_Valerius Maximus_, Contemporary with _Livy_, gives much the same Account of the rise of _Theatres_ at _Rome_. 'Twas Devotion which built them. And as for the Performances of those Places, which Mr. _Dryden_ calls the _Ornaments_, this Author censures as the Blemishes of _Peace_.' And which is more, He affirms 'They were the Occasions of Civil Distractions; And that the _State_ first Blush'd, and then Bled, for the Entertainment.[443] He concludes the consequences of _Plays_ intolerable;[444] And that the _Massilienses_ did well in clearing the Country of them. _Seneca_ complains heartily of the Extravagance and Debauchery of the Age: And how forward People were to improve in that which was naught. That scarce any Body would apply themselves to the Study of Nature and Morality, unless when the _Play-House_ was shut, or the Weather foul. That there was no body to teach _Philosophy_, because there was no body to Learn it: But that the _Stage_ had _Nurseries_, and Company enough. This Misapplication of time and Fancy, made Knowledge in so ill a Condition. This was the Cause the Hints of Antiquity were no better pursued; that some Inventions were sunk, and that Humane Reason grew Downwards rather than otherwise.[445] And elswhere he avers that there is nothing more destructive to Good Manners then to run Idling to see _Sights_. For there Vice makes an insensible Approach, and steals upon us in the Disguise of pleasure.[446] '_Tacitus_ relating how _Nero_ hired decay'd Gentlemen for the _Stage_, complains of the Mismanagement;[447] And lets us know 'twas the part of a Prince to releive their Necessity, and not to Tempt it. And that his Bounty should rather 'have set them above an ill practise, than driven them upon't.' And in another place, He informs us that 'the German Women were Guarded against danger, and kept their Honour out of Harms way, by having no _Play-Houses_ amongst them.'[448] _Plays_, in the Opinion of the Judicious _Plutark_ are dangerous to corrupt Young People; And therefore _Stage_ Poetry when it grows too hardy, and Licentious, ought to be checkt.[449] This was the Opinion of these Celebrated _Authors_ with respect to _Theatres_: They Charge them with the Corruption of Principles, and Manners, and lay in all imaginable Caution against them. And yet these Men had seldom any thing but this World in their Scheme; and form'd their Judgments only upon Natural Light, and Common Experience. We see then to what sort of Conduct we are oblig'd. The case is plain; Unless we are little enough to renounce our Reason, and fall short of Philosophy, and live _under_ the Pitch of _Heathenism_. To these Testimonies I shall add a Couple of _Poets_, who both seem good Judges of the Affair in Hand.