that what was _Prophane_ or _Immodest_, should have your _Protection_;
or to allow your self or your Friends a _Conversation_ that was apt to
_Corrupt_. You always hoped such _Spots_ might be separated from those
things you took in to _Divert_, and when you had made them as clear as
you cou'd, you was easie to own, they might still be too freely
indulged: For which reason I do not believe we shall differ much when
we come to the End.

Taking then these _Plays_ at the best, _pure_ from all those _defiling
Ingredients_, and _free_ from the blemish of a _Vicious Resort_, a
condition so perfect as we never yet saw the _Theater_ in: All this
would not make it a Place to be greatly frequented by those, that
desire to keep their Minds in a suitable frame. No one wou'd chuse to
converse always with _Fiction_ and _Show_, that cared to preserve
something _Real_ within; Mens Minds in effect being nothing else but
their usual Thoughts, which passing continually through them with
repeated delight, are sure to leave their Image upon them; as we can't
but observe the _Admirers_ of _Scenes_ to have something Romantick in
all that they do.

Were we daily to be in the _House_ of _Feasting_ and the soberest
Mirth, our Spirits wou'd grow by degrees so frothy and light, that we
shou'd not easily bring them to settle again on any thing that was
worthy our care: Without something now and then to raise them a
little, they wou'd be dull and unactive, but _all_ Relaxation wou'd
make them too airy, and of no sort of Use. They wou'd not serve to
keep up our Souls from sinking under the pleasures of sense, but so
unawares betray us into them, by loosning the strength we have to
resist, and improving the Charm, that tho' we supposed the whole
Concern of the _Stage_ to set out all Virtuous at first, we cou'd not