Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-09-23
From the Rising Sun.
TILE DRAMA,


Drama-rnen too who have stood, and stand
high in the world, and whose opinions have
been handed down on tie subject there is
equally as powerful authority in its favour (;
authority which must and will command re-
spcct and attention.
Mar us Aurclius, an emperor, distinguished
for his picty, says: "Trascales were first
brought in and instituted to PVT Men in mind
tragedy, the Comeda T".r', or ancient comedy,
was brYaght iii which had the liberty to inveigh
against personal vices"
Martin Luther, on the subject of lie stage:
says: " In ancient times the dramatic ari las
been honorcG by being made auhSerrirnt to re-
gon and morality; aud in the most enli"aten-
ed c4;altry of antQuii", il Greece, the theatre
T;ls supported b. tic State. The dramatic na-
turc Of the dialogues Of Pluto has always been
justly celebrated, and from them we 2ay cou-
ce!yc the great Charm Of dramatic poetry. Ac-
ton is the true enjoyment Of life, nay, OF life
itself. The great bulk of mankind are either
from their situation or their incapacity for un-
common efforts, confined within 4 narrow circle
Of operations; Of all amusement, therefore, the
theatre is the most profitable; for there we sec
important actions when we cannot act impor-
tantly ourselves 1t ailr:tls us renovated pic
ture of life, compendium Of whatever is ami
mated and interesting i'll human existence. The
susceptible youth opens his heart to every ce-
waited frcli;g; the philosopher finds subject
for tic lccpc It reflections OH the nature and
constitution Of man"
In another work, Luther says: "Christians
ought not altogether to fly and abstain from
Comedies, because nov. and then gross tricks
and Gayimg a,Saocs are acted therein; for
then it will follow that by reason thereof we
!'iould also abstain from reading the Bible.
Therefore. it is Of 10 value that some allegc
such and tic ike things, and forbid christians
TO read or act comedies"
We might, if VIC had time and space, intro
ducc numerous paragraphs from the writings Of
such men as Philip Meancthon, Rev. Dr. Knox,
Lord Bacon, Dr. Philip Sidney, DR.. Gregory,
Sir Joshua Reynolds, D'Isracll, Dr. Isaac Watts,
Archbishop Tillotson, Potter Porteous, Percy,
Warburton, South, Watson, Paley, Ridley,
Young, with hundreds of others in defence OF
the Drama. The testimony of such mcn-men
Ct character and tore, Is such as must speak in
lis EivOr
The Drama has been supported from the
earliest periods, and for Il long series of years,
las met with the protection and encouragement
Of government. W'uld this have been the case
i there had have been within it the seeds of
evil? If it had been found injurious to the
we'll being Of communities asSuredly not.
The Drama has met with support and favor
from christian ministers and Laymen. Profes-
sing christians .haye been dramatic writer's:
Archbishop Gregory aNazeanzen wrote sacred
dramas. Apoenaris wrote scriptural tragedies
and comedies, together with DR.. Edward Young,
author of Nig ght Thoughts, Rev. c. Maturin,
Rev. DIR. Coly, Rev. II. 3Iillman, author of the
History Of Christianity, Addison, DR.. johnson,
liil!on. Coleriige, Thompson, Goldsmith, Miss
Hannah Moore Miss Joanna Baille, Miss Nit
i;rtl, with numbers of others, whom we might
iMro!ucc, as noted .Gr their pious qcla!tics-as
their great gifts.
As to the character, position and standing Of
actors. erroneous impressions exist; some may
lie inclined to think that they stand outside the
laic Of society. But this is false. 1t is with
t,ciu as w'itl members Of crery Other profes-
son. Those whose ability, conduct and talent
rmt;les them 70 respect, are always esteemed.
Tic profession Of ~ actor was highly cstccIITSl
ainoEy the Greeks. E>chyluS held command at
Marathon, under i!iltiadcs. He was an actor
aid author. Sopho@les held command under
~ ,Ia ;.;,,,.tn ,;s,,d or
Cicero. I.tcli:;, WAS tic friend Of ScIl'io AlI-
cT,::;,;. In mG,lcT times, Mrs. Clivc. Garrlck,
Ii,hcr, kcmIic. f.can, Mathews, Cooke Q';ii
anl Air, sl,I;lo:l<. down TO McCrral; and For
c.i ot the present siay have been the c<pc.!al
l:r"ritcs os lnnuair':; an;! high dign:tarie';
Fave been receive; in the hig hest society ahd
i,,.;,: i.,,l ,,iSiiurti;,n
.h:.;!.:.rrS Gt In"ciy anG accomplished women
- Julia pcan iIa;n@ NJ. N1:ya;t, MIS-. :'!
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:.:nLA$Sri r&aH !HFiA% CoE%'--Ar' george -
l,ii;tzl, of i-Neter township i'ctNs county; ie!
called ut !!c 'i''t2 ni III" !'e",aaS |'a'e"e 0af
CT two ago w:tisiwo samples oi syrup or moaSse:,
one :l%da tfurl the comi'''A ln"ian ccEn anu lns
~ u no II