| Citation |
PG-P.754.027
26 Mar 1754:22,23 (1318)
The quotations in your last paper from Britain's
Remembrancer, Bishop Burnet, and Archbishop Tillotson,
contain a very just censure of bad plays: But that those
eminent writers did not intend (with Mr. A.B.) a
condemnation of all theatrical entertainments, seems to me
evident from the quotations themselves. For the first owns
there are decent, modest, and even grave plays, and only
objects to their being tag'd with scandalous farces; he
likewise allows that there are good plays, such as are
capable of forming virtuous sentiments, and mending the
heart; but dislikes, and justly, their being accompanied
with any thing that may efface the good, and leave bad
impressions. . . [8 lines repeating above observation, that
the stage was being reformed in France.] If so, why may it
not likewise be reform'd in Philadelphia? I hope it will.
And indeed I have heard, that one express condition of the
permission lately granted for the acting a few plays here,
is, that nothing indecent, nothing even in its tendency
immoral, shall be exhibited. In this view I am not so much
dissatisfied with the opposition some well-meaning people
have endeavour'd to give the acting of plays among us. It
may at least have this good effect, to occasion that
condition to be more closely attended to, and more strictly
observ'd.
That the Church of England generally is not against
plays, as plays, but only against the abuse of them, might
be shown from many passages of her most eminent writers.
Some even of her clergy have been makers of plays, without
incurring censure, or even giving offence. Doctor Young,
author of the Night Thoughts (than which few books are most
closely fill'd with sublimely pious and religious
sentiments) has very lately wrote a tragedy, call'd The
Brothers, acted last year; the profits of which, amounting
to a thousand guineas, were accepted as his gift by the
Society for propagating the Gospel. The pious, learned and
great Milton, tho' a puritan, wrote the play of Samson
Agonistes; and his first plan of Paradise Lost was a
tragedy. That there should be some gloomy spirits in all
sects, adverse to theatrical representations in general, is
not to be wonder'd at: But if these have inveigh'd against
plays, they have likewise as bitterly inveigh'd against each
others religious principles and practices: And if they have
agreed in condemning the theatre, they have likewise agreed
in condemning very innocent things, as the wearing of
periwigs, the taking of snuff, or the smoaking of tobacco. .
. [27 more lines, suggesting that those who don't want to go
to plays or hear music, be permitted to withhold their
presence, but that the rest have liberty to enjoy it if they
wish.]
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