the harmony of the soul by the excess and length of our pleasures; it may be said that neither those who compose them, nor those who act them, so far unbend their minds as to destroy that just disposition of soul. As for the first, they have liberty to go or stay away; and after a days labour, two hours of refreshment may be allowed. As for the authors and players, whose profession seems to be one continued diversion, they do not certainly look upon their lives to be a play, since they have other serious business, in providing for and supporting their families, besides the common duties of christians to perform. As for the circumstance of time, of which our casuists would have us take care, it is observed in France, where they never act but at proper hours. One of the things against which the Fathers declaimed the most, was the time of acting the plays; they lasted the whole day, and people had scarce any time to go to church. Thus St. Chrysostom complains: "That the christians in his time, and in his diocess, did not only go to "plays, but were so intent upon them that they "staid whole days at those infamous sights, without "going one moment to church." St. John, of Damascus, condemned the same excess in these words, "There are several towns where the inhabi"tants are from morning to night feasting their 66 eyes with all manner of sights, and in hearing FREE THOUGHTS UPON Methodists, Actors, and the Influence of the Stage. ADVERTISEMENT. I MUST openly and candidly inform my readers, that they will occasionally find in the subsequent pages expressions which policy cannot warrant, nor prudence justify. But I am whipped and scourged with rods, nettled and stung with pismires, when I think of the many provocations we have received from some certain TOLERATED INTOLERANTS." Several of my friends, who honoured my manuscript with a perusal, suggested to me the impropriety of approaching, if not entering, the province of abuse, at the very moment I am condemning my opponents for their frequent excursions to the same disgraceful resource*. I daringly mention this to shew, that if I am erring, it is wilfully, and I shall probably add to * Vide Introductory Letter, page 9. the offence, by not only avowing my knowledge of it, but by openly justifying the measure. The arrears of two centuries*, from a long unsettled account, which I much regret some of my predecessors did not balance at former periods, and thus have added another instance in favour of the good old adage. "that short reckoning makes long friends." However, since the office of accomptant-general, has fallen to my lot, it is my wish to re-pay our accusers and abusers, partly in their own coin. I confess myself incompetent to the task of making up the whole sum, but whatever deficiency there may be found on this score, I trust will be more than compensated for by an overplus of reason, candour, and justice. I have been conscientious in striking the balance, and, by the soul of Cocker, I believe every item advanced in my statement to be strictly correct. In this wordy war, let it be clearly understood, that I do not consider myself as the aggressor, on the contrary, my profession is daily-hourly annoyed by an enemy armed like wild Indians, with poisoned darts, tomahawks, and KIMES+!-What weapon can * Vide Introductory Letter, page 9. + Vide Edinburgh Review, April, 1809, page 46. I wield against such adversaries?-The sharpened instruments of wit, satire, and ridicule, have been frequently exercised in vain against the desultory attacks of these demi maniacs. The weapons must have been ill directed, they must have been pointed at their heads or their hearts, the former of which is impenetrable, and the latter invulnerable. However, could I even guide them with more effect, such polished arms I cannot boast; a good homely cudgel is the most respectable epithet I can venture to bestow upon "Free Thoughts," but I trust it will be found of sufficient powers to turn the edge of their 66 KIMES," ere they can totally destroy its action. FREE THOUGHTS, &c. IT is a matter of astonishment in this age of novelty-hunting, when we have been informed that virtues are vices, and have pursued vices as if they were virtues :—when emancipation, reform, freedom and equality are the watch-words of the day.It is somewhat extraordinary no one has started for the honour of elevating THE STAGE to its proper level, and disencumbering the professors from the fetters forged for them in the dark days of ignorance and superstition. The Pagan African found advocates amongst all ranks, all persuasions; even in the most rigid of our sectaries, who maugre selfishness, apathy, contempt of fine feelings, and detestation of poetical embellishments, extended their sympathy over the bosom of the Atlantic, exaggerated the sufferings of their client, by fancifully decorating the unenlightened savage with refined sensations, delicacy of feeling, and mental aggravations, such as the highest polish of society alone can give. Yet those very people would ridicule the idea of a |