Page:Famous history of the whimsical Mr Spectator.pdf/11

( 11 ) wealth, as if they had enticed the gentry into thoſe wandrings: but let that be as it will, I am now convinced of the honeſt intentions of the ſaid Mr Powell and company; and ſend this to acquaint you, that he is given all the profits which ſhall ariſe to norrow night by his play to the uſe of the poor charity-children of this pariſh. I have been informed, Sir, that in Holland all perſons who ſet up any ſhow, or act any ſtage-play, be actors either of wood and wire, or fleſh and blood, are obliged to pay out of their gain ſuch a proportion to the honeſt and induſtrious poor in the neighbourhood: by this means they make diverſion and pleaſure pay a tax to labour and induſtry. I have been told alſo, that all the time of Lent, in Roman catholic countries, the perſons of condition adminiſtred to the neceſſities of the poor, and attended the beds of lazars and diſeaſed perſons. Our proteſtant ladies and gentlemen are ſo much to leek for proper ways of paſſing time, that they are obliged to Punchinello for knowing what to do with themſelves. Since the caſe is ſo, I deſire only you would intreat our people of quality, who are not to be interrupted in their pleaſure, to thin is of the practice of any moral duty, that they would at leaſt fine of their fios, and give ſomething to theſe poor children; a little out of their luxury and ſuperfluity, would atone, in ſome meaſure, for the wanton uſe of the reſt of then fortunes. It would not, methinks, be