Fashion, nor keep up the Character of Gentlemen: Thus People not well furnish'd with Thought, and Experience, are debauch'd both in Practise and Principle. And thus Religion grows uncreditable, and passes for ill Education. The _Stage_ seldom gives Quarter to any Thing that's serviceable or Significant, but persecutes Worth, and Goodness under every Appearance. He that would be safe from their Satir must take care to disguise himself in Vice, and hang out the _Colours_ of Debauchery. How often is Learning, Industry, and Frugality, ridiculed in Comedy? The rich Citizens are often Misers, and Cuckolds, and the _Universities_, Schools of Pedantry upon this score. In short, Libertinism and Profaness, Dressing, Idleness, and Gallantry, are the only valuable Qualities. As if People were not apt enough of themselves to be Lazy, Lewd, and Extravagant, unless they were prick'd forward, and provok'd by Glory, and Reputation. Thus the Marks of Honour, and Infamy are misapplyed, and the Idea's of Virtue and Vice confounded. Thus Monstrousness goes for Proportion, and the Blemishes of Human Nature, make up the Beauties of it. The fine Ladies are of the same Cut with the Gentlemen; _Moraima_ is scandalously rude to her Father, helps him to a beating, and runs away with _Antonio_.[296] _Angelica_ talks sawcily to her Uncle,[297] and _Belinda_ confesses her Inclination for a Gallant.[298] And as I have observ'd already,[299] the Toping Ladies in the _Mock Astrologer_, _Spanish Fryar_, _Country Wife_, _Old Batchelour_, _Orphan_, _Double Dealer_, and _Love Triumphant_, are smutty, and sometimes Profane. And was Licentiousness and irreligion, alwaies a mark of Honour? No; I don't perceive but that the old _Poets_ had an other Notion of Accomplishment, and bred their people of Condition a different way. _Philolaches_ in _Plautus_ laments his being debauch'd; and dilates upon the Advantages of Virtue, and Regularity.[300] _Lusiteles_ another Young Gentleman disputes handsomly by himself against Lewdness. And the discourse between him and _Philto_ is Moral, and well managed.[301] And afterwards he lashes Luxury and Debauching with a great deal of Warmth, and Satir.[302] _Chremes_ in _Terence_ is a modest young Gentleman, he is afraid of being surpriz'd by _Thais_, and seems careful not to sully his Reputation.[303] And _Pamphilus_ in _Hecyra_ resolves rather to be govern'd by Duty, than Inclination.[304]