| Citation |
BEP(F.756.010
3 May 1756:11,12 (1079)
London, Jan 21. While we are edified by the conduct of the
Court of Madrid, where no operas have been acted since the
first of November (a day fatal to Lisbon and other places)
we cannot but be extremely scandalized at the project of
some people in this metropolis, who intend to indulge
themselves next Thursday in that prophane, abominable
diversion, called a masquerade, in contempt of the
manifestations of God's wrath in divers parts of the earth,
and in defiance of human authority, and the sense of the
public.
If those profligates, who thus act against the dictates of
reason and religion, had the least share of good breeding,
they would abstain, at this conjuncture, from such odious
diversions: A well bred man never publickly runs counter to
the judgment of his superiours and the sentiments of the
people too, in religious matters. But, to the shame and
disgrace of both sexes, and of all ranks and degrees, who
make a jest of the terrors of the Lord, and disregard the
pious orders of their superiours. While a day is appointed
to humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God, which has
scourged and alarmed all the nations around us, these
unthinking wretches set their little wits to work to appoint
and form an assembly of whores, rakes and infidels: and let
them not think these epithets too harsh: for no modest,
sober, religious person will be present at their
masquerade.--But what will the world think of the magistracy
of this nation, if they suffer such an assembly ?--Will they
not think that all virtue and public spirit is extinct in
this island, and that in consequence thereof it must be ripe
for destruction ?
To the Printer.
Sir, There is certainly a tendency in masquerades to
intrigue and debauchery, more than in any other diversion;
they are generally offensive to the soberer part of mankind;
they are particularly so at this time; and there is a
respect due to such persons, which ought not to be violated,
at least upon important occasions. Can the gay complain
that liberty is invaded, if they are restrained a little
from their diversions ? Liberty is founded on the
observance of the laws. The legislature has ordained a fast
and public humiliation. The occasion is, perhaps, the most
tremendous the world ever knew. Our good friends the
Spaniards and Portuguese have been the most sensibly
affected by it. If the fear of God did not influence us,
good policy in the care of our reputation ought; they indeed
have no public entertainments; let us have no masquerades.
Indeed it seems to be inconsistent with the dictates of
common sense, to usher in the most pious act which a nation
can perform, with the diversion confessedly the most
injurious to piety. We are a very idle race of men, but a
little wholesome restraint would strengthen the party of the
serious and religious; therefore I wish, if it can be done,
that this masquerade were postponed, by authority, at least
'till after the fast, were it only to convince the world,
that religious considerations do influence us a little; that
we have really a sense of it upon our minds, upon this
occasion, when so many have cause to deplore the evil which
is supposed to give rise to the solemn day in question.
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