Definition of the Stage; its use to Society; the difadvantages under which it labours. O NE of the most celebrated writers of the last age, in his Effay on Dramatic Poefy, has defined a play to be "a just "and lively image of human nature, represent"ing its paffions and humours, the changes of "fortune to which it is fubject, for the de light and inftruction of mankind.” This is a jufton, and we are more obliged tom for it, when we remember it is what Ariftotle and Horace, notwithstanding the pains they have taken with the Theatre, have forgotten B forgotten to leave us. Certainly the Theatre, whether viewed in a tragic or comic light, is a lively picture of the human paffions: the first represents fubjects that are in themselves grand and above the common sphere; the last lashes at the vanity of the general world, the elbowed crowd of mortals: here you laugh at the intrigues and follies of the city dame; the knaveries of trade, or feel the lash given to abfurdity and ridicule: there you weep the fall of the intrepid Cato; the gallant Alexander; the untimely fate of an Ophelia, or Desdemona's betrayed innocence. Plays properly conducted, might certainly be academies of virtue, infpire courage, form elegant tafte, and infuse humanity. Perhaps, it were to lay myself open to an accufation of wanting a due respect for things facred, were I to affert, that its influence upon our morals might be rendered almost as useful to fociety as that of the pulpit. The Stage infpires more strongly with fentiments of emulation; it teaches by pictures, that have the femblance of reality from action, what the foldier, the patriot, or the gentleman ought to do to make society still more happy: the pul pit delivers plain, moral, and religious truths, that conduce indeed to the private emolument of the peasant; but thefe are in gene ral already known to every elevated and distinguished character: it furnishes a dry demonstration of our duty; but the former governs the mind by attaching the heart, and alarming the paffions; it fhews pride in contention. with defire, fear opposed to ambition, shame fet against folly; and balances human nature. From a Theatre feasonably and judiciously conducted, the greatest and most noble advantages might defcend upon the people and this feemed to be the fenfe of cardinal Richlieu, who in France raised and protected it to the laft. Inftances may be deduced from history, of the prevalence and force of well penned arguments, which tho' but dumb oratory, have heretofore imprinted hatred; inflamed and directed the paffions even against truth and common sense. But thefe effects fall far fhort of the glowing confequences of eloquence, of a free delivery, a spirited action, a feeling of the fubject; it is here popular fury is raised; or the wild tumult foothed; it is here virtue may be enforced; and vice with all its arts put to flight. 1 |