Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-16
THE THEATRE.

THE THEATRE.
Mr.. Editor-The following extract from
work entitled "The Buccaneers" said to have
been written by gentleman of the Bar to whom
the stage is indebted for several popular plays,
send you for publication. T..
" The Theatre hath had its enemies aud its
hired defe nders. The good and the i'll effects
of the drama have been pointed out, often times
cried out into the needless world, who care not
in the search for enjoyment, whether the grasp
is good or evil. Suffice i; to say, on the one
point, no man Of reason can be an enemy TO the
drama-I mean the written books OF genius
the Derusal, the honest enactiun OF some oil
which, if it were Withheld from the world,
would be loss 10 virtue, Of lessons more power
full, more impress ive, than thousand homilies
from the lips ct paid preachers. But IL is the
charlalans, the performers, and the fashion OF
the enaction, that every moral man should con-
denim. In these consist the danger, and the
causes for which the Theatre should be shun-
ued, even as a peSt-house, where disease and
deaf is to be received. What is the life oil an
actor? Drunkenness, debauchery, harlotry,
and dissipation Of every kind. Who are these
men Vaeahond sIrollers al hrst-charac tiers
Of the most desperate description, who had but
one choice, the highway or the stage. Enter
into the walls, and behold the passing scene.
Can any female, who hath the least feeling or
modes,y-nay, can any man, who Is not lost 10
every sense Of right and shame-look on,with-
out his soul being narrowed up in disgust and
indignation ? Behold yon lozsl his eye vet
glaring with the late wassail, while the paint
necessary to The character he has assumed, can
tscsrce disepiS. the psrehsd and salGapY. sheek
Still, though before the audience, doth he be-
have himself as in the brothel and the chaste
diction Of the poet doth perform with interpo-
lations and actions which, though il NAV please
the swine who herd in the gallery, sicksns he
sight, and is not FIT for man or woman, who are
not oulcasts, TO look upoc. And then there
is no, drinking house about the puriieus Of
the town where there is more riotous revelry,
or more encouragement, open and unbridled by
law, for youth 10 br led aslray. A portion Of
III e building is set a2aIt for the sale Of liquor
On one ground,
the defenders OF the stage have pumed
themselves, that there have been females ~ho
followed il as profession, VINO have been viz
tuous this may be, but the examples are SO
rare, that they can scarce be designated and
| the very best of il discovers how few these are,
and the poorness Of tn dtfvnce. This opinion
,
have had The opportunity, and nv remarks
have facts, Stubborn facts, 10 found their stn'i-
ments upon; the very nature Of an actresses life
is such that she must be a woman Of little no
nour-ior wha, modest female would expose
herself before the sight, the rude and daring
eyes Of thousands, and bear the remarks and
| examinations OF The aensualis, & the debauchee
for their amusement assume dresses, habits
4 m q M n 70 her r. m T.
Then the scenes that are gone through with,
should be as abhorrent 10 female as 10 male
the liberties allowed add taken in the view
of hundreds, such as none who felt for herself
would admit for mints Of wealth; then, the al
I'lowanc presumed TO follow naturally from
the public conduct in secret mast he such, are
such. as To leave but little doub that ii is i'm
possible for woman who has respect for her.
self 10 be an actress or to follow the stage for
livelihood; & hese ideasare confirmed BY every
printed life Of women OF that class to be found.
Ought, then, such place to be encouraged
as resort The brohel Of infamy should be
preferred to the stage, which is alone pros,i
tuted TO show off bawds, drunkards, and gamb-
ling sharpers. And do no, those who encuu-
rage impu:ity by rssorling TO the home OF char
latry, soon feel its effects ? 1t is The rock
whereon youth is wrecked ofiener than any
other that can be shown 1t leads to drunken.
ness, gaming, and every other wlckedness,
There have been formed societies to suppress
vice they still prosecute the poor wretch who
steals for his bread /: ana yet the very root Of
crime is msin,ained-the abode Of sharpers,
dissipation, and ruin-for there is an enchan,-
ment about the Theatre. Beauty is TO be
bought, and no, that can be pursued. The APP
prentice will rob his master The child his pa
rent the husband hath taken the labor Of the
day 10 gain him admission, while al home his
family are wanting food. few years behods
the frs, an inmate of prison-,he second,
poor lost wretch, discarded from his home, and
begging for money to obtain liquor, that all
reflection may be drowned in It's overwhelm
ing inf1uence-the last, pander OF some bro
thel, while the sod covers the broken heart Of
his wife, and his innocent and unfortunate Off
spring are scattered on the bosom OF the cold
and pi,iless world"