| Citation |
NYJ-N.773.129
15 Jul 1773:41 (1593)
[A lengthy letter to the printer includes the following] . .
. The several ways whereby knowledge has been generally
communicated to the world, are, i think the following, viz.
[Names the ways, and expands on each, including immediate
revelation, experience, example, schools, the pulpit, and]
The Stage, which I conceive, is in its nature so well
adapted to polish the manners and mend the heart, that it
may be made subservient to the noblest and most useful
purposes; to operate in perfict harmony with all the other
aids to useful learning; and as a powerful auxiliary to the
pulpit: As such I think it deserves the encouragement and
patronage of all the friends to polite learning, virtue and
religion. It is no objection to it, that it has been often
prostituted to quite contrary purposes; --so has the pulpit-
-so has every other means of learning, so has religion
itself. It is no objection to the stage that the actors
upon it have sometimes been vicious characters; so have
those been who have acted in the most important, the most
sacred functions. But the question is not how these things
have been abused, and misapplied, but whether they have not
in themselves, a natural tendency and aptness to promote the
happiness of mankind; and if they have, then our aim should
be not to abolish them, but to place them under such
circumstances that they may afford all the advantages that
might reasonably be expected from them. If leisure premits,
I intend to send you, for a future paper, some thoughts on
the uses of the stage, the present management of it, and of
the performance of some of the persons belonging to it: I
shall not be sparing in pointing out whatever I apprehend to
be faults, in the performance or management. But, I must do
them the justice to own, that I think them a really
respectable, as well as
[ ]. . . and propriety, in an [ ] by Mrs. Morris, a
late and very valuable acquisition to the stage. [Signed]
Eugenio.
Occasional epilogue, spoken by Mrs. Morris.
When stern oppression rear'd her baleful head,
To this blest clime, our free-born fathers fled;
Secure from lawless sway they cheerful toil'd,
And soon the grateful glebe with plenty smil'd,
. . . [6 more lines]
The sister arts, with rapid progress rise,
Proud lofty towers, and columns reach the skies;
. . . [2 more lines]
Among the numerous objects of your care,
Let this our moral stage, your goodness share;
Fir'd with your praise, dependant still on you,
The steep ascent with ardor we pursue;
No ribald scenes we offer to your sight,
But such as virtue views with fond delight,
Our ruling passion, may you ever find
To mend the manners, and improve the mind;
Bold the attempt, in varied scenes to please,
And Proteus like, shift ev'ry form with ease,
In quick transition, ever yet to move,
From comic humour, to disastrous love;
Trace nature's paths, nor deviate from her laws,
Our only title to your kind applause;
I, who am yet, a novice on the stage,
What claim have I, your favour to engage?
Yet spite of each defect, still have I found,
Beyond my fondest hopes, my wishes crown'd.
O still assist me while I boldly aim,
To catch some portion of dramatic fame;
So may kind heav'n repay your generous aid,
And rankling sorrows ne'er your peace invade;
But blest supremely, may you ever prove,
The sweets of liberty--the joys of love.
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