No. 9. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1779.

SIR,

TO THE AUTHOR OF THE MIRROR.

SOME weeks ago, I was called from my retreat in the country, where I have passed the last twenty years in the enjoyment of ease and tranquillity, by an important family concern, which made it necessary for

me to come to town.

Last Thursday I was solicited by an old friend to accompany him to the playhouse, to see the tragedy of King Lear; and, by way of inducement, he told me the part of Lear was to be performed by an actor who had studied the character under the English Roscius, and was supposed to play it somewhat in the manner of that great master. As the theatre had been always my favourite amusement, I did not long withstand the entreaties of my friend; and when I reflected that Mr. Garrick was now gone to 'that undiscovered country, from whose bourn no traveller returns,' I felt a sort of tender desire to see even a copy of that great original, from whose performances I had often, in the earlier part of my life, received such exquisite pleasure.

As we understood the house was to be crowded, we went at an early hour, and seated ourselves in the middle of the pit, so as not only to see the play to advantage, but also to have a full view of the audience, which, I have often thought, is not the least pleasing part of a public entertainment. When the boxes began

to fill, I felt a secret satisfaction in contemplating the beauties of the present times, and amused myself with tracing in the daughters those features which, in the mothers and grandmothers, had charmed me so often.

My friend pointed out to me, in different parts of the house, some of the reigning toasts of our times, but so changed, that without his assistance, I never should have been able to find them out. I looked in vain for that form, that complexion, and those numberless graces, on which I had been accustomed to gaze with admiration. But this change was not more remarkable than the effect it had upon the beholders; and I could not help thinking the silent neglect with which those once celebrated beauties were now treated by much too severe a punishment for that pride and haughtiness they had formerly assumed.

While I was amusing myself in this manner, I observed that some of the upper boxes were filled with ladies, whose appearance soon convinced me that they were of an order of females more desirous of being distinguished for beauty than for virtue. I could not refrain from expressing some disgust at seeing those unfortunate creatures sitting thus openly mingled with women of the first rank and fashion. Poh!'. said my friend, that is thought nothing of now-adays; and every body seems to be of the same opinion with the celebrated Countess of Dorchester, mistress of King James II., who having seated herself on the same bench with a lady of rigid virtue, the other immediately shrunk back; which the countess observing, said, with a smile, Don't be afraid, madam; gallantry is not catching.'

As I was going to reprove my friend for talking with such levity of a matter that seemed to be of so serious a nature, the curtain drew up, and the play began. It is not my design, sir, to trouble you with

any remarks on the performance; the purpose of this letter is to request of you to take some notice of a species of indecorum, that appeared altogether new to me, and which I confess it hurt me to observe.

Before the end of the first act, a number of young men came in, and took their places in the upper boxes, amidst those unhappy females I have already mentioned. I conch ded that these persons were as destitute of any pretension to birth or fashion, as they were devoid of decency of manners; but I was equally surprised and mortified to find, that many of them were of the first families of the kingdom. You, sir, who have lived in the world, and seen the gradual and almost imperceptible progress of manners, will not, perhaps, be able to judge of my astonishment, when I beheld those very gentlemen quit their seats, and come down to pay their respects to the ladies in the lower boxes. The gross impropriety of this behaviour raised in me a degree of indignation which I could not easily restrain. I comforted myself, however, with the hopes that those unthinking youths would meet with such a reception from the women of honour, as would effectually check this indecency; but I am sorry to add, that I could not discern, either in their looks or manner, those marks of dis

approbation which I had made my account with perceiving. Both the old and the young, the mothers and the daughters, seemed rather pleased when these young men of rank and fortune approached them. I am persuaded, at the same time, that were they to think but for a moment of the consequences, they would be sensible of the impropriety of their behaviour in this particular. I must therefore entreat of you sir, to take the earliest opportunity of giving your sentiments on the subject.

The complaints of my correspondent are not without reason. The boundaries between virtue and vice cannot be too religiously maintained; and every thing that tends to lessen, in any degree, the respect due to a woman of honour ought ever to be guarded against with the utmost caution.

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When I was in France, I observed a propriety of behaviour in the particular mentioned by Mr. A. W. that pleased me much. Even in that country, loose as we imagine the manners there to be, nobody who wishes to preserve the character of well-bred a tleman is ever seen at a place of public resort in company with those misguided fair-ones, who, however much they may be objects of pity and compassion, have forfeited all title to respect and esteem. I would recommend to our young men to follow, in this, the example of our neighbours, whom they are so ready to imitate in less laudable instances. To consider it only in this view, there is certainly no greater breach of politeness than that which has given occasion to this letter. In other respects, the consequences are truly alarming. When every distinction is removed between the woman of virtue and the prostitute; when both are treated with equal attention and observance; are we to wonder if we find an alteration of the manners of the women in general, and a proportional diminution of that delicacy which forms the distinguishing characteristic of the respectable part of the sex?

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These considerations will, I hope, prove sufficient to correct this abuse in our young gentlemen. As my fair country-women, it is ever with reluctance that I am obliged to take notice of any little impropriety into which they inadvertently fall. Let them, however, reflect, that a certain delicacy of sentiment and of manners is the chief ornament of the female character, and the best and surest guardian of female

honour. That once removed, there will remain less difference than perhaps they may be aware of, between them and the avowedly licentious. Let them also consider, that, as it is unquestionably in their power to form and correct the manners of the men, so they are, in some sort, accountable, not for their own conduct only, but also for that of their admirers.

TO THE AUTHOR OF THE MIRROR.

I do not mean to reflect, Mr. MIRROR; for that is your business, not mine; far less do I purpose to pun, when I tell you, that it might save some reflec-> tions upon yourself, did you take the trouble to translate into good common English those same Latin scraps, or mottos, which you sometimes hang out by way of a sign-post inscription at the top of your paper. For consider, sir, who will be tempted to enter a house of entertainment offered to the public, when the majority can neither read nor understand the language in which the bill of fare is drawn and held out? I am a Scotsman of a good plain stomach, who can eat and digest any thing; yet I should like to have a guess at what was to be expected before I sit down to table. Besides, the fair sex, Mr. MIRROR, for whom you express so much respect,-what shall they do? Believe me, then, sir, by complying with this hint, you will not only please the ladies, but now and then save a blush in their company to some grown gentlemen, who have not the good fortune to be so learned as yourself. Amongst the rest, you will oblige one who has the honour to be

Your admirer and humble servant,

Edinburgh, Feb. 19, 1779.

IGNORAMUS.