| Citation |
PG-P.767.029
30 Apr 1767:11,12 (2001)
[This lengthy article with poem is aimed at commentary about
the content of plays as performed in England; it was aimed
at local objections to plays performed by the American
Company. Portions of both are here included.]
To the printers of the Pennsylvania Gazette. Gentlemen, The
following extract is taken from a small poem, lately printed
in Bristol, intitled Bristol theatre; if you think proper to
give it a place in your next paper, you will oblige several
of your constant readers. A.B.
"The example of pagan antiquity should have no weight with
pious Christians. And they have been so far from approving
the conduct of heathens in their encouragement of theatrical
representations, that they have in general condemned them,
as injurious to the virtue and happiness of mankind.
---It seems highly improbable that the world should be grown
more ignorant since the publication of the gospel, than it
was before, when it was covered with pagan darkness;
Christianity was designed, and hath a natural tendency, to
produce contrary effects
---pious and learned Christians have opposed these
diversions, from a rational conviction of their pernicious
tendency--their fatal influence on the morals of society.--
It is not denied that some good sentiments are found in
several theatrical pieces; but these will not compensate for
the false notions of life, the impurity, falsehood and
impiety which they contain. There are very few, it is to be
feared, in which the third commandment is not violated: And
it is not in the least improbable, the the perusal of that
profane mention, in a trifling manner, of the awful name of
the Supreme Being, which disgraces this Christian country."
Lo! Sons of trade from paths of profit stray,
Charm'd with the pleasures of th'attracting play.
What will those sons but passion's slaves commence,
Unhing'd from business, headlong in expence?
. . . [46 more lines]
In the account of the Worcester Infirmary, from the first
of August, 1751, to the first of August, 1752, is the
following remarkable paragraph, viz.
"A company of comedians in Worcester having appropriated the
profits of a Benefit-Night to the use of the infirmary, this
offer (though generous in them) was refused by the
governors, at the quarterly meeting, as not thinking proper
that this institution should, in any degree, be supported by
benefactions, which arose from a direct and open violation
of the laws * At the same time his lordship * (that the
charity might not suffer in the least by such refusal) very
generously paid down the sum, collected by the players, out
of his own pocket."
See the Bristol Journal, Saturday, June 28, 1766.
Though cautious craft at first the players guide,
They fling,when fix'd, th'ensnaring mask aside.
In their own colors, unabash'd and bare,
They smartly season their dramatic ware,
To raise the laugh; regale with sportful tone
The taste, corrupt, that tallies with their own;
Their jests obscene, and ribaldry diffuse,
Deride religion, and its friends abuse
. . . [10 lines, a 12-line stanza, a quotation from Horatio
concludes and a translation is given, written below.]
For plays a fearful strife and anger breed,
Whence quarrels fierce, and fun'ral war proceed.
|