er we can say as much of those zealous persons who inveigh so loudly against them. I am conscious, Sir, that some people will blame me for having followed the most favourable opinion concerning plays, for it is now the fashion to teach an austere doctrive, and not to practice it; but I assure you, I have been solely governed by truth, wichjog still to observe that Father's rule who directs us to form our actions by the most severe opinions, and our doctrine by the most indulgent. I am Sir, Yours, &c. FREE THOUGHTS UPON METHODISTS, ACTORS, AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE STAGE. ADVERTISEMENT. I MUST openly and candidly inform my readers, that they will occasionally find in the subsequent pages expressions which policy cannot warrant, nor prudence Justify. But "I am whipped and scourged with rods, nettled and stung with pismires, when I think of the many provocations we have received from some certain tolerated intolerants." Several of my friends, who honoured my manuscript with a perusal, suggested to me the impropriety of approaching, if not entering, the province of abuse, at the very moment I am condemning my opponents for their frequent excursions to the same disgraceful resource*. I daringly mention this to show, that if I * Vide Introductory Letter, page 31. am erring, it is wilfully, and I shall probably add to the offence, by not only avowing my knowledge of it, but by openly justifying the measure. The arrears of two centuries*, form a long unsettled account, which I much regret some of my predecessors did not balance at former periods, and thus have added another instance in favour of the good old adage, “that short reckoning makes long friends.” However, since the office of accountant-general, has fallen to my lot, it is my wish to re-pay our accusers and abusers, partly in their own coin. I confess myself incompetent to the task of making up the whole sum, but whatever deficiency there may be found on this score, I trust will be more than compensated for, by an overplus of reason, candor, and justice. I have been conscientious in striking the balance, and, I believe every item advanced in my statement to be strictly correct. In this wordy war, let it be clearly understood, that I do not consider myself as the aggressor, on the contrary, my profession is daily-hourly annoyed by an enemy armed like wild Indians, with poisoned darts, * Vide Introductory Letter, page 31. tomahawks, and KIMES!*_Wbat weapon can I wield against such adversaries? The sharpened instrumects of wit, satire, and ridicule, have been frequently exercised in vain against the desultory attacks of these demi maniacs The weapons must have been ill di. rected, they must have been pointed at their heads or their hearts, the former of which is impenetrable, and the latter invulnerable. However, could leven guide them with more effect, such polished arms I cannot boast; a good homely cudgel is the most respectable epithet I can venture to bestow upon“Free Thoughts," but I trust it will be found of sufficient powers to turn the edge of their“KIMES,” ere they can totally destroy its action. * Vide Edinburgh Review, April, 1809, page 46. FREE THOUGHTS, &c. IT is a matter of astonishment in this age of novelty-hunting, when we have been informed that virtues are vices, and have pursued vices as if they were virtues :when emancipation, reform, freedom and equality are the watch-words of the day.It is somewhat extraordinary no one has started for the honour of elevating The STAGE to its proper level, and disencumberin the professors from the fetters forged for them in the dark days of ignorance and superstition. The Pagan African found advocates amongst all ranks, all persuasions; even in the most rigid of our sectaries, who mau |