fecures them from being thrown upon the beach or ftrand; now if they had not eye-lids, the sharp points of fand, whilft they are making their beds, would wound the tunics of their eyes,

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whereby the transparency thereof would be deftroyed, and consequently thefe fifhes would become blind; which is an additional proof how perfect every creature is in its own species.

HE amufements of the theatre are capable of the greatest benefit, when rationally applied; but of the most pernicious confequence, when its productions tend fo manifeftly to promote infidelity and licentioufnefs: a melancholy inftance of which is contained in the ftory of a young Lady, whofe name I fhall conceal under that of Eugenia, a Lady, whofe natural fweetness and benevolence of difpofition was improved by a virtuous education; her perfon, which was equally amiable with her mind, drew the attention of one of those fashionable men of honour, who call the baseft of actions by the name of gallantry; this Gentleman, with a difpofition fo laudable, was refolved to gratify his defires, at the expence of all the ties of truth and humanity; and therefore fpared no vows or promifes to gain the affection of Eugenia, whofe natural innocence and artlefs heart hindered from having the leaft fufpicion of his fincerity; but notwithstanding he found the means not to be indifferent to her (having, by his acquaintance with the family, free accefs at all times) he could never find that he fwerved from the strictest fentiments of virtue, or that her conduct gave him room to hope he could ever make the leaft change in her fteadinefs of mind; at last he bethought himself of a scheme on which he placed his greateft hopes; and this was by carrying her frequently to thofe plays, which he knew had a natural tendency to foften and unguard the mind; and he judged (but too juftly) by this means he thould prepare her by degrees, to foften that inflexibility which was fo great an obstacle to his defigns upon her; and, to cut short the ftory, by

this method of proceeding, he found opportunity one evening, after her paffions had been heightened by fome very loofe fcenes, to effect what he had almost despaired of fuccefs in; the confequence of which was, he abandoned her to mifery and ruin. Her poor mother, to whom she some days after discovered the whole affair, and whose happiness was centered in her daughter, funk under the misfortune very foon; and as to Eugenia, peace and joy feem to have fled, and given place to continual anguifh and forrow, in a country retirement.

What I would infer from this melancholy ftory is, that nothing is of worfe confequence towards debauching the mind, than vicious plays; and how much too many of our comedies deferve that title, I appeal to the public, who muft allow, with me, that by exhibiting these kind of pieces, the ftage, inftead of fpurring on to virtue, is the very nursery of wickedness and infidelity. It is here the Libertine triumphs, knowing it is the grand fupport of his ways; and is fenfible, was it not for this, the reputation of vice and impiety would dwindle away : and, notwithstanding prophaneness and obfcenity has been always allowed to be the refuge of all those who are void of real wit and fenfe, it is amazing, that fuch miferable stuff should be liftened to by fo many, who are willing to pass for the more fober and rational part of mankind.

How any of the fair fex, whe call themselves modeft, can voluntarily go to fuch plays, bear to gaze on fcenes, and liften to difcourfes that are a breach of all decency, is furprizing!

I hope that the most of those who perufe thefe lines are Chriftians, but

let

let me beg of all those who style them felves fo, to confider, whether going premeditately to indulge the eyes and ears (the channels to the heart) two or three hours together, in fuch fcenes, is confiftent with their profeffion? Is this confiftent with our Saviour's doctrine of putting out a right eye, or cutting off a right hand? Is this a method of remembering a crucified Saviour? Is this acting agreeable to that purity the gofpel all along injoins?

I do not flatter myself that I am capable, by any thing I can fay, to affect the profeffed libertine; but I would willingly awaken thofe who are not afhamed to own the fcripture for their guide, and the wisdom of following the duties there commanded; and I appeal to every one so disposed, whether the frothy, impious language contained in numbers of our theatrical exhibitions, is innocently to be attended to? To which, I take, are owing, in a great measure, those fashionable phrafes, By G-d, upon my foul, and damn this and that, in every fentence, fo much in vogue amongst us; fo much, that a phrafe, without fome of these eloquent additions, feems to be quite flat and infipid; and, if we look among the most of fuch plays, we fhall find, that this branch of eloquence and obfcene language is nearly what conftitutes the heroes thought fo worthy of applause and imitation..

Far be it from me to condemn, without diftinction, the amusement of the ftage; a good play, by having the advantage of action, may emulate to virtue, with more efficacy, very often, than well-wrote treatifes; and, for

the honour of the English nation, we have great numbers that tend ftrongly to promote all that is truly laudable and virtuous; fo that we have no occafion to have recourfe to the meaneft productions; productions void of all true wit; fcenes and language only fit for ftews and brothel-houses.

Let us not give a fanction to vice, by countenancing these things; let us not join with the grand enemy to mask the natural beauty and amiableness of virtue and religion, which the gay world endeavour to run down, by calling it poornefs of fpirit and ftupidity. Let us do all we can to pluck off the difguife, that the prophane would hide it in; and endeavour, by our example, and open deteftation of vice, to fhew virtue as it really is, environed with the most endearing allurements; this is the way to item the torrent of vice, and make it droop its baleful head; and, by boldly avowing the caufe of virtue and religion. induce the world to confefs, with Solomon, that, Her ways are ways of pleafantness, and all her paths are peace.

I am fenfible how unequal my per is to the fubject I have treated of, and heartily with it may induce fome one more capable to take it up; in the mean time, if what I have said (which I flatter myfelf, however unfkilfully handled, will be allowed to be strictly true) may be the means, in this ap proaching feafon of theatre amusements, to make any of my readers cautious in the choice of them, it will fully answer the intention of a fincere well-wisher to all mankind. Phocias.

beauty, have prevailed upon me to print my fermon ; and none but fuch, I affure you, could have prevailed. After fermon we received the facrament together; and, after that, you moft charitably came to the Coffeehoufe, and there openly declared, tha:

you would fooner have been dead (which, God knows, would have been no lofs, but to your moft ingenious party) than have heard the preacher. Now, good Doctor, was there not a part of the communion fervice where you are to be in charity with all the world? Repent, and go and hang thyfelf; for I never faw a more proud, more ill-natured, ignorant creature in my life. I am

Your most abus'd, Cheltenham, but ftill forgiving brother, Aug. 5, 1750. Edw. Pickering Rich.

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A PRA Y E R.

E fhall pray for Chriff's holy catholic church; the churches of England and Ireland. Pray ye likewife for his facred Majefty King George; fend him fafe home from Hanover, and that he may never go there again for their Royal Highneffes Frederic, Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Duke, the Princeffes, and all the royal family. Pray ye likewife for the two Univerfities of this land; grant that loyalty, learning, and good manners, may, in thofe places, always flourish and abound. Pray ye likewife for Archbishops and Bishops; fend fome of them to be more orthodox, and more full of faith. Blefs both Houfes of Parliament, and fend the majority of them (for they greatly want it) more honesty and understanding.

To thefe our prayers let us add our thanksgiving for all God's mercies and bleffings, efpecially for the redemption of the world by Jefus Chrift, his bleffed Son, and our Lord and Saviour; who hath taught us thus, in few words, to pray:

Our Father, &c.

ECCLE S. i. 2. Vanity of vanities, fays the Preacher; vanity of vanities; all is vanity. HOUGH Solomon had fweet

T mufic to delight his ear; beauto ear, beau, tiful women, delicious gardens, and glittering buildings to please his fight; exquifite meats and drinks to fatisfy

*Milton, in his Paradife Left.

his tafte; yet you find that even beauty (moft beautiful of all) the richeft, fineft wines; harps ever tuned with fweet melodious voice, and amaranthine bow'rs themselves were vain? Who then can judge fo well as Solomon the wife? Who teach us better who pleafed every fenfe, and by experience found, that all was vain? Try then to prove what Solomon afferts.

*

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Firft, women, lovely women, first of all in my efteem; but even thofe women I muft prove are vain. Suppofe they've grace in all their fteps, heav'n in their eye, in all their geftures dignity and love,' as my dear poet elegantly fings; yet ftill how fleeting are thofe joys they give; thofe dear high joys that but a mo ment laft! Suppofe they've wit will, then will their tongues for ever, ever run, and the poor husband deemed, nay called, a fool.

at

Next then we will prove the vanity of wine, fallacious, falfe, intoxicating juice. Wine, when too plentifully drank, creates fufpicion and fevere miftruft, moft noify quarrels, and even the blood of those that erft were friends. Wine fpurs us on full faft to violate our friend's daughter, or our neighbour's wife. O, Drunkennefs! thou antipathy to fight, too unpolite for fuch an audience here to hear thy beastly name.

Next then, how vain, how very vain, to take the dread, the great, Almighty's name in vain; yet the great vulgar ufe it every day.

Now for that mean mechanic fin, a lye; a lye, that men of honour frequently tell, but cannot brook the word, A LYE, again.

Left you now falfely judge that I am a Doctor †, grave, formal, four, and a foe to joy, know then that all fuch creatures I defpife.

Attend, attend, and you will find I