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Article THE MIRROR OF THE SPIS. ← Page 3 of 5 →
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The Mirror Of The Spis.
depressed with affliffion , or debased with groveling and selfish passions . But the great mass of mankind is unacquainted with such exalted hopes and desires ; most people pant for some unknown delights which they feel they have not yet enjoyed , and imagine them to consist in more voluptuous gratifications of the senses , or the fancy . Hence it is that those fictions which exceed the bounds of nature and probability are always capable of delihtingthat such
g , books as the Arabian Nights Entertainments are read with avidity , and that the romantic scenery of a pantomime attracts the attention of all classes , though they spurn the controul of common sense , and inculcate no useful lesson of morality . The splendid images they present to the mind produce confused ideas of some unknown pleasures , which the soul feels itself capable of enjoying ; but which are
not to be found within the sphere of mortal existence . Perhaps most writers , who have satirized pantomimic performances , have been blameable for making them subjects of indiscriminate censure ; and it maybe worthy of consideration , whether such exhibitions might not be so far capable of improvement , that while the most luxuriant fancy should be amply gratified , the interest of virtue would no longer be neglected , or a rational being left to blush at his enjoyments .
The introduction of supernatural beings will not offend against what may be termed moral probability , provided they be supposed to produce effects consistent with their important and dignified characters : but when such agency is employed for the purposes of setting a buffoon to scratch his head in the stocks , or turn round on a wind-mil ) , rationality must be disgusted with such absurdities . If such beings
be only represented as guiding innocence through the mazes of artifice , or protesting it from the assaults of violence , and rendering the cause of virtue triumphant over all opposition ; then such an entertainment might be made the source of rational and useful deli ght , as scenes might be introduced more agreeable , magnificent , or terrific than any that are found in the compass of that part of creation with which we are acquainted ; while , at the same time , the most sublime sentiments might be conveyed with the greatest success in such an agreeable vehicle .
' I have sometimes thought , that those excellent productions , the Tales ofthe Genii , might afford a fund of instructive amusement , if those delightful descriptions , awful personages , and wonderful events which thej' contain , were to be in a manner realized on the stage . For instance , if magnificent theatrical processions produce an agreeable effect , what r . au be conceived more august than the dresses and arrangement of the numerous attendants with which Abudali sets
out in search ofthe talisman of happiness ? - If romantic and beautiful scenery be capable of transporting , what could afford finer subjects for the painter to exercise his art upon than the description ofthe gardens and palace of Pleasure ? And if sudden and wonderful events can produce emotions of surprize and horror , what can be more sublimely terrific than the destruction of that palace ? Nor would such representations , however unnatural they may be considered , be -regarded
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Mirror Of The Spis.
depressed with affliffion , or debased with groveling and selfish passions . But the great mass of mankind is unacquainted with such exalted hopes and desires ; most people pant for some unknown delights which they feel they have not yet enjoyed , and imagine them to consist in more voluptuous gratifications of the senses , or the fancy . Hence it is that those fictions which exceed the bounds of nature and probability are always capable of delihtingthat such
g , books as the Arabian Nights Entertainments are read with avidity , and that the romantic scenery of a pantomime attracts the attention of all classes , though they spurn the controul of common sense , and inculcate no useful lesson of morality . The splendid images they present to the mind produce confused ideas of some unknown pleasures , which the soul feels itself capable of enjoying ; but which are
not to be found within the sphere of mortal existence . Perhaps most writers , who have satirized pantomimic performances , have been blameable for making them subjects of indiscriminate censure ; and it maybe worthy of consideration , whether such exhibitions might not be so far capable of improvement , that while the most luxuriant fancy should be amply gratified , the interest of virtue would no longer be neglected , or a rational being left to blush at his enjoyments .
The introduction of supernatural beings will not offend against what may be termed moral probability , provided they be supposed to produce effects consistent with their important and dignified characters : but when such agency is employed for the purposes of setting a buffoon to scratch his head in the stocks , or turn round on a wind-mil ) , rationality must be disgusted with such absurdities . If such beings
be only represented as guiding innocence through the mazes of artifice , or protesting it from the assaults of violence , and rendering the cause of virtue triumphant over all opposition ; then such an entertainment might be made the source of rational and useful deli ght , as scenes might be introduced more agreeable , magnificent , or terrific than any that are found in the compass of that part of creation with which we are acquainted ; while , at the same time , the most sublime sentiments might be conveyed with the greatest success in such an agreeable vehicle .
' I have sometimes thought , that those excellent productions , the Tales ofthe Genii , might afford a fund of instructive amusement , if those delightful descriptions , awful personages , and wonderful events which thej' contain , were to be in a manner realized on the stage . For instance , if magnificent theatrical processions produce an agreeable effect , what r . au be conceived more august than the dresses and arrangement of the numerous attendants with which Abudali sets
out in search ofthe talisman of happiness ? - If romantic and beautiful scenery be capable of transporting , what could afford finer subjects for the painter to exercise his art upon than the description ofthe gardens and palace of Pleasure ? And if sudden and wonderful events can produce emotions of surprize and horror , what can be more sublimely terrific than the destruction of that palace ? Nor would such representations , however unnatural they may be considered , be -regarded