33 
On the T H E A T R E. 
“ Or to take arms againfl a sea of troubles , 
“ And by opposing, end them ? 
Who, I fay, can hear him afk this queftion without fefolving, 
<c "That there is something after death.” 
The confideration of which ought 
ct To make men rather choofe thofe ills they have , 
il Than fly to others , which they know not ofT 
Or, to fpeak in the fimple language which cbriftianity dictates, 
will not fuch a lefion induce us to refign to the difpenfations 
of heaven, and to think that what the world calls misfortune, 
may be turned to our advantage ? And may we not depart 
from the playhoufe more edified than too many are in churches ? 
I think we have a great deal of virtue remaining, though 
we are carelefs and inconfiderate. A little attention might 
cure the evil: it belongs to you to reform by your exam- 
ple. The interest of the female world is concerned in a 
high degree. It would not only raife trophies to your fame* 
but give you a more folid pleafure in your expectations of im- 
mortality. With regard to temporal felicity, it is certain if there 
was more virtue, there would be more conjugal love.: or, if 
you pleafe, if there was lefs vice, there would be lefs misery, 
not in the married ftate only, but in all others. Without mak- 
ing hissing parties yourfelves, you might fhow your diflike ; 
and eafily commifiion your friends to damn, not the play, but 
all paflages in it offenfive to modefty : the poet would then 
leave them out on the fecond night’s adiing. Our newest 
plays have already purer fentiments than fome of the old ones, 
F to 
