DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18732#0190
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the good in all ages, and how extremely pernicious
they are in their tendency to every fpectater. I have
often wondered too at that overflow of immodefl
produ£Hcns which conftantly pollute the public
pafTages of your extenfive metropolis; how do they
find purchasers ? or how do they procure artifts to
execute them ? Reputable artifts, methinks, fhould
be above the proftitution of their talents on fuch libi-
dinous performances; and every decent perfon fhould
confider it as his duty to difcourage as much as pof-
fible this flagrant evil, this grofs difhonour to his
country, its morals, and its God.
It is not eafy to determine the extent of that evil
influence which attends thefe fubjecls. Therifing ge-
neration, as appearing moft obvioufly expofed, excite
our efpecial pity and attention : not that maturer
years are exempt from the contagious effects; how
many of ripe understandings, of refpeclable abilities
and fituations in life, have reafon to regret the im-
moral abufe of the Pencil, as well as of the Press?
But unpract-ifed youth feems more openly expofed to
this mifchief, more eafily captivated by this de-
bauchery ; and thus fpreads the difeafe : From de-
bauched youth, we expedf. debilitated manhood ; from
debilitated manhood, the moft pungent forrows to
himfelf, and to his intimate connexions; the fame
bitter confequences enlarge in his family and his
friends, (if friends he has) and point him out too
juftly as an injury and difhonar to his country; for
not only thofe perfons more immediately around him
fuffer by his behavior, but his example and expref-
fions may taint by accident, and the plague may rage
further than we can trace it.
Yous
the good in all ages, and how extremely pernicious
they are in their tendency to every fpectater. I have
often wondered too at that overflow of immodefl
produ£Hcns which conftantly pollute the public
pafTages of your extenfive metropolis; how do they
find purchasers ? or how do they procure artifts to
execute them ? Reputable artifts, methinks, fhould
be above the proftitution of their talents on fuch libi-
dinous performances; and every decent perfon fhould
confider it as his duty to difcourage as much as pof-
fible this flagrant evil, this grofs difhonour to his
country, its morals, and its God.
It is not eafy to determine the extent of that evil
influence which attends thefe fubjecls. Therifing ge-
neration, as appearing moft obvioufly expofed, excite
our efpecial pity and attention : not that maturer
years are exempt from the contagious effects; how
many of ripe understandings, of refpeclable abilities
and fituations in life, have reafon to regret the im-
moral abufe of the Pencil, as well as of the Press?
But unpract-ifed youth feems more openly expofed to
this mifchief, more eafily captivated by this de-
bauchery ; and thus fpreads the difeafe : From de-
bauched youth, we expedf. debilitated manhood ; from
debilitated manhood, the moft pungent forrows to
himfelf, and to his intimate connexions; the fame
bitter confequences enlarge in his family and his
friends, (if friends he has) and point him out too
juftly as an injury and difhonar to his country; for
not only thofe perfons more immediately around him
fuffer by his behavior, but his example and expref-
fions may taint by accident, and the plague may rage
further than we can trace it.
Yous