Collier, Jeremy (1650-1726)

A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage

London

Printed for S. Keble, R. Sare, and H. Hindmarsh

1698

"Now why should it be in the power of a few mercenary Hands to play People out of their Senses, to run away with their Understandings, and wind their Passions about their Fingers as they list?"

Now why should it be in the power of a few mercenary Hands to play People out of their Senses, to run away with their Understandings, and wind their Passions about their Fingers as they list? Musick is almost as dangerous as Gunpowder; And it may be requires looking after no less than the Press, or the Mint. 'Tis possible a Publick Regulation might not be amiss. No less a Philosopher than Plato seems to be of this Opinion. He is clearly for keeping up the old grave, and solemn way of Playing. He lays a mighty stress upon this Observation: He does not stick to affirm, that to extend the Science, and alter the Notes, is the way to have the Laws repeal'd and to unsettle the Constitution. I suppose He imagined that if the Power of Sounds, the Temper of Constitutions, and the Diversities of Age, were well studied; If this were done, and some general Permissions formed upon the Enquiry, the Commonwealth might find their Account in't.
(p. 279)

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EEBO-TCP

9 entries in ESTC (1698, 1699, 1728, 1730, 1738).

See A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage Together With the Sense of Antiquity Upon This Argument (London: Printed for S. Keble, R. Sare, and H. Hindmarsh, 1698). <Link to EEBO-TCP>

10/01/2013