
the subject of the theatre; . . . [3 more lines] In the
first place, I insist that a theatre naturally tends to
encourage indolence and dissipation. . . [64 more lines]
The first of them look upon plays as having this tendency,
and therefore give no countenance to the theatre; the second
would persuade themselves that a play-house is attended with
no such consequences, and therefore that they are
justifiable in frequenting it. . . [3 more lines] The
question then recurs how does the play-house promote
indolence?--Why can't a man go two or three times a week to
a play, and yet be very industrious and mind his business
the next day? . . . [4 more lines] that frequently seeing
plays acted, gives a turn and eagerness for reading them,
and that among common people too; Which occasions the loss
of much time in an employment that can be of little use to
them.--Their curiosity is kept awake, and strongly excited
by every new play that offers, and be the character of the
play almost what it will, there are never wanting those who
will recommend it.--They are led to gratify their curiosity
in some measure, by reading the play, and what with reading
and seeing them acted, their heads become filled with
romantic notions. . . [20 more lines]
The records of antiquity assure us," that it is the
highest imprudence to prefer pleasure to duty, the passion
for the theatre to the love of our country. . . [2 lines]
that the theatre had a very considerable share in sinking
the Athenians into effeminancy and indolence. . . [2 lines]
and as in Athens the love of their country sunk away and was
lost in the passion for the theatre, why may not ours too? .
. . [21 lines] There are present evils that flow from the
play-house . . . [4 more lines] and yet one half the city
are throwing away their money at the play-house, as if they
had no other call for it. My dear fellow-citizens, either
cease going to the play-house, or cease to complain of your
poverty--crowded theatres are a burlesque upon such a
complaint. . . [3 more lines] and if we cannot live without
the honour and pleasure of supporting a play-house; . . . [7
final lines. Signed] Philander. New-York, the 5th of Feb.
1768.
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