Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the English Stage (1704); Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage in a Letter to a Lady (1704) — Themes and Context

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Series Three: Essays on the Stage

No. 2 Anon., Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the English Stage (1704) and Anon., Some thoughts Concerning the Stage (1704)

With an Introduction by Emmett L. Avery and a Bibliographical Note

Announcement of Publications for the Second Year

The Augustan Reprint Society March, 1947 Price: 75c

General Editors: Richard C. Boys, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Edward N. Hooker, H. T. Swedenberg, Jr., University of California, Los Angeles 24, California.

Membership in the Augustan Reprint Society entitles the subscriber to six publications issued each year. The annual membership fee is $2.50. Address subscriptions and communications to the Augustan Reprint Society, in care of one of the General Editors.

Editorial Advisors: Louis I. Bredvold, University of Michigan; James L. Clifford, Columbia University; Benjamin Boyce, University of Nebraska; Cleanth Brooks, Louisiana State University; Arthur Friedman, University of Chicago; James R. Sutherland, Queen Mary College, University of London; Emmett L. Avery, State College of Washington; Samuel Monk, Southwestern University.

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Within two or three years after the appearance in 1698 of Jeremy Collier's 'A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage', the bitter exchanges of reply and counter-reply to the charges of gross licentiousness in the London theaters had subsided. The controversy, however, was by no means ended, and around 1704 it flared again in a resurgence of attacks upon the stage. Among the tracts opposing the theaters was an anonymous pamphlet entitled 'A Representation of the Impiety and Immorality of the English Stage', a piece which was published early in 1704 and which appeared in three editions before the end of that year.

The author reveals within his tract some of the reasons for its appearance at that time. He remarks upon the obvious failure of the opponents of the theater to end "the outragious and insufferable Disorders of the STAGE." He stresses the brazenness of the players in presenting, soon after the devastating storm of the night of November 26-27, 1703, two plays, 'Macbeth' and 'The Tempest', "as if they design'd to Mock the Almighty Power of God, _who alone commands the Winds and the Seas_." ('Macbeth' was acted at Drury Lane on Saturday, November 27, as the storm was subsiding, but, because it was advertised in the 'Daily Courant' on Friday, November 26, for the following evening, it would appear that, unless the players possessed the even more formidable power of foreseeing the storm, their presentation of 'Macbeth' at that time was pure coincidence. No performance of 'The Tempest' in late November appears in the extant records, but there was probably one at Lincoln's Inn Fields, which was not regularly advertising its offerings.) The author also emphasizes the propriety, before the approaching Fast Day of January 19, 1704, of noting once more the Impiety of the stage and the desirability of either suppressing it wholly or suspending its operations for a considerable period. Apparently the author hoped to arouse in religious persons a renewed zeal for closing the theaters, for the tract was distributed at the churches as a means of giving it wider circulation among the populace. ('The Critical Works of John Dennis' [Baltimore, 1939], I, 501, refers to a copy listed in Magga catalogue. No. 563, Item 102, with a note: "19th Janry, Fast Day. This Book was given me at ye Church dore, and was distributed at most Churches.")

Except for the author's ingenuity in seizing upon the fortuitous circumstances of the storm, the acting of 'Macbeth' and 'The Tempest', and the proclamation of the Fast Day (which was ordered partly because of the ravages of the storm), there is nothing greatly original in the work. The author was engaged, in fact, in bringing up to date some of the accusations which earlier controversialists had made. For example, he reviews the indictments of the players in 1699 and 1701 for uttering profane remarks upon the stage, and he culls from several plays and prints the licentious expressions which had resulted in the indictments. Like Jeremy Collier before him and Arthur Bedford in 'The Evil and Danger of Stage-Plays' later (1706), he adds similar expressions from plays recently acted, as proof, presumably, of the failure of the theaters to reform themselves in spite of the publicity previously given to their shortcomings. In so doing, he damns the stage and plays by excerpts, usually brief ones, containing objectionable phrases. To this material he adds a section consisting of seventeen questions, a not uncommon device, addressed to those who might frequent the playhouses. The questions again stress the great difficulty involved in attending plays and remaining truly good Christians.

The pamphlet must have been completed late in 1703 or very early in 1704. The references to the storm and the performances of 'Macbeth' and 'The Tempest' would place its final composition after late November, 1703, and it was in print in time to be distributed at the churches on January 19 and also to be advertised in the 'Daily Courant' for January 20 under the heading "This present day is publish'd." The fact that it quickly attained three editions during 1704 may be partially accounted for by its being given to churchgoers, for it seems unlikely that the pamphlet would have a tremendous sale, even if one allows for the strong opposition to the stage which persisted in the minds of many people at the turn of the century. The author of the tract is unknown, although Sister Rose Anthony in 'The Jeremy Collier Stage Controversy, 1698-1726' (Milwaukee, 1937), pages 194-209, ascribed it to Jeremy Collier, an attribution which E. N. Hooker, in a review of the book in 'Modern Language Notes', LIV (1939), 388, and also in 'The Critical Works of John Dennis', I, 501, has deemed unlikely.

Advertised also in the 'Daily Courant' for January 20, 1704, under the heading "This present day is publish'd" and in the same paragraph with the advertisement of 'A Representation', was another short pamphlet, 'Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage in a Letter to a Lady'. (Immediately below this notice of publication was a re-advertisement of Jeremy Collier's 'Dissuasive from the Play-House', with the result that, on the day following the Fast Day, three of the pamphlets attacking the stage and referring to the performances of plays representing tempests soon after the destructive storm of November 26-27, 1703, were brought simultaneously to the attention of the public.)

It seems clear that the publication and distribution of these books was a feature in the activities of the Societies for Reformation of Manners. The anonymous 'Account of the Progress of the Reformation of Manners' (13th ed., 1705) boasted that the Societies had enlarged their design by causing books to be written which aimed at "laying open to the World the outragious Disorders and execrable Impieties of our most Scandalous Play-Houses, with the fatal Effects of them to the Nation in general, and the manifest Sin and Danger of particular Persons frequenting of them" (p. 2). Defoe's 'Review' (III, no. 93, for August 3, 1706) pointed out that thousands of Collier's books had been distributed at the church doors by the Societies for Reformation of Manners and the founders of the Charity Schools. Obviously the Societies did not restrict themselves to the works of Collier. Incidentally, the habit of Collier and his followers of giving excerpts to illustrate the profaneness and immorality of the stage produced an unexpected effect in at least one quarter. The same issue of the 'Review' tells us that the Rev. Dr. William Lancaster, archdeacon of Middlesex, objected strongly to the dispersal of anti-stage tracts at the door of _his_ church, on the grounds that they tended "to teach the ignorant People to swear and curse."

'Some Thoughts Concerning the Stage in a Letter to a Lady' was ascribed by Halkett and Laing to Josiah Woodward, who was associated with the Society for the Reformation of Manners, and the ascription has been referred to by later writers on the controversy over the immorality of the stage. According to Sister Rose Anthony (op. cit., pp. 203-209), Jeremy Collier may have issued a pamphlet as a supplement to his 'Dissuasive from the Play-House', which was first published late in 1703; and it has been conjectured (cf. 'Critical Works of John Dennis', I, 501, 505) that 'Some Thoughts' might be that work, especially since Dennis, at the end of 'The Person of Quality's Answer to Mr. Collier's Letter', refers to a quotation from Tillotson which appears on pages 8-9 of 'Some Thoughts' and begins his reference to the pamphlet by designating it as a "Letter written by you [Collier], tho' without Name." In any event, both 'A Representation' and 'Some Thoughts' stem from the renewed opposition to the stage which arose in the winter of 1703-1704 and were activated in part by the belief that the great storm of 1703 was a judgment brought on England by, among other faults, the licentiousness of the stage.

Both of the items printed in this issue are reproduced, with permission, from copies in the library of the University of Michigan.

Emmett L. Avery State College of Washington

A REPRESENTATION OF THE Impiety & Immorality OF THE English Stage,

WITH Reasons for putting a Stop thereto: and some Questions Addrest to those who frequent the Play-Houses.

LONDON, Printed, and are to be Sold by J. Nutt near Stationers-Hall, 1704.

A REPRESENTATION OF THE Impiety & Immorality OF THE English Stage.

The various Methods that have been used for Preventing the outragious and insufferable Disorders of the STAGE, having been in a great measure defeated: It is thought proper, under our present Calamity, and before the approaching FAST, to collect some of the _Prophane and Immoral Expressions_ out of several late PLAYS, and to put them together in a little Compass, that the Nation may thereby be more convinced of the _Impiety of the Stage_, the Guilt of such as frequent it, and the Necessity of putting a Stop thereto, either by a total Suppression of the _Play-Houses_, as was done in the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, or by a Suspension for some considerable time, after the Example of other Nations; where, we are informed, the Stages were very chaste, in respect of ours of this Nation, who are of a Reformed Religion, and do with so much Reason glory in being of the best constituted Church in the World; nay, 'tis out of doubt but the _Theatres_ even of _Greece_ and _Rome_ under _Heathenism_ were less obnoxious and offensive, which yet by the Primitive Fathers and General Councils stood condemned.

And is not the dangerous and expensive War we are engaged in, together with the present Posture of Affairs, a sufficient Reason for this, tho' the Play-Houses were less mischievous to the Nation than they are?

Are we not also loudly called upon to lay aside this prophane Diversion, by the late dreadful Storm, terrible beyond that which we are told was felt in the Year 1636? which, as a Right Reverend Prelate has observ'd, some good Men then thought presag'd further Calamity to this Nation, and was accordingly followed by the Commotions in _Scotland_ the very next Year, and not long after by the Civil War in _England_.

And if we go on to countenance such open and flagrant Defiances of Almighty God, have we not great Reason to fear his heavy Judgments will consume us?

But further, Her Majesty having now, upon Occasion of the late great Calamity, appointed a Day of Solemn Fasting and Humiliation throughout the Kingdom, for the deprecating of God's Wrath, surely the Players have little Reason to expect that they shall still go on in their abominable Outrages; who, 'tis to be observed with Indignation, did, as we are assured, within a few Days after we felt the late dreadful Storm, entertain their Audience with the ridiculous Representation of what had fill'd us with so great Horror in their Plays call'd 'Mackbeth' and the 'Tempest' as if they design'd to Mock the Almighty Power of God, _who alone commands the Winds and the Seas, and they obey him_. No surely, it cannot but be hoped, that a Suspension at least of the Players acting for some considerable time will follow, when the _Prophaneness and Immorality of the Stage_ comes to Her Majesty's Knowledge, who, 'tis to be remembred, has never once given any Countenance to the Play-House by Her Royal Presence, since Her happy Accession to the Throne.

The abominable obscene Expressions which so frequently occur in our Plays, as if the principal Design of them was to gratifie the lewd and vicious part of the Audience, and to corrupt the virtuously dispos'd, are in this black Collection wholly omitted; lest thereby fresh Poison should be administred instead of an Antidote.

_After the Endeavours used by Sir Richard Blackmore, Mr. Collier, and others, to Correct and Reform the _Scandalous Disorders and Abuses of the Stage_ were found too unsuccessful; in the Year _1699_, several of the _Players_ were prosecuted in the Court of _Common-Pleas_, upon the Statute of _3 Jac. 1._ for prophanely using the Name of GOD upon the _Stage_, and Verdicts were obtained against them._

_And in _Easter-Term, 1701_, the _Players_ of one House were Indicted at the _King's-Bench-Bar_, before the Right Honourable the Lord Chief Justice _Holt_, for using these following Expressions, and were thereof Convicted._

_In the Play call'd, _The Provok'd Wife.__

'But more than all that, you must know I was afraid of being damn'd in those Days; for I kept sneaking, cowardly Company, Fellows that went to Church, and said Grace to their Meat, and had not the least Tincture of Quality about em.

'Damn 'em both, with all my Heart, and every thing else that daggles a Petticoat; except four generous Whores, with Betty Sands at the Head of 'em, who were drunk with my Lord Rake and I, ten times in a Fortnight.

'Sure, if Woman had been ready created, the Devil, instead of being kick'd down into Hell, had been married.

'He has married me, and be damn'd to him

'Damn Morality, and damn the Watch.

'Let me speak and be damn'd.

[Note: _This is spoken by one in a Minister's Habit._]

'And you and your Wife may be damn'd.

'Stand off and be damn'd.

'Damn me, if you han't.

'Lord! What Notions have we silly Women from these old Philosophers of Virtue, for Virtue is this, and Virtue is that, and Virtue has its own Reward; Virtue, Virtue is an Ass, and a Gallant is worth forty on't.

'If I should play the Wife and Cuckold him.

'That would be playing the down-right Wife indeed.

'I know according to the strict Statute Law of Religion, I shou'd do wrong; but if there were a Court of _Chancery_ in Heaven, I'm sure I shou'd cast him.

'If there were a House of Lords you might.

'If you should see your Mistress at a Coronation, dragging her Peacocks Train, with all her State and Insolence about her, it would strike you with all the awful Thoughts that Heaven it self could pretend to, from you.

'Madam, to oblige your Ladyship, he shall speak Blasphemy.

'In hopes thou'lt give me up thy Body, I resign thee up my Soul.

'A Villain, but a repenting Villain; Stuff which Saints in all Ages have been made of.

'Satan and his Equipage; Woman tempted me, Lust weakened me, and so the Devil overcame me; as fell _Adam_, so fell I.

_A Bill was likewise found against the _Players_ of the other House, in the Term abovementioned, for the following Expressions; but the Indictement being wrong laid, they were acquitted: but they were Indicted the Term following for the same, which Indictment is not yet tried._

In the Humour of the Age.

'Marriage, that was only contriv'd for the meaner Rank; tell me of Marriage, commend me to a Whore.

'Every serious Thought, was so much Time lost.

'We address you with the same awful Reverence we petition Heaven.

_In Sir 'Courtly Nice'._

'Nay, his Salvation is a Looking-Glass, for there he finds his eternal Happiness, Surly's Heaven, at least his Priest is his Claret-Glass, for to that he confesses all his Sins, and from it receives Absolution and Comfort. But his Damnation is a Looking-Glass, for there he finds an eternal Fire in his Nose.

'That same thing, the Word _Love_, is a Fig-Leaf to cover the naked Sense, a Fashion brought up by _Eve_, the Mother of Jilts, she Cuckold her Husband with the Serpent, then pretended to Modesty, and fell a making of Plackets.

'Let him be in Misery and be damn'd.

'And a Pox on thee for't.

'Prithee Dress and be damn'd.

'Pox on 'em: Pox on you all Whores.

'Let him Plague you, Pox you, and damn you; I don't care and be damn'd.

_The following Expressions are transcribed out of the Plays that have been Acted and Printed since they were Indicted for the horrid Passages above-recited._

_In the Comedy call'd, 'The False Friend. 1702'._

Pag. 7. 'Pox take ye. Pag. 12 'The Devil fetch me, &c.

Pag. 22. 'Heaven's Blessing must needs fall upon so dutiful a Son; but I don't know how its Judgments may deal with so indifferent a Lover.

Pag. 28. 'Say that 'tis true, you are married to another, and that a---- Twou'd be a Sin to think of any Body but your Husband, and that ---- You are of a timorous Nature, and afraid of being damn'd.

'How have I lov'd, to Heaven I appeal; but Heaven does now permit that Love no more.

'Why does it then permit us Life and Thought? Are we deceiv'd in its Omnipotence? Is it reduc'd to find its Pleasure in its Creature's Pain?

Pag. 33. '_Leonora_'s Charms turn Vice to Virtue, Treason into Truth; Nature, who has made her the Supream Object of our Desires must needs have design'd her the Regulator of our Morals.

'There he goes I'faith; he seem'd as if he had a Qualm just now; but he never goes without a Dram of Conscience-water about him to set Matters right again.

Pag. 43. 'Speak, or by all the Flame and Fire of Hell eternal; speak, or thou art dead.

_In the 'Inconstant', or the 'Way to Win him. 1702'._

Pag. 10. 'My Blessing! Damn ye, you young Rogue.

Pag. 20. 'What do you pray for? Why, for a Husband; that is, you implore Providence to assist you in the just and pious Design of making the wisest of his Creatures a Fool, and the Head of the Creation a Slave.

Pag. 43. 'But don't you think there is a great deal of Merit in dedicating a beautiful Face to the Service of Religion?

'Not half so much as devoting them to a pretty Fellow. If our Femality had no Business in this World, why was it sent hither? Let's dedicate our beautiful Minds to the Service of Heaven: And for our handsom Persons, they become a Box at the Play, as well as a Pew in the Church.

_In the 'Modish Husband'._

Pag. 12. 'She's mad with the Whimsies of Virtue and the Devil.

Pag. 28. 'I think Wit the most impertinent thing that belongs to a Woman, except Virtue.

Pag. 47. 'The Devil fetch him.

Pag. 50. 'I'm going towards Heaven, Sirrah; it must be the Way to my Mistress.

_In the Play call'd, 'Vice Reclaim'd', &c._

Pag. 15. 'Now the Devil take that dear false agreeable; what shall I call him, _Wilding_. But I'll go home and pray heartily we may meet again to morrow.

Pag. 24. 'By Heaven it becomes you.

Pag. 27. 'The Devil take me.

Pag. 31. 'Lightning blast him! Thunder rivet him to the Earth! That Vulture, Conscience, prey upon his Heart, and rack him to Despair!

Pag. 32. 'Grant me, ye Powers, one lucky Hint for Mischief.

Pag. 43. 'Then damn me, if I don't, &c.

Pag. 47. 'Rot me and be damn'd.

Pag. 52. 'By Heaven, &c.

Pag. 60. 'Well, the Devil take me.

_In the 'Different Widows'._

Pag. 1. 'Damn'd Lies, by _Jupiter_ and _Juno_, and the rest of the Heathen Gods and Goddesses; for I remember I paid two Guinea's for swearing Christian Oaths last Night.

Pag. 2. 'Pox take him. Pag. 24. 'Ye immortal Gods, who the Devil am I?

Pag. 61. 'May the Devil, Curses, Plagues and Disappointments light upon you.

_In the 'Fickle Shepherdess'._

Pag. 17. 'Bid _Charon_ instantly prepare his Boat, I'd row to Hell.

Ibid. 'O _Ceres_, can thy all-seeing Eye _behold_ this Object, and yet restrain thy Pity?

Pag. 32. 'Fly hence to Hell; there hide thy Head lower than Darkness. Wou'd thou hadst been acting Incest, Murder, Witchcraft, when thou cam'st to pray: Thou hadst in any thing sinn'd less than in this Devotion.

Pag. 36. 'Where Love's blind, God sends forth continual Arrows.

Pag. 42. '_Ceres_, to whom we all things owe.

Pag. 46. 'Almighty _Ceres_.

_In the Play called, 'Marry or do Worse, 1704'._

Pag. 4. 'Pox on me. Rot the World.

Pag. 8. 'A Plague on her.