A Dramatic Synopsis; Containing an Essay on the Political and Moral Use of a Theatre; Involving Remarks on the Dramatic Writers of the Present Day,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1804 edition. Excerpt: ... CO unparalleled attention from the throne to the actors, induced them to form themselves into a regular Company bearing the appellation of Her Majesty's servants; and, with many privileges they continued to flourish till the reign of Charles I, whose gloomy and austere temper but ill accorded with the genius.of Dramatic exhibitions, and who bestowed his patronage on masks and other musical representations, prepared at court agreeable to his desire, and decorated with Scenic effect by the celebrated Inigo Jones. And from the great increase of the fanatical power at that period, and the growing convulsion of the state, the Stage rapidly lost its effulgence till the Commonwealth consigned it to little better than perfect oblivion. But after fanaticism lost its force, and genius threw off the fetters of superstitious slavery, the few Players who had been invisible during the convulsions of the country began to congregate, and by the assistance of a few writers the town once more heard of a Theatre . But still prejudice had its porcupine power, and threw the poisonous quills of slander against the Theatre and professors.--In Cibber's time, though the stage had many learned men who filled high situations, in the state, as well as able writers, to give it all thj grace and dignity would admit of, yet calumny lost not her viperous touch, and the Players were daily stigmatized in the most severe manner. But notwithstanding their daily abuse, those that were eminent in the art, were received with all respect in Charles the Second's time. f Lord Hallifax, Henry Killigrew, Addison, Sir Richard Steele, &c. Companies of the first distinction, and highly Cai ressed by persons of the first quality. It was this strange treatment of Players both in...