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Article PRESENT STATE OF THE SPANISH THEATRE. ← Page 2 of 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of The Spanish Theatre.
besides , there are frequently presented in these little pieces tAvo species of beings peculiar to Spain , and whose manners and expressions ought to be held in contempt ; but which , on the contrary , are the objects of much mirth ancl pleasantry , and sometimes of imitation . These are the Majos and the Majas , on the one part ; and the Gitanos and Gitanas , on the other . .- ' The Majos are beaux of the lower classor rather bullieswhose
. , , grave and frig id pomposity is announced b y their whole exterior . They have an accent , habit , and gesture , peculiar to themselves . Their countenance , half concealed under a brown stuff bonnet , called Montera , bears the character of threatening severity , or of Avrath which seems to brave persons the most proper to awe them into respect , and which is not softened even in the presence of their mistress . The officers of scarcel
justice y dare attack them . The women , intimidated by their terrible aspect , seem to wait with resignatio ' n the soft caprice of these petty sultans . If they are provoked b y any freedoms , a gesture of impatience , a menacing look , sometimes " a long rapier or a poniard concealed under their wide cloak , announce'that they cannot permit familiarity wish impunity . The Majas , on their rival these much their
parts , caprices as as feeble means will permit ; they seem to make a stud y of effrontery . Tbe licentiousness of their manners appears in their attitudes , actions , and expressions ; and when lewdness in their personsis cloathed with every wanton form , all the epithets Avhich admiration can inspire are lavished upon them ! This is the disagreeable side of the picture . But if the spectator goes with not
a disposition , very scrupulous , to the representation in which the Majas figure , when he becomes familiarized to manners very little conformable to the virtues of the sex , and the means of inspiring ours with favourable sentiments , he sees in each of them the most seducinppriestess that ever presided at tiie altars of Venus . Their impudent affectation is no more than a poignant allurement , which introduces into the senses a delirium that the wisest can scarcely guard against , and which , if it inspire not love , -at least nromises mnrh iiiv , „„ - _
, The most indulgent persons will , however , be displeased that the Majos and Majas are thus received upon the theatre , ancl preserve their allurements even in the circles of good company . In most countries _ the inferior classes think it an honour to ape their superiors ; in Spain it is the contrary , in many respects . There are , amono-botli sexes , persons of distinguished rankAVIIO seek their models
, amon-- * the heroes of the populace , who imitate their dress , manners , and accent ,. and are flattered when it is said of them , < He is A'ery like ' a I \ ..-ij ' o . One would take , her for a Maja . ' This is , indeed , renouncing the nobihty of one of the sexes , and the decency which constitutes the principal charm of the other .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Present State Of The Spanish Theatre.
besides , there are frequently presented in these little pieces tAvo species of beings peculiar to Spain , and whose manners and expressions ought to be held in contempt ; but which , on the contrary , are the objects of much mirth ancl pleasantry , and sometimes of imitation . These are the Majos and the Majas , on the one part ; and the Gitanos and Gitanas , on the other . .- ' The Majos are beaux of the lower classor rather bullieswhose
. , , grave and frig id pomposity is announced b y their whole exterior . They have an accent , habit , and gesture , peculiar to themselves . Their countenance , half concealed under a brown stuff bonnet , called Montera , bears the character of threatening severity , or of Avrath which seems to brave persons the most proper to awe them into respect , and which is not softened even in the presence of their mistress . The officers of scarcel
justice y dare attack them . The women , intimidated by their terrible aspect , seem to wait with resignatio ' n the soft caprice of these petty sultans . If they are provoked b y any freedoms , a gesture of impatience , a menacing look , sometimes " a long rapier or a poniard concealed under their wide cloak , announce'that they cannot permit familiarity wish impunity . The Majas , on their rival these much their
parts , caprices as as feeble means will permit ; they seem to make a stud y of effrontery . Tbe licentiousness of their manners appears in their attitudes , actions , and expressions ; and when lewdness in their personsis cloathed with every wanton form , all the epithets Avhich admiration can inspire are lavished upon them ! This is the disagreeable side of the picture . But if the spectator goes with not
a disposition , very scrupulous , to the representation in which the Majas figure , when he becomes familiarized to manners very little conformable to the virtues of the sex , and the means of inspiring ours with favourable sentiments , he sees in each of them the most seducinppriestess that ever presided at tiie altars of Venus . Their impudent affectation is no more than a poignant allurement , which introduces into the senses a delirium that the wisest can scarcely guard against , and which , if it inspire not love , -at least nromises mnrh iiiv , „„ - _
, The most indulgent persons will , however , be displeased that the Majos and Majas are thus received upon the theatre , ancl preserve their allurements even in the circles of good company . In most countries _ the inferior classes think it an honour to ape their superiors ; in Spain it is the contrary , in many respects . There are , amono-botli sexes , persons of distinguished rankAVIIO seek their models
, amon-- * the heroes of the populace , who imitate their dress , manners , and accent ,. and are flattered when it is said of them , < He is A'ery like ' a I \ ..-ij ' o . One would take , her for a Maja . ' This is , indeed , renouncing the nobihty of one of the sexes , and the decency which constitutes the principal charm of the other .