| Citation |
SCG-C.763.100
12-19 Nov 1763:11, 12 (1531 Supplement)
[Long article on the evils of the theatre and dancing]
Dr. Watts's Remarks on Play-Houses and Midnight Assemblies.
Let us begin with the playhouse. It is granted that a
dramatic representation of the affairs of human life is by
no means sinful in itself: I am inclined to think that
valuable compositions might be made of this kind, such as
might entertain a virtuous audience with innocent delight,
and even with some real profit. Such have been written in
French, and have, in times past, been acted with applause.
But it is too well known that the comedies which appear on
our stage, and most of the tragedies too, have no design to
set religion or virtue in its best light, or to render vice
odious to the spectators. In many of them piety makes a
ridiculous figure, and virtue is drest in the habit of
folly; the sacred name of God is frequently taken in vain,
if not blasphemed; and the man of flagrant vice is the fine
gentleman, and the poet's favourite, who must be rewarded at
the end of the play.
. . . [2 columns continue on the evils of plays, theatres,
etc]
And when all the charming powers of poesy[!] and music are
joined with the gaiest scenes and entertainments, to assault
the senses and the soul at once, and to drive out virtue
from the possession of the heart, it is to be feared that it
will not long keep its place and power there.
. . . Another of the poets of the town, who made no great
pretences of virtue, and who well knew the qualities of the
theatre, and its mischievous influence, write thus of it,
It would be endless to trace all the vice
That from the play house takes immediate rise,
It is the unexhausted magazine
That stocks the land with vanity and sin.
. . . [4 more lines]
. . .
The midnight assemblies are the last which I shall mention
of those modish and hazardous diversions, wherein youth are
drawn away to much vanity, and plunged into the sensual
gaieties of life; and that at those hours, part of which
should be devoted to the religion of the family or the
closet, and part to the nightly repose of nature.
. . .
Is it likely that natural health should be promoted, or
preserved, by changing the seasons and order of nature, and
by allotting those hours to exercise, which God and nature
have ordained to rest? Is the returning home after five or
six hours dancing, through the cold and damp of the midnight
air, a proper means of preserving health?
. . .
Have not their music and dancing, instead of natural rest in
their beds, brought them down to a long silence in the
grave, and an untimely rest in a bed of dust?
. . .
Shall I enquire once more, what is done at many of those
midnight assemblies, before the dance is begun, or when it
is ended, and what is the entertainment of those who are not
engaged in dancing? Are they not active in gaming? Are not
cards the business of the hour?
. . .
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