| Citation |
PC.767.027
16-23 Feb 1767:172, 173 (1/5)
Philad. Feb. 14. The public having of late been entertained
with sundry essays against the Comedians, I beg leave,
through the channel of your impartial press, to advance
something in their favour: . . . [24 lines. Youth sent on
"grand tour;" why not keep them here?]
Thus the country is annually robbed of a considerable
sum, to the great grief of all true American spirits; to
remedy this growing evil, sure, nothing could more fortunate
have happened, than the present establishment of the
Theatre; where our youth may hear and view, at a trifling
expense, every refinement of politeness, every sentiment of
honour, and every scene of debauchery and villainy
represented in their most striking colours. Here the fine
gentleman may be taught the genuine airs, manners, and
insincerity of a court; the rake all the lasciviousness and
ribaldry of a stew; and the man whose native genius leads
him to prey on his fellow-creatures, may here find ready
invented to his hand, every species of fraud and iniquity
that the heart of man can conceive.
The expenses of attending the theatre are trifling,
compared to that of a voyage to Europe; for it is not
necessary that our young students should spend every evening
there, it is only recommended to them to attend such plays,
as are particularly adapted to their present study. . . [4
lines] Thus in a much shorter time, than an expedition to
England would require, a young gentleman might venture into
company, with a confident, genteel, and becoming air; -- he
would hereby be taught, what sort of affronts are to be
resented with the cane, and what with the sword; what kind
of oaths are fit for a gentleman to use, and how far it
would be necessary in the company of the fair sex, to cloath
wanton thoughts in double entendres--And as all young
fellows of spirit and vigour, are naturally inclined to
amours, great advantages will accrue in those pursuits, from
the observations they will be led to make, on the conduct
and behaviour of the young ladies, when any loose scenes are
exhibited on the stage; for it may be laid down as
infallibly true, that the young maiden who sniggers at the
indecent joke, hugs close her cardinal while a love scene is
recounting, and twice attended the same play--I say, it is
infallibly true, that a man of intrigue need not use much
importunity to seduce so willing a maid. . . [51 lines]
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