| Citation |
NYJ-N.768.018
21 Jan 1768:12 (1307)
In my opposition to the stage, I began by advancing the
position that those entertainments which tend to weaken our
virtue, and tarnish the delicacy of moral sentiment, do
interfere with, and obstruct the public good: . . . [20 more
lines] Impressed with a full persuasion of the truth of this
remark, I ventured to attack plays as bearing the highest
rank in the list of those diversions that have a general
tendency to enervate the mind. . . [12 more lines] And
should they unitedly take the lead (as I hope some of them
already have done) in an opposition to the play-house, they
will form not only a powerful, but a very respectable body
to support me. I have a confidence therefore in their good
wishes and endeavours, for rendering the play-house in the
city of New-York, a useless fabric, by letting it remain (as
far at least as depends upon them) a monument of the
rashness and folly of those who erected it against the
general opinion and sentiments of the people. . . [78 more
lines] Philander. New-York, January 16,
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