| Citation |
VGR(HA.783.007
12 Apr 1783:23 (1/69)
Extract of a letter from a lady in the country to another in
town. After a long and severe contest, on which the rights
of the human race depended, and during which time every art
and science, except that of war, stood still and languished,
it is a pleasing omen to see them once more returning, to
bless this new world with their influence. I was led into
this reflection by being very agreeably surprized, the week
before last, by an attempt of the young gentlemen of Mr.
Ellison's academy, at Bordentown, to entertain a select
company with the tragedy of Cato. Their performance was
much beyond mine and every body's expectation, and shews not
only a capacity and disposition in them to oratory, but a
great ingenuity and industry in the master. The scientific
decorations of the rooms, in which the performance was
exhibited, afforded me amusement during the intervals of the
tragedy.
You know, my dear, I am no great friend to plays, any
otherwise than as they may be made useful in education. The
tragedy of Cato is certainly the most unexceptionable of any
in the English language; it abounds with elegant sentiment,
and if a few expressions in it could be altered by a
judicious hand, it might be made a valuable piece of school
exercise.
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