[7] _Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of Massachusetts Bay_, vol. iii, pp. 500 _et seq._ The Preamble of this Act is highly interesting: “For preventing and avoiding the many and great mischiefs which arise from publick stage-plays, interludes and other theatrical entertainments, which not only occasion great and unnecessary expenses, and discourage industry and frugality, but likewise tend generally to increase immorality, impiety and a contempt for religion,—Be it enacted”, _etc._ [8] Seilhamer, _History of the American Theatre_, vol. ii, pp. 51 _et seq._; Winsor, _The Memorial History of Boston_, vol. iv, ch. v: “The Drama in Boston,” by William W. Clapp, pp. 358 _et seq._ [9] Seilhamer, _op. cit._, vol. iii, p. 13; Dunlap, _History of the American Theatre_, vol. i, p. 244; Snow, _History of Boston_, pp. 333 _et seq._ [10] _Acts and Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts_, 1792–3, pp. 686 _et seq._ [11] The public discussion and legislative phase of the situation, together with the disorders occasioned by the determination of the supporters of the theatre to serve their enterprise at any cost, are well covered by Clapp in the chapter already cited in Winsor’s _Memorial History of Boston_. _Cf._ also Seilhamer, vol. iii, pp. 14 _et seq._; Dunlap, vol. i, pp. 242 _et seq._; Willard, _Memories of Youth and Manhood_, vol. i, pp. 324, 325; Bentley, _Diary_, vol. i. pp 340, 379, 380, 414, 415, 418, _etc._ [12] _The Speech of John Gardiner, Esquire, Delivered in the House of Representatives. On Thursday, the 26th of January, 1792_, Boston, 1792, p. 18. Another publication of the same year, _The Rights of the Drama: or, An Inquiry into the Origin, Principles, and Consequences of Theatrical Entertainments. By Philo Dramatis_ (pseud.), discussed the subject in different vein, but with the same object in view. In the final chapter on “The Outlines of a Theatre, it’s Necessary Appendages, a Plan of Regulation, Calculation of Expenses, Profits, &c.”, doubtless by way of turning the balance of public judgment in favor of the establishment of a local theatre, the author suggests that the following ends may be served: the development of native genius, and thus the elevation of America to a high rank in the republic of letters; the reservation of a certain portion of the revenues of the theatre by the Commonwealth, for the care of the poor of Boston, or of the state, and for the support of the University at Cambridge (Harvard), thus easing the burden of taxation. The closing words of this pamphlet, stripped of their bombast, are not unworthy to stand with Gardiner’s: “Whenever I consider this subject, and contemplate the formation of a Theatre, I cannot help feeling a kind of enthusiasm ... I anticipate the time when the Garricks and Siddons of America shall adorn the Stage, and melt the soul to pity. But here let me pause.—Let the most rigid Stoic, or the greatest fanatic in religion, or the most