I wield against such adversaries?-The sharpened in struments 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 directed, they must have been pointed at their heads or their hearts, the former of which is impenetrable, and the latter invulnerable. However, could I even 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 " ere they can totally destroy its action. KIMES," 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 disencumbering 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 maugre selfishness, apathy, contempt of fine feelings, and detestation of poetical embellishments, extended their sympathy over the bosom of the Atlantic, exaggerated the sufferings of their client, by fancifully decorating the unenlightened savage with refined sensations, delicacy of feeling, and mental aggravations, such as the highest polish of society alone can give. Yet those very people would ridicule the idea of a sensitive mind, in their own country, lacerated and writhing under the scourge of pride, exercised by the hand of prejudice. If they were to draw a comparison between the sable slave and the itinerant player, it would be considerably to the disadvantage of the latter; for they would coolly calculate upon manual labour on the one side, and (what they would deem) trifling pursuits on the other. When I say no one has endeavoured to raise THE STAGE to its just elevation, I do not mean to assert that it is without its supporters, or champions, No-I have no doubt that their numbers would equal that of its assailants :-but I must add, they too servilely follow the steps of each other. Echo follows echo, in dull monotonous line.-Opinions of councils and senates; fathers of the church and heathen philosophers, are all set forth in battle array, one against the other, authority against authority, and the suffrages of the dead are called for, to decide a question essential only to the living. The stage accusers bray forth the evil tendency of "The Beggars Opera," the idle story of Doctor Faustus, and a hundred other groundless absurdities. The stage defender hurls back the powerful conversion worked by the tragedy of George Barnwell; the discovery of a murder by the acting of a piece called "Friar Francis," and many other puerilities. The only difference I have been able to perceive between the two parties, is this-That bigotry generally sides with the enemies to the stage; consequently there is there a greater degree of ignorance, a larger portion of absurdity, and joined with an ardent, rancorous zeal to effect the object. Its supporters, being mostly men of a liberal turn of mind, enter upon the subject calmly, armed with no other weapons than antiquated authorities, and not wielding them with a proportioned enthusiasm to the malignants, their defence seems at best but lukewarm. Neither party is disposed to quit the old, worn-out system of warfare, and by more extensive excursions, arrive at victory or defeat!-Few seem to have thought for themselves upon the subject, but all appear cramped, and enveloped in the opinions of others. Let none imagine that I have the presumption to think myself equal to the task of emancipating my brethren from the ill effects of a prejudice of which we have all so much cause to complain; or, that I have the temerity to start for the honour of being their champion-No-but fifteen years of experience and bitter reflection on the thoughtless cruelty of society, have compelled me to obtrude myself upon the public, with the hopes of stimulating genius and philanthropy to second my endeavours, by supporting, fostering, vindicating and encouraging a liberal, though injured profession. The profession which produced and nourished the genius of a Shakespeare!-Shall it be attacked by ignorance, illiberality, and calumny, and be in want of shields, to ward off the poisonous, misdirected shafts of such contemptible adversaries. The profession, which has been adorned by the aid of the immortal Shakespeare, the divine Milton, the christian Addison, the pious Young, and the moral Johnson!-Shall it be overpowered by retired monks, enthusiastic visionaries, unlettered bigots, and brainless sectaries?-Oh no!-Depress it they may!-Destroy it!-Impotent attempt!The viper and the file, snow balls against adamant, phosphoric lights to extinguish the meridian sun beam, can alone typify the absurdity!-I have no apprehension about its extinction, I would only deprecate the unmerited censure heaped upon those, who embrace its pursuits. To expose the fallacy of that censure, I lay myself open to the sneer of unfeeling ignorance, the contemptuous smile of cold-hearted apathy, the base attacks of malevolence in its worst shape. All this, I shrink not from; but, when I take into the account, the ordeal of criticism.-I own myself a coward-I suspect my powers-and am more than half inclined to resign the daring bold attempt. However, as I have not taken up my pen with the ridiculous vanity of anticipating either fame or profit*, * The late learned soi-desant prophet Huntingdon says -“ God enabled me to put out several little books, which |