an example to a Christian moralist. That the theatre might, by possibility, be made a source both of moral and mental improvement, under the guidance of more elevated principles, and a judicious and virtuous superintendence; by pruning away from the drama its many false and corrupt sentiments, unlawful expressions, impure allusions, and violations of religious decorum, I will not deny; but that it is not so that it is altogether perverted from such an end, let the details and consequences of theatrical exhibitions on the young and thoughtless, especially in the metropolis, in the annual ruin of thousands, testify to the fact."

"However," said the squire, somewhat pressed by a halfconsciousness of the truth of this reasoning," let us go through the remaining points of your case before we sum up the evidence, and, as we magistrates say, give judgment. Pray, Mr. Davies, how do you prove the transgression of the fourth commandment ?"

"By the eight first words by which the commandment is announced," answered the clergyman. "This sacred law is constantly violated by the performances at the opera house, on a Saturday evening, extending into Sunday morning. The injunction contained in the law is thus expressed: Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day;' and immediately afterwards it is added, the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Now, my dear sir," he continued," without straining the question beyond what the strict truth will warrant, I would ask an unprejudiced mind, whether continuing the representations at the theatre till one or two o'clock on Sunday morning be not a direct infraction of the commandment? it to keep holy the Sabbath-day to permit such an exhibition as is there witnessed, to usher in the solemnities of the Lord God of Sabaoth ?' Can it be considered a meet preparation for the worship of the Great Being who made us, to be en

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gaged in all the revelry of worldly dissipation, and the excitement of mind and body which are there carried on? With what possible composure, or collectedness of mind, can either master or servant, with such visions of sensual splendour floating in their imaginations during a feverish sleep, enter the temple of Jehovah, a few hours afterwards, to render unto Him the homage due to his glorious attributes? Can such a service, commencing with the sin of disobedience, and thus nominally offered, with all the sense of weariness and distraction of thought consequent on the previous evening's dissipation, be acceptable to Him who is of 'purer eyes than to behold evil?' I can understand a man's feeling who declines to give up this exciting amusement, be it right or wrong, and who is determined to abide the consequences of it, but I confess, I cannot comprehend his asserting, in the face of so strict a commandment, that the practice I have alluded to involves no crime."

And, now, to your third point," exclaimed our host, with a look and a tone indicating a slight movement of impatience; as, apparently, of doubt, also, as to the reply he should make to such grave and important propositions, and with the cunning view of gaining time for considering his answer. "How can you possibly connect the seventh commandment with the representations of her Majesty's Theatre ?"

"It is a matter of unhappy notoriety," said Mr. Davies, "that the majority of the females of that establishment, and especially the female dancers, are women of light character. It is but too well known that numbers of young men of fashion, as well as more elderly gentlemen, who ought to set their juniors a better example, assemble behind the scenes during the intervals of the performance, and form connexions with these persons of an illicit nature, which often terminate in their ruin in after life. It is notorious, also, that the prima donna

of the opera, a married woman, is, at this very moment, living in a state of adultery. These, you must acknowledge, are grave matters of reprobation. But let us turn, for an instant, our attention to the ballet-that abomination in any country, but more emphatically in a Christian country like that of England. And what do we behold there? We see exhibited before a crowded audience of the youthful aristocracy of the land, both male and female, as well as before their more unblushing parents who take them there, an indecency of dress; a gross and shameless exposure of the person; sensual movements, attitudes, looks and gestures, of the most unwarrantable, libidinous, and disgraceful character; and, I may add, to a well regulated mind, disgusting as it is disgraceful.

"No example of fashion," continued Mr. Davies; "no splendour of rank; no prestige of great names and lofty attainments, can sanction such an exhibition of utter licentiousness as the one in question. Let the propriety of it be tested by the infallible word of inspiration: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.'* Is not, then, the converse of the divine proposition equally true-that the impure in heart shall not see God?' And is not the character of impurity impressed alike on the spectators, as on the actors, in such a scene?

"I will grant," said our clerical moralist, "that, to a carnal heart, the representations we are alluding to present attractions of a highly exciting nature. They powerfully address the passions, but they are those of the grossest quality; and which, if unrestrained by principles of virtue, lead to every disorder of mind and body of which the libertine nature of unregenerated man is susceptible. We behold, it is true, beauty of face, elegance of form, grace of motion, luxury of dress, fairy-like combinations of groups, and all the poetic deve*Matt. v. 8.

lopments of a physical imagination, (if I may be allowed the expression,) and the whole heightened by the captivating strains of voluptuous music. But all these gifts of nature, and embellishments of art, are degraded to a degree of moral prostitution by the base means by which that captivation is produced."

"I well remember," said Mr. Gracelove,-begging pardon of his friend for the momentary interruption-" having heard, some years ago, these different heads of objection to the opera insisted upon in the most masterly, impressive, and talented style possible, through the medium of a sermon. The sanctuary was the Temple Church, and the preacher was the Master of the Temple,' the Rev. Mr. Benson.

Among many striking observations enunciated on this subject by the reverend expounder, I was particularly struck by one which carried irresistible conviction with it, as well from the novelty of its conception as the justness of the sentiment. He said, that not one of the heads of families who habitually witnessed, in their boxes at the opera, with unblushing faces, the abominations of the ballet, would dare to introduce the same dancers, and the same meritricious exhibition, to their own private households: that a latent spark of shame and conscience would deter them from thus desecrating the sacredness of the domestic hearth, and endangering the respect and the virtue of both their children and their servants.

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But if this assertion be a correct one,' observed the minister, then self-conviction, however disregarded, as to the unlawfulness of such amusements, and as to the criminal inconsistency of their conduct, must occasionally flash on their minds, if they ever think at all of their modes of life, and its awful responsibilities. What cannot be witnessed at home, from the sheer reproach of shame, ought not to be witnessed

abroad; and that which violates decency and pollutes virtue, in private life, cannot be made innocent because exhibited in a crowd!

"On leaving the church," said Mr. Gracelove, "I felt so deeply convinced of the truth of what had been so forcibly urged, that I immediately made a vow, that, by the blessing of God, I would never enter the Opera-house again; and I am thankful to say I have kept my vow sacred, both as respects the opera and all other theatres, from that hour to the present."

After a slight pause, which followed the last remark, Mr. Stately observed, that " He felt somewhat like a criminal at the bar, put on his defence; since all the severe reflections made against theatrical amusements, and especially against those of the opera, had arisen from an intimation he had given of a recent visit to the latter."

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"I beg, my dear sir," interrupted Mr. Davies, you will not consider my remarks personal to yourself, but rather as general, and addressed to the principle of the exhibitions alluded to. No doubt an audience is made up of individuals; and you have stated that you were one amongst the number recently present in the Queen's Theatre. Yet, in the discussion of this question, I had principally in view the systematic attendant-the renters of boxes from year to year— rather than the isolated visit of one who may not see London oftener than once in two or three years. And yet I must not compromise myself by having it for a moment inferred that I consider even an isolated breach of the divine law is guiltless; for if the principle is right, the slightest violation of it is sinful. I cannot, however, in candour, forget that I was formerly, in the days of my juvenility and thoughtlessness, an occasional attendant at the opera myself; nor can I be unconscious (as I sincerely hope for it) that the same grace of