Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-01

,ieceso slit the taste ofthe idle, The gay and the
ilissoute" and, consequently, neither mend the
manners nor improve the heart-It does no, iniure
my argument. TO admit, that here aud there an up
right. great, good man, may leel his temper of
rnind improved by attendance at a Theatre such
may be above the power OF its seduction and mt
least The serious and thoughtful class proporton-
ably very small, in a playhouse audience---fhe
young ad ,hou5htlcss. whose manners are vet pure,
and whose hearts yet free from the taints OF fol-
" and vice. are the most exposed their minds are
apt to b. inifanied and isscnate by Theatrical re
presentations. and acfure snch extravagnt notions
incapactates them for the ordinary occupations
OF lite-the Miss IN her teens for.es the st CHI of
her needle and is deeply concerned FOR the success
OF runaway lovers. who flourish in romance. The
student lays by his law metaph, sias, and lies to
he entertainment Of play book. The young man
oreets the duties Of the compiling house. or learns
despise them and, even the steady house wife is
thrown out of the track of her daily arrangements
These some oil the effects of PLAYS in most fire.
quent use, in which lad iove-asfiirs to be the
most predominant features; at least OF Comedies
1t is not uncommon to find the greatest IbertDe
dowed with the most fascinating accomplishments,
revealing IN the enjoyment OF this term be not mis-
appli-d) of all the routine of vice aah inamy and
whilst he IS laying siege the citadel of virtue lis
offence 10 sotened down to galantry and almost no
crimnality is attached to surrendered chastity
Sometimes, in contrast to this character, you see
derided, and whose society is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
You even hTd the clergy mans character s,.ewn TO
little Advantage, IN comparison with the profligate
How can Ialy witness such things passing the
stag and not feel some emotions 7 How can the
lovely maid oil sixteen behold such scenes of intrigue
ana dehauchcry, without m obvious nroat on her
modestvi Will any one deny, that If such language
and prsstices, rs we see represented the stage,
were to take place, and become familiar in the rr-
vate circle OF family, 'twould not b!uat the keen
edge: OF sens'blity There is very true
maxim, that 6" Evil communications corrupt
good manners; and yet, it is as easy TO
conceive, that vicicas compap, improves good
habits, that inlelicste anl cbscane play S
contribute to virtue nevertheless tits certain, that
PLAYS asd ia-ces Of this acted and
fgain ant, the same people attend often, to the
iajury of god health, good taste and modest de-
pertinent.
come now to consider tho character Of PLAY act
ors in general, ard whether community they
deserve encouragement Whatever remarks are
male, will. be ia general terms, (fpr believe there
are many exceptious.) deem this an appropriate
time for the structures make, because there are.
among now, none ct the profession, whose feel
ings wonld not wiilirgly hurt.
There has siwws been 4 degree of 0lium attach
ed TO the character of players, and there is likely
always to be because the nature Of their occupa-
ton is unlavourahle tn virlue.-Not their boldest
advocate divest his mind Of the conviction, that
the are he'll in low pute. u there any T. spect-
able person, who would willingly suffer one If this
profession form an alliance BY mar iage in his IA
miiy o., indeed that would not eonsiderit a dis
grace venture to r-plv in the negsiiye--Are
not this clsss ofpeople generally of ssnute habits
Are hey no.; l.zy, die and prolane And is It
p'opsr that they should be countenaneeI, aud ca
ressed Some there are, aud not few, whose ex-
ample pOisors and contamnates the society they
socia!e in. Not unfrequently, the most Interesting
and sprghty youth is alwed into their snares, and
instead ofrealzing the anxious hopes os fond pa
rent, enrolled the list of stage-campauy, and,
like the greater part of his associates, ct last
SINKS into miserable spectacle, of the depray;ty o!
vice. How few players ever sean at church
Instead Of deyoting the Sabbath to the public wor-
ship o Col, they spend it. perhaps in designations -
do mt argue from this, that all who g. to church
es, what they would have men believe, or those
that do not go. are all wicked but, generally, 3
man Of piety, will participate in the service OF his
Maker
Tcome lastly to the question. or the propiiety, or
necessity oi Theatre ia this place. The proceed
ing remarks much exceed the limits hal intend
ed and If them, T.. my opinion, appsica
bic to this question. that shall make OF but
few words it, lis said Sc We naturally led
| by prudence aud by wisdom, To choose the least
OF two evils. This maxim m ght apply. it we had
Theatre then, in comparison with pther evils
It might he the least (though this is not certain
but would II not be better 10 cure prevailing bad
PRACTICES by the Introduction of GOOD ones II prscti
cable! Fit has nav been more than four wears since
thedestruction ofour Theatre. Iforsear 70 touch The
tender cords that would vibTae with the caiamities
of that event but ask, have grown worse in
that interval Have we not rather improved ?
Anih have we been much at loss tn substitute a.
musements, rs innocent and agreeable IL coecluie
that as have not suffered far the want &c The
atre indeed, in my opinion, have done better with
out one: and as it would be productive of unneees-
sary expense and anxiety, we may ss well dis
persc with il altogether.
SENEx.