| Citation |
PC.767.034
23 Feb-2 Mar 1767:211, 212 (1/6)
I have, with all the composure imaginable, overlooked the
torrent of incomprehensible abuse which has been, of late,
so plentifully bestowed on the theatre, those who
countenance it, and the performers; nor do I now intend to
enter into a controversy with the gentlemen who have
attacked me in so indecent, so illiberal a manner. . . [29
lines, introduction to following essay, "written at New-York
about five years ago:"]
. . . [2 3/4 columns: essay supporting theatre, with
following specific allusions:]
. . . Sir Richard Steele, the author of the Conscious Lover,
has explicitly declared, that he wrote that whole play for
the sake of one scene in it, to discourage that pernicious
practice of dueling. And with respect to gaming, I thought
every body had been acquainted with that famous tragedy
called The Gamester; nothing, in my humble opinion, can
place that vice in a more detestable light, that the
distress of that play. . . In this instance too, our
reformer has been very unfortunate, for the well known
tragedy of George Barnwell was evidently designed to put
unwary youth on their guard, to warn and deter them by a
moving and dreadful example . . . Let him only read that
famous speech in Mr. Addison's Cato, beginning "It must be
so, Plato thou reasonest well. . ."
[Discussing the players:] It is well known those of this
company [in New York], on account of their modest and
genteel deportment are taken particular notice of, and
caress'd by the best families in America.
The same sort of gross misrepresentation of the theatre
have been frequently given in England, Scotland, and Ireland
. . . For my own part I do solemnly declare, were I
convinced, that the present encouragement given to Mr.
Douglass's Company of comedians here, (who it is allowed are
a decent sett of people) was any hurt or prejudice to the
community, I would very heartily and sincerely join in the
opposition, but as I am persuaded in my conscience it is
quite otherwise, and that theatrical entertainment, under
due regulations, are not only innocent amusements, but may
be rendered extremely profitable, more especially to youth
intended for public speakers of any kind. . . I cannot join
in the present outcry against the stage . . .
Upon the whole, then, let us with Mr. Addison censure
freely, and discountenance every degenerate composition that
may tend to the prejudice of virtue, or to the encouragement
of vice; but let us likewise, with the same great man
conclude, that "were our plays subject to proper inspections
and limitations, we might not only pass away several of our
vacant hours in the highest entertainment, but should always
rise from them wiser and better." New York, March 17th,
1762.
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