brought into our _Theatres_, nor Good Men _tremble_ at the Continuance of them: but that _Virtue_ may appear there with all its Charms, and _Vice_ be expos'd to the utmost _Contempt_. In short, that the Stage may become so _Chast_, that even those _Birds of Prey_ who now hover about the _Play-Houses_ and make the Avenues to 'em so dangerous, may fly away from a Place that will no longer _Encourage_ nor _Protect_ them. But after all, _Madam_, Whether this is such a Scheme as can ever be reduc'd in Practice; whether so _noble a Structure_ as I am speaking of, can be erected upon so _rotten_ a _Foundation_; whether the _Wound_ is not _Gangreen'd_, and must be cur'd by _Excision_; I say, whether such a _Regulation_ of the _Stage_ be possible, must be left to those who have _Skill_ and _Authority_ to try the Experiment. In the mean time, it will be every one's Duty to run from a Place of such _Infection_, least they contribute to the spreading a _Disease_ which may, in time, prove _Fatal_ to the whole Nation. But I forget, _Madam_, I am intrenching upon your Patience, while I detain you in a place you have so long abandon'd. I am fallen upon a Subject, which 'tis difficult not to say much of: but I shall no longer interrupt your better Thoughts, than while I beg Pardon for this Trouble, who am, _Madam_, Your very Humble Servant. Jan. 10th. 1704. A / Representation / of the / Impiety & Immorality / of the / English Stage, / with / Reasons for putting a Stop thereto: / and some Questions Addrest to / those who frequent the Play-/ Houses. / London, / Printed, and are to be Sold by J. Nutt / near Stationers-Hall, 1704 / [enclosed within double frame of rules] Collation: A8 B4. Pp. [ 1-] 24. P. [1] title, as above; p. [2] blank; pp. 3-24 text. Three editions were issued in 1704. If we take the author's words literally, the pamphlet was written between the "Great Storm" of November 26, 1703 and the day of fasting decreed by Queen Anne for January 19, 1704. According to Arthur Bedford ('The Evil and Danger of Stage Plays' ... London, 1706) the pamphlet was published "At the Time of the Fast ..." Colton Storm ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Editors of the Augustan Reprint Society wish to thank the following people for assistance rendered during the first year of the society's publication: