| Citation |
NYGWPB.767.056
24 Dec 1767:11,12 (1303)
The Mirror. (Numb. 7) . . . [1/2 column] more on ongoing
disputed over the theatre:]
The truth of the matter is, that in order to gull all, and
to please all, the play becomes "all things to all men". It
gives wit, imagery, and morality to the gentleman; nonsense
and vanity to the coxcomb; extravagant compliments, and
pretty little insignificant thoughts to the gallant; a
burlesque on black gowns to the unregenerate; and fools,
merry-andrews, coguets, harlequins, bawds, prudes,
drunkards, rapes, broken heads, quack-doctors, fiddlers,
lap-dogs, &c.&c.&c. to the rabble. . . [1 more column,
ending:]
Nor is the destruction of modesty and innocence in this
manner, the only ill consequence attending the influence of
the stage. I would ask Dramaticus, whether he thinks no
apprentice boys in town desire to see a play acted? I would
ask him farther, whether he imagines that half of them have
money to defray the expense of going to the play-house? And
whether, if they have not, he is of opinion that their
internal sense of moral beauty and deformity, will prevent
their falling upon unlawful ways and means of procuring it.
&.
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