Indeed if the names only of our modern plays were to
be collected and published, they would teach us to augur very
unfavourably as to the morality of their contents. The Quakers
therefore, as a religions body, have seen no reason, why they should
differ in opinion from their ancestors on this subject: and hence the
prohibition which began in former times with respect to the theatre, is
continued by them at the present day.
SECT. II.
_Theatre forbidden by the Quakers on account of the manner of the
drama--first, as it personates the character of others--secondly, as it
professes to reform vice_.
The Quakers have many reasons to give, why, as a society of christians
they cannot encourage the theatre, by being present at any of its
exhibitions. I shall not detail all of them for the reader, but shall
select such only, as I think most material to the point.
The first class of arguments comprehends such as relate, to what may be
called the manner of the drama. The Quakers object to the manner of the
drama, or to its fictitious nature, in consequence of which men
personate characters, that are not their own. This personification they
hold to be injurious to the man, who is compelled to practise it. Not
that he will partake of the bad passions, which he personates, but that
the trick and trade of representing what he does not feel, must make him
at all times an actor; and his looks, and words, and actions, will be
all sophisticated.
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