Cursory Observations on the Actors, of its dangerou The Stage considered wit retarding the Pro The Stage considered as an Conclusion Appendix Page 17, for" verecundiusque," re Page 20, note, for "no evidence of dence of the utility of a thing." Page 49, for " Miss Baille," read " Page 133, for Mrs. Moore," read " In two or three instances supply inve of quotations. PREFACE. WHATEVER different opinions may be entertained, respecting the EXECUTION Of the following Work, the Author hopes that, among the friends of morality and religion, there will be but one as to its OBJECT. It may, however, be justly asked, Why is the subject of the Theatre again agitated? Has it not of late especially been amply discussed? That this subject has excited considerable attention must be acknowledged; but it surely will not be seriously urged, that any work has been recently written, which, separate from personal alteration and local circumstances, has any claim to general circula tion. a well In single sermons, and in written pamphlet*, strictures on the morality and dangerous tendency Stage have appeared; but there has im- of the been no volume of modern publication which is professedly and exclusively devoted to the subject. the A remark in the Eclectic Review, which declared it to be of no small practical interest, induced me to undertake present Work: with what success I have fulfilled my task the public must decide.. I offer no apology for inaccuracy ;. general cant of authors, by which the they it.. I would disarm criticism: as I have always despised it, so I disdain to employ Every man who prints should do his best: but if he think to attain perfection, he betrays a weakness which will ensure disappointment. However, without Rev. Rowland Hill's "Warning to Professors." his sup- |