themselves by anathematizing the play-house and forbidding "Dodd"
attendance at such places; probably ending up their dissertation by
declaring to the boy that it was his "natural heart, which is enmity
against God," that led him to desire such sinful diversions.

So, one night "Dodd" went alone to the theatre.

Truth to tell, and to his credit be it said, he chose a reputable place
for his maiden visit. The play was "London Assurance." It was well
done, and the boy, who really possessed much innate dramatic genius,
enjoyed the performance greatly. He felt ill at ease, however, while
in the place, and went very quietly to bed when he reached home.
Indeed, as he lay awake for an hour or two after retiring, unable to
sleep because of the vivid visions of the play that his highly wrought
imagination and memory represented to his mental eyes, he resolved that
he would never again go to see a play, but would stop with a single
taste of the pleasure. Having made this resolve, be went to sleep
content. How easy it is to make good resolutions, and to be content
and satisfied in them when out of the reach of temptation.

But the next day, as he went about the city, he saw "Othello" billed
for that evening. He was restless in an instant. He talked the matter
over with himself something as follows, considering whether or not he
should go and see the "Moor of Venice:"

"'Dodd,' you are a fellow who cannot rest contented until you have seen
what there is to see in the line of plays upon the stage. There are
two kinds of dramas--tragedy and comedy. You saw comedy last night.
Go and see tragedy tonight and that will cover the whole field. You
will then have seen it all and will be satisfied."