13 



as we assert, the vast majority of plays exert great, though un- 

 obtrusive moral influence, then so far as their profession may be 

 supposed to affect their conduct we should expect to find actors 

 respectable and worthy the acquaintance of the pure and noble. 

 But, it will be said, there is abundant evidence that at least many 

 actors are dissolute people, that they live low, vagabond lives, are 

 indecent in language and conduct, drunkards, gamesters, irreligious. 

 The evidence, alas ! is abundant, and if it could be proven that the 

 proportion of actors who are disreputable is larger than in other 

 professions, we might accept the fact as some evidence of the cause 

 assigned for it; but it is notorious that in all public professions 

 lapses from rectitude are numerous. 



"A word in conclusion concerning those who, whilst despising 

 the stage and its associations, yet avail themselves of its fruits. They 

 owe their best music to its inspiration ; their best choir singers there 

 received their education ; their minister is himself indebted to it, 

 either directly or indirectly, for the force and grace of style and dec- 

 lamation which render him so impressive. Without the stage you 

 would not be possessed of Shakespeare whose single influence for 

 good has certainly far outweighed all the evil which the theatre has 

 ever done mankind. Those who while discountenancing the theatre, 

 read Shakespeare or hear him read ; who listen with delight to the 

 operatic overture or aria ; who hang entranced upon the eloquence 

 of the rostrum, are meanly, (I had almost written dishonestly) 

 enjoying the fruits of an institution which they condemn." 



Whether Mr. Tryon's championship of the stage be acceptable 

 or not, few persons will fail to perceive in it his philantrophic dis- 

 position and love of justice, as well as the degree of his inclination to 

 render homage to the Muses. 



To those who would withhold all such matters from a biographical 

 account of a scientest as not pertinent, and to those whose hostility 

 to the theatre is relentless, the above citations may. seem too long ; 

 but they may be excused. They prove that his mental scope took in 

 very much more than the truths of natural science; that the com- 

 paratively inferior and ignorant classes of society had his sympathy, 

 and that he was ready to help improve their mental and moral level. 

 Thus, they indicate a feature of his character not portrayed else- 

 where in his writings. None will deny that a feature partly or 



