certain description of people, even to this very day, I think they demand some little of our attention; therefore, with your permission, I will copy them, and we will pass a slight comment on each.

1st. "Because the spirit of the gospel is a spirit of gentleness; but the actors are forced to put themselves into a posture of warmth, and anger, and fury, and the spectators themselves cannot behold them without being put into a passion."

I have certainly seen an audience evince no inconsiderable share of anger at bad acting, indecencies, and improprieties. But I have beheld hundreds of instances, where they have remained tranquil and composed, even at the very time the stage has exhibited some dire, fierce, and BLOODLESS Conflict.

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2d. Because vanity, which is proper

to the stage, is altogether foreign to christianity."

Were this fantastical lady to be pursued through all her different shades, it would be difficult to determine to whom she legitimately appertains.-Sometimes she will walk demurely under a broad brim hat, at others luxuriate in lawn sleeves;sometimes she will reason with a philosopher, at others bawl with a field preacher, and even Queen Mab herself cannot exhibit more versatile powers.-At any rate, she is not an exclusive stage property, though frequently brought thither to expose her own absurdities.

3rd." Because we are not to consent to people's sin."

This ingenious objection we must leave to Rowland Hill, Johanna Southcoate, or any other old woman, deep in mystery to enucleate.

4th." Because men are abused in these places, and neither princes nor people spared, and this being unlawful elsewhere, must be unlawful upon the stage."

How glorious an eulogium! This is the highest panegyric, upon the stage, I have ever had the good fortune to peruse.—It shews the exalted independence of the dramatic muse, and the boundless extent of her power. She knows no enemy but vice. No friend but virtue !-And, until all men are honest, all princes just, all soldiers valiant, all magistrates pure, and all priests sincere, I hope and trust she will fearlessly exercise her jurisdiction, not being biassed by the rank of the culprit, but justly indignant, at the extent of his offence.

5th."Because all immodesty and scurrility is forbid by the law of the gospel, and not only acting it, but seeing and hearing it acted."

This is as foreign to the existing drama, as a decree of the court of chancery to a subject of Tripoli. These offences. would now receive the immediate and summary punishment of the audience, by censure and disapprobation.

6th. "Because all players are hypocrites, seen to be what they are not, and all hypocrisy is condemned by the gospel." :

Did you ever, Madam, at a play, imagine Mrs. Siddons was absolutely endeavouring to persuade you she was not Mrs, Siddons, but Queen Catharine?-or Mr. Kemble, that he was really the proud patrician' Coriolanus? No-one of the great pleasures arising from the exhibition of the art, is, knowing the actors designated

*If identity of person can really be absorbed in imaginary character, these are two of the most probable specimens I know to establish the doctrine,

by their separate names; yet, witnessing their skill in expressing the thoughts and actions of others."

With respect to any other latitude. given to this offensive word, I have often wished my brethren possessed a share of this modern succedaneum of every virtue. Perhaps, though, we mistake the good father, he might have been speaking lite rally; for I believe, Madam, the term hypocrite originated in being applied to the ancient actors, who, by playing in visors, appeared that which they were not. How customs change! The stage adepts. have dropt the visor; and adepts of another description have taken it up!

7th."Because the actors very often belie their sex, and put on women's apparel, which is forbid by the law of God."

In the days of Tertullian there were no