The Lines of Virtue and Vice are Struck out by Nature in very Legible Distinctions; They tend to a different Point, and in the greater Instances the Space between them is easily perceiv'd. Nothing can be more unlike than the Original Forms of these Qualities: The First has all the sweetness, Charms, and Graces imaginable; The other has the Air of a _Post_ ill Carved into a _Monster_, and looks both foolish and Frightful together. These are the Native Appearances of good and Evil: And they that endeavour to blot the Distinctions, to rub out the Colours, or change the Marks, are extreamly to blame. 'Tis confessed as long as the Mind is awake, and Conscience goes true, there's no fear of being imposed on. But when Vice is varnish'd over with Pleasure, and comes in the Shape of Convenience, the case grows somewhat dangerous; for then the Fancy may be gain'd, and the Guards corrupted, and Reason suborn'd against it self. And thus a _Disguise_ often passes when the Person would otherwise be stopt. To put _Lewdness_ into a Thriving condition, to give it an Equipage of Quality, and to treat it with Ceremony and Respect, is the way to confound the Understanding, to fortifie the Charm, and to make the Mischief invincible. Innocence is often owing to Fear, and Appetite is kept under by Shame; But when these Restraints are once taken off, when Profit and Liberty lie on the same side, and a Man can Debauch himself into Credit, what can be expected in such a case, but that Pleasure should grow Absolute, and Madness carry all before it? The _Stage_ seem eager to bring Matters to this Issue; They have made a considerable progress, and are still pushing their Point with all the Vigour imaginable. If this be not their Aim why is _Lewdness_ so much consider'd in Character and Success? Why are their Favourites Atheistical, and their fine Gentleman debauched? To what purpose is _Vice_ thus prefer'd, thus ornamented, and caress'd, unless for Imitation? That matter of Fact stands thus, I shall make good by several Instances: To begin then with their Men of Breeding and Figure. _Wild-blood_ sets up for _Debauchery_, Ridicules Marriage, and Swears by _Mahomet_.[287] _Bellamy_ makes sport with the Devil,[288] and _Lorenzo_ is vitious and calls his Father _Bawdy Magistrate.[289] Horner_ is horridly Smutty, and _Harcourt_ false to his Friend who used him kindly.[290] In the _Plain Dealer_ _Freeman_ talks coarsely, cheats the Widdow, debauches her Son, and makes him undutiful. _Bellmour_ is Lewd and Profane,[291] And _Mellefont_ puts _Careless_ in the best way he can to debauch _Lady Plyant_.[292] These _Sparks_ generally Marry up the Top Ladys, and those that do not, are brought to no Pennance, but go off with the Character of Fine Gentlemen: In _Don-Sebastian_, _Antonio_ an Atheistical Bully is rewarded with the Lady _Moraima_, and half the _Muffty_'s Estate. _Valentine_ in _Love for Love_ is (if I may so call him) the Hero of the