| Citation |
MG-A(G.750.011
28 Mar 1750:31 (257)
London. The subject of the French players having almost
engross'd the present conversation of the town, it is
thought proper to submit the following queries to the
consideration of the public. Whether the French, by way of
satisfaction for sending their last company of mimical
mendicants back, in so uupolite [sic] a manner, may not, by
some secret article in the late glorious peace, have
expressly stipulated for a free settlement of one of their
stage colonies in this kingdom for the future?
Whether to remove any uneasiness our ministry may have
express'd concerning Fort St. George; these theatrical
heroes may not have been sent hostages for the Bonne Foi of
their Grand Monarque?
Whether if either be the case, any insult offer'd these
Street Strollers may not induce our neighbours to explain it
into an infraction of the peace, and think themselves at
liberty to dispense with every other article of it, so
peculiarly negotiated for the glory, as well as interest, of
Great Britain?
Whether, if sending one French company hither on the
eve of a war, was an insult on the nation, it is not equally
such to send another before the completion of a peace; and
may it not a little puzzle posterity to account for English
hostages being in a French court, and French players in an
English one, at the same point of time?
Whether by some lucky cartel we may not for once, have
over reach'd the French by obtaining this useful body of
people, in exchange for a useless body of seamen sent
hither?
Whether we may not soon expect a like troop of Spanish
comedians, in return for our manufactures lately exported
into that kingdom?
Whether, if a body of English officers should appear
arm'd in support of this theatrical state, it would not look
like dragooning us into a French interest, and might not be
deem'd enlisting in foreign service?
Whether the legislature did not, a few years since,
think it necessary to limit the number of playhouses, altho'
the private fortune of one of our own countrymen was
sacrifice'd to that regulation?
Whether licensing these foreign vagabonds is not then
directly opposing the sense of the legislature, enriching a
foreigner on the spoils of a native, and may not in a
literal sense of the words be deem'd---ludkae cum sacris?"
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