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 would be much crowded that Night; and by this, said he, a Man may judge of the People's Inclinations. The Play which is to be acted to Night is one that extenuates Vice without condemning it, and that contains all the false Arguments that can be brought in Defence of Gallantry, which, if examin'd, will prove to be nothing less than fashionable Wickedness. The House is always full when Honesty is brought on the Stage to be laugh'd at, or when the shining Character in the Play be the Character of an harden'd Villain, that calls himself a fine Gentleman. This People forgets how Glory, and the Character of a fine Gentleman, was acquir'd of old. 'Twas Virtue, and a Love for their King and Country, that made the Gentleman. But now the Learning of the Age has turn'd the Dust of a Campaign into sweet Powder; and those which should weild a Sword, have now learn'd the fashionable Airs of managing a Snuff-Box. The Writers of Plays well know which Way the People's Affections tend; and, to comply with their deprav'd Humour, have always introduc'd Virtue and Innocence in the utmost Distress, as if Affliction were their inseparable Attendant, whilst Vice is generally brought in in Triumph, and by a false Gloss assumes the Appearance of Virtue. This is not to change Names, but Things, even Things of the greatest Consequence. But let us hasten to the Play-House, where, by the Acclamations of the People, you may confirm what I have said, as well as by what you will see represented on the Stage.

We went thither accordingly, and found all that Tckbrff had said to be true; for the House was soon fill'd, and by good Luck we got to a Seat were we could see all that was done in the House very distinctly. But as our greatest Pleasures have their Alloy of Bitterness, it here prov'd my Case; for I had propos'd a great deal of Pleasure to myself in