Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-09-06

ct honestis voluptatibus ,posita est.
Hor. lib. ii. Carm. iii.
The happiness ofslife consists in seren.
rity of mind and yirtuous enjoyments.
Mr.. SNowpEN,
!, Although the writer, who has done u:
the honor of noticing cur former remarks
has treated US with no very expressive
ceremonies of respect, we shall, never
theless, for the sake of that truth which
we hold most dear, and we trust, in the
spirit of that rule which commands US IL
:. be courteous to aIl," proceed to eya.
mine some of the errors into which he APP
pears to have fallen.
1t would save some trouble, and per
haps, would be more 6 candid too, il
controversies. in stating the sentiments
Of their opponents would adopt the words
in which these sentiments are conveyed
Had Philo Dramaticus pursued this course
he would not have ascribed to US a sort OIL
phraseolpgy, which has no definite mean
ing That 6 continual sacrifice of plea.
sure to proht' which he says is our lead
ing principle, is no where to be found in
fors. nor in certain acceptati n OF the
terms, IN Substance eitter, in the essays
to which, he alludes. Ifby profit he means
mere mercenary gain, and by pleasure
vcIuptas honesta, a Legitimate and vlrtu-
Gus pleasure, we diselaim the sentiment
But If BY profit he means the
moral and ultimate benefit of man consi-
dered as moral and accountable being.
contrasted with the present qualification
of bis physical, or even his Intellectual
mature, then, we do not hesitate to main
tain, that his interest as we'll as his duty
binds him to s. continual sacrifice of
pleasure to profits 'sProft in our creed'
too, & consists in the highest and most
durable pleasure; but We contend, and
we hope for our own sake we are not de-
eeived, that this kind of pleasure is nei-
ther found nor promoted in a theatre.
We are SO constituted upon the plan OF
inGaite wisdom, that our happiness is to
81 obtained, always, and only, in har-
nony with morality and religion. What
,yer tends to undermine the foundation
# these in our hearts, to alter the adjust
nents and proportions of virtue within
IS. and to destroy the moral equilibrium,
lends also, by necessary laws to inter
.upt our proper felicity. If then, thea
+rical exhibitions possess this demorallz
nc iaaaeuce, theys far sabyerSye OF
those plans which we form for the attain
'ueut of the highest and most durable
pleasure.
But in undertaking to reason upon the
nature and influence of the Stage, altho'
the provocation is givenby what they are,
vet we are called upon 10 considel them
not as they are, but as they nngtt ee.-
We are compelled to the necessity OF
fighting shadow, Of maintaining a coIn-
bat with an ideal or imaginary sort OF
drama, which meyer yet existed. How
ever little support may seem to be given
by this. 70 a vicious and corrupted stage.
there is no attender OF plays, but, when
he hears this chimera defended lmaglnes
il his own cause that is espoused. 4 with
sreat self satisfaction continues the prac-
ice. :. A conduct not less absurd" says
DR.. Nitherspoon, : than if one who was
assured that certain dish ct meas
before him was poisoned, should answer
nus, all meat Is not poisoned, s there
ore may safely eat Of this"
Hit be admitted that y most OF its pro-
luctous are liceatious - il the stage is
schaol OF false sentiment and hceltols
practice; if it involves criminal waste
Il time and money; # 1t encourages a
ct OF Iiceptious ana profigate perform
RS ii it is contrary to the spirit g pre-
epts oltlie gospel points which Phlio Ora
naticus says = are So enirely established,
lat they would readily have oeeA allow
ii if we had never written''--then
urcly the question Of Its moral influence
5 settled.
But though " these facts serve as very
orcibIe reasons for REFORM of the dra-
ma, very different form Of argument is
equlsite to prove the propliety Of its to-
al discoantenance." But, until this re-
orm takes place, what are we to 90 p
t all these abuses attend even q ooed
hing, should we not wait TIL the reform
axes place, before we give it our support-
ND countenance But where is the sue
;edaneum when is proposed ? Where is
he ground fer hope that this reform is
practicable? Let it only be demonstrat-
ID, and we will gladly unite in efecting IA
sonsummation 50 devoutly to be wished.
Unfortunately, this Utopian project
cannot be realized, till not only the stage,
mt the audlence aISn LIZ IL Ia.aaa