to the term lawful has been already determined. The present is a probationary state; it is accordingly provided both with innocent and criminal pleasures. It is the part of virtue to choose the former, and reject the latter. To make the requisite discrimination, it must be remembered, that the great end of our present existence is, to form a virtuous character, and therefore that what pursuits soever are compatible with such a design, may be considered legitimate; but whatever, on the other hand, appear subversive of this object, are unlawful and dangerous. 21 CHAPTER II. THE THEATRE. Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hour? WHOEVER has engaged in the investigation of this subject, under the influence of enlightened judgment and liberal feeling, will have found that it is attended by circumstances which perplex the inquirer, and demand of him patience, caution, and candour. If the present object were merely to strengthen either of the opposite prejudices which already exist in reference to the stage, the task would be sufficiently easy; but to produce conviction in the minds, both of the advocates and opponents of theatrical amusements, and thus to destroy their differences, is an arduous enterprise, in which partial success, at most, can be anticipated. Whoso upon himself will take the skill, True iustice unto people to divide, Had need have mightie hands for to fulfill, That which he doeth with righteous doome decide: And for to maister wrong and puissant pride, In vaine it is to deeme of things aright, And make wrong doers iustice to deride, The difficulty is occasioned by the wide diversity of the general sentiments, maxims, and feelings, subsisting between the contending parties; so that it is not easy to select any common ground in the argument, where the point in debate may, with mutual satisfaction, be fairly adjusted. With a view to this difficulty, the present disuussion will be pursued. The position will, of course, on all sides, be admitted, that an essential property of virtue is be Spenser's Faery Queene. nevolence. In every rightly constituted mind, a desire for the well-being of our fellow-creatures inherently resides. To promote the growth of this principle, and suitably direct its operations, forms an important part of moral culture. The benevolent man will feel it his duty, according to opportunities, to employ himself in the amelioration of human suffering, and in the advance of general happiness. Every measure which he sees adopted, that has obviously this design and tendency, will meet his approbation, and, if possible, his support; and whatever has plainly an opposite tendency will receive his discountenance and opposition. In cases where both good and evil are the result of any. measure, he will carefully balance them, and sanction, or discountenance, according to the preponderance of one or other of these qualities. Some valuable assistance, it is presumed, will be derived from these remarks in the present difficult inquiry. Both the advocates and opponents of the stage will, perhaps, be willing to submit theatrical amusements to this suitable test: -If, after close and impartial inquiry, a greater amount of good than of evil is apparent, no reason, we think, appears, why a verdict in favour of the stage should not be pronounced. But if the process supplies an opposite result, the contrary opinion cannot be withheld. That both good and evil are the result of the amusement will not be denied: its professed benefits may be divided into intellectual and moral. To withhold from the pleasures of theatrical performances their claim to intellectual character, would betray either a total destitution of taste for the pleasures of intellect in general, or a most unwarrantable prejudice against theatrical pleasures in particular. It must, however, be conceded to the opponent, that this advantage has been often considerably overrated. The representation of a play, it is maintained, combines many advantages, which are not common to the private perusal of the production; the aid of |