DISCOURSE IV. On the most Probable means of Improving the Stage. JAMES IV. 17. TO HIM THẬT KNOWETH TO DO GOOD, AND DOETH IT NOT, IN three former Discourses, the great question of the lawfulness of the Stage hath been treated at large, and it was determined, That the Stage, considered in itself, is an amusement by no means unlawful, and that it might be made a source of the most pleasing and useful instruction. It is acknowledged, however, that very grievous abuses are to be found in it. These have been particularized, and the proper subjects for representation on the Stage have been pointed out. In my last Discourse, I endeavoured to shew how far wit (as making a part of that kind of Drama, called Comedy) is lawful, and how far that species of wit, called ridicule, is a test of truth. The subject shall be closed in this Discourse, by pointing out, as the most probable means of improving the Stage, the duties of the persons concerned in its several departments. These are the Conductors, or as they are termed Managers, the Writers of Plays, the Licencer or Lord Chamberlain, the Performers, the Audience, and the Magistrates who sanction them; and, lastly, some notice may be taken of the Censors, who decide on their merits both literary and moral. To ascertain the nature and extent of duties is the first step toward having them performed: the text contains an awful reason for performing these duties, when they are ascertained: "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Our Saviour adds the sanction of happiness to the performance of duty, " If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (John xiii. 17.) 1. It is a misfortune, not peculiar to the profession of the Stage, that persons enter into it, not with a view of seeking some station in life, in which they may discharge the duties incumbent upon every member of Society, of working out his own salvation, and profiting his fellow-creatures, and, in doing this, endeavouring to acquire lawfully a competent and honest livelihood, but gain is made the principal, or only object, and the means are but little attended to. "A faithful man shall abound with blessings, (saith Solomon) but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." (Prov. xxviii. 20.) "What is a man profited, (saith Christ) if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul!" (Matt. xvi. 26.) Let the persons, then, engaged in this profession consider, that although every man may look to acquire a competent maintenance by his profession, yet he hath a much more important object to attain. He is to weigh well the duty which he owes to God and to man; and, if he should, in any way, contribute to the dishonouring of God, or the corrupting of man, dreadful will be the account which he will have to give at the great consummation of all things, when "the fashion of this world shall pass away," * (1 Cor. xvii. 31.) and the very "heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat;" when "the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burnt up." (2 Pet. iii. 10.) Important is the question which the Apostleasks on this occasion, "Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? Beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of God in peace, without spot and blameless." (v. 11, 14.) If any one for the sake of a little paltry gain, shall attempt to make that, which, under proper regulation, might be made a place of innocent amusement and profitable instruction, a place of corruption to the mind, and of * Note A. attraction to the profligate, and if, instead of keeping out those persons, who contribute to make it a house of licentiousness, he shall rather endeavour to draw them thither, and make the place commodious to their corrupt designs, the guilt must fall upon his head. Should the taste of the age, or the place in which he is situated, tend to folly and licentiousness, he is to remember, that he hath a prior and superior duty to discharge, than to feed the depraved taste of the multitude. Instead of seeking to derive advantage from the reigning fashions and follies of the age, he should labour to correct them. The general dissipation, of which moralists complain, under proper direction, might be made to reform itself. Theatrical amusements, of whatever they may consist, are sure to be followed, and, where no exhibitions, but such as tend to enlarge the understanding, or amend the heart, are offered to the public, no others can be attended. He, therefore, who offers frivolous, or corrupt, or impious entertainments to the public, becomes the pander to dissipation, to profligacy, and profaneness. He is to consider, likewise, that it is his duty to employ those only to write for him, who will do it in subserviency to the great ends of innocent * See the Biographia Dramatica, vol. ii. Article, Christmas Note B. Tale. |