CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. HAPPINESS designed for man-Afflictions not incompatible with the object, but necessary to a state of probation-Virtue tried by solicitations to unlawful pleasure-What pleasures are unlawful?-The world divided on the question-The professors of religion distinguished by the avoidance of popular amusements-Reasons of the peculiarity have not been clearly stated-False objections exposed-The evils arising from ignorance on the subject, especially to young persons of the present age-Advantages of correct knowledge on the subject-Plan of the work. 1. CHAPTER II. THE THEATRE. DIFFICULTY of selecting common ground for the discussion-That of general utility or injury chosen -Benefits of the Amusement-Intellectual qualification and instruction-The circumstances which qualify these benefits to a mind of taste and imagination-The intellectual pleasures not inconsiderable-Good acting is like a good painting-An actor is a commentator-Critical study of the art of pleasing-The claim of the Theatre to the appellation, "the school of morals" considered-Its representations are not purely virtuous-Its real object is to please-Prevailing taste of a theatrical assembly not virtuous-The stage, therefore, cannot be strictly moral-Expediency of a national theatre suggested -Modern 'improvement of the drama owing to a modification of public taste-In its relation to popular manners and morals the theatre is unchangeable -Present taste for the best specimens of tragedy accounted for The moral evils of the stage considered-The reformation it has effected compared with opposite results-Evils accruing to the performers-Their loss of public esteem-An estimate of this evil-The female performers especially sustain injury-A theatrical life immoral in its tendencies-Objections from this quarter-Conclusion. . 21 CHAPTER III. Ar first sight difficult to account for the interest which this amusement excites-Convenient for the social party-Presents a point of common attraction, and levels invidious distinctions-This would render the amusement tolerable, but what creates the fas- cination it possesses?-Games in general a field of contest-Contest is a pleasure-The amusements of youth are principally of this class-Card-playing possesses but little of this quality, being as much a game of chance as skill-The attraction must reside in some concomitant of the amusement-Whether mercenary considerations afford the interest-Money is invariably staked-This not an arbitrary custom- Trifling amount of the sums advanced no valid ob- jection to this argument--The amusement is irra- tional and unsuitable-It elicits evil passions-In- THIS amusement most of all fascinating and popular -Dancing in itself not criminal; it is elegant as an 80 CHAPTER V. NOVEL-READING. Books next to society influence the character-Works Young persons warned against them-The evils of 107 |
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