Sí'í9 ON THE ET>UCATION OF YOUTH. 2. The next forbidden diversion is the ntnsgtrerurle. By all the descriptions that I have heard of it, it seems, to be a very low piece of foolery, fitted for children and for persons of a little and trifling genius, who can entertain themselves at blind -mans- buff. And as the entertainment is much meaner than that of the theatre, so it is something more hazardous, to virtue and inno- cence. It does not so much as pretend to any such improve- ment of the mind as the theatre professes ; while it lays a more dreadful snare to modesty, and has made too often a dismal inroad on the morals of those that frequent it. Could I but per- suade persons to read what the Right Reverend the late Lord Bishop of London has published, in his Sermon for the Refor- mation of Manners, I am ready to think, that all those who pro- fess virtue, would refrain their feet far front it, and not comae near the doers of' the house. His words are these : " Amongst the various engines contrived by a corrupt ge- neration to support vice and profaneness, and keep them itt countenance, i must particularly take notice of masquerades, as they deprive virtue and religion of their last refuge, I mean shame, which keeps multitudes of sinners within the bounds of decency, after they have broken through all the ties of principle and conscience. But this invention seta them free from that tie also ; being neither better nor worse, than an opportunity to say and do there, what virtue, decency, and good manners will not permit to be said or done in any other place. If persans of either sex will frequent lewd and profane plays, or openly join them- selves to loose and atheistical assemblies of any kind, they hávé their reward, they are sure to be marked and branded by all good men, as persons of corrupt minds and vicious inclinations, who have abandoned religion and all pretences to it, and given themselves ever to luxury and profaneness. And as bad as the world is, this is a very heavy load upon the characters of men, and in spite of all the endeavours of vice to bear up and keep itself in countenance, it sinks them by degrees into infamy and contempt. But this pernicious invention entrenches vice and profaneness against all the assaults and' impressions of shame': and whatever lewdness may be concerted, whatever luxury, im- modesty, or extravagance may be cotnmitted in' word or deed, no one's reputation is at stake, no one's character is responsible for it. A circumstance of such terrible consequence to virtue and good manners, that if masquerades shall ever be revived (as we heartily hope they will not) all serious Christians within these two great and populous cities will be nearly concerned to lay it to heart, and diligently bestir themselves in cautioning their friends and neighbours against such fatal snares. Particularly, all who have the government and education of youth, ought to take the greatest care to keep them out of the way of this
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