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

Whilst there haye been many opposers OF the
Drama-men too who have stood, and stand
high in the world, and whose: opinions have
been handed down on the subject; there is
equally as powerful authority insits favour
authority which must and will command re-
spect and attention.
Marcus Aurelus, an emperor, distinguished
for his piety, says: Tragedies were first
brought in and instituted to put men in mind
of worldly chances and casualties. After the
tragedy, the Comedia Vetus, or ancient comedy,
was brought in which had the liberty to inveigh
against personal vices"
Martin Luther, on the subject of the stage,
says: In ancient times tue dramatic art has
been honored by being made subservient to re
ligion and morality; and in the most enlghten-
ed country of antiquity, in Greece, the theatre
vas supported by the State. The dramatic ma
ture of the dialogues Of Pluto has always been
justly celebrated, and from them we may con-
ceiye 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 narrow circle
of operations; Of all amusement, therefore, the
theatre is thesmost profitable; for there we see
tantly ourselves. 1t affords us renovated pic
ture of life compendium of whatever is ami
mated and interesting in human existence. The
susceptible youth opens his heart to every ele-
yated feeling; the philosopher finds subject
for the deepest reflections on the &nature and
constitution of man." :, g 5:F 80, ~,
In another work, Luther says g Christians
ought not altogether to fy and abstain from
Comedies, because now and then gross tricks
and dalying passages. are acted therein; for
then it will follow that by reason thereof we
should also abstain from reading the Bible.
Therefore, it is.of no value that some allegc
such and the like things, and forbid christians
to read OF act comedies"
We.might, if we had time and space, intro
ducc numerous paragraphs from the writings Of
such men as Philip Melancthon, Rev. DR.. Knox,
Lord Bacon, Dr. Philip Sidney, Dr. Gregory,
Sir Joshua Reynolds, d israeli, Dr. Isaac Watts,
Archbishop Tllotson, Potter Porteous, Percy,
Warburton; South, Watson, Paley, Ridley,
Young, with hundreds of others in defence of
the Drama. The testimony of such men-naen
ofscharacter and tone, is such as must speak in
its favor ~ s, # 3
Tie Drama has been supported from the
earliestperiods, and for long series of years,
:lfas met withIthe protection and encouragement
:of government. Would this have been the case
if there ;hadahaye been within it the seedso of
eyil2 IF it had been found injurious to the
welEbeing of communities ? asspredly not.
The Drama has met with support and favor.
from christian ministers and Layme Profes-
lsanSSl
dramas Apolenaris wrote scriptural tragedies
and comedies, together with DR.. Edward Young,
author,of Night Thoughts, Rev. O. Maturin,
Rev. Dr. Coly, Rev. H. Millman, author Of the
history of Christianity, Addison, DR.. johnson,
Milton, Coleridge, Thompson, Goldsmith, Miss
Hannah Moore Miss Joanna Baille, Miss Nit
ford, with numbers of others, whom we might
introduce, as noted for their pious qualitics-as
their great gifts.
As to the character, position and standing OF
actors, erroneous impressions exist; some may
be inclined to think that they stand outside the
pale of society. But this is false. 1t is with
them as with members Of every other profess
sion. Those whose ability, conduct and talent
entities them to respect, are always esteemed.
The profession Of al actor was highly esteeflsd
among the Greeks. Eschylus held command at
Marathon, under Miltiades. He was an actor
and author. Sophocles held command under
the great Pericles. Euripides was distinguish
ed officer. Eoscus was the intimate friend Of
Cicero. Laclius was the friend of Scipio Afr-
clmus. In modern times, Mrs. Give, Garrick,
Cibbcr, Kemble, Kcan, Mathews, Cooke, Qnin
and Mrs. Slldons, down to McCready and For
est, Of the present day have been the especial
lavorites ots monarclis and high dignitarieS;
have been received in the highest society and
treated with marked distinction.
Numbers of lovely and accomplished women
as Julia Dean uaync, Mrs. Mowatt, Mrs. Sid
donS, ANN. Cara Ritchie, have shown b. their
actions, by their chastity and pntiW. tlat
though belonging 10 ihe stage. yet corruption
is not the inherent or Intrinsic consequence oi
l.i:trionic life.
The stage has been and still is slaced by
numbers who are as pure, as honorable IS
ca,,c, as those of any other. They Lave been
ionorcd time after time. They have been the
guests OF Kings aud Nobles-of Republicans.
1t is true that to many Of the profession, odium
may he attached and the finger Of scorn may
lac held up against; but this is common TO
members of every denomination, Of every pro-
ir,.ior-in every community and land-but it
Gun no more be held up or shown as a benish
upon those who have merited no such reproach,
than the tyranous, cruel and unjust adminiStra-
ton Of one man could 'be brought to injure
and darken tie administration of his successors.
MoLAssEs FROM INDIAN CoRN.-Mr. George s..
4