| Citation |
PGCJ.763.006
22 Jan 1763:43 (14)
I observed in the last Providence news-paper, very good
encouragement offered to any person who understands dancing,
and will come and set up a school in the town of Providence.
I would further add, that it will be as necessary to set up
a public stew or brothel in this town, so that when
strangers come here, they may know where to go and be
entertained for their money; -- and perhaps it may be a
great means to save many of the fair sex from being
debauched----
I being a person inclinable to pleasure, and also have
some relish for virtue, should be very glad those famous
encouragers would let the publick know what real advantage
they may expect to reap from a dancing school;---for I have
often heard of the disadvantages and bad consequences to
every town, place or nation, where such schools, (as they
call them) are encouraged. Perhaps it may have much the
same tendency, as if a man that was over careful of his
wife, would give another good encouragement to lodge with
her, and keep her warm in his absence.---Well, but criticks
may say, what has men and their wives to do with a dancing
school?----It is very true;---O, it is their daughters!---
'Tis them that will have a very considerable part in it,---
and without them, there would be but very few dancing
schools.---I would advise such ladies, that I am well
assured they may dispose of their troublesome ware, without
exposing it at an assembly of dancers.--I also think it
would be much more to the honor of those worthy encouragers,
and to the town in particular, as well as the good of
mankind in general, if they advertised their good
encouragement and generous bounty to any person who
understands industry and manufactory; to come and set up
amongst us,---or to those already here,---for I hope we have
some.---And let it extend to those persons who will raise
the most wheat, corn, rye, potatoes, flax, pork, beef,
butter, &c. &c. &c.---And for the benefit of the ladies, for
sure they deserve our attention most, to give good
encouragement to any person who understands industry and
housewifry in general, to come and set up a spinning or
working school in this town,---and a bounty given to those
who would spin the finest and most of any sort of yarn, as
well as those who would manufacture the finest and most of
any sort of cloth.---This would be a laudable encouragement,
instead of that glaring advertisement, to excite idleness,
lewdness, and debauchery, which is already too, too common
amongst us: And such encouragement as this, would deserve a
place in every news-paper on the continent, if duely
propagated.
[signed] Providence, Jan. 18, 1763. A L. V.
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