Theatre. comedy, from Ariofto, near thirty years before any of Shakespeare's were printed.

The people however still retained a relifh for their old myfteries and moralities, and the popular dramatic poets feem to have made them their models. The graver fort of moralities appear to have given birth to our modern tragedy; as our comedy evidently took its rife from the lighter inter ludes of that kind. And as most of these pieces contain an abfurd mixture of religion and buffoonery, an eminent critic has well deduced from thence the origin of our unnatural tragi-comedies. Even after the people had been accustomed to tragedies and comedies, moralities ftill kept their ground. One of them, intitled The New Custom, was printed fo late as 1573. At length they affumed the name of mafques, and, with fome claffical improvements, became in the two following reigns the favourite entertainments of the court.

As for the old myfteries, which ceased to be acted after the reformation, they feem to have given rife to a third fpecies of ftage exhibition; which, though now confounded with tragedy or comedy, were by our first dramatic writers confidered as quite diftinct from them both these were hiftorical plays, or hiftories; a fpecies of dramatic writing which resembled the old mysteries in reprefenting a series of hiftorical events fimply in the order of time in which they happened, without any regard to the three great unities. Thefe pieces feem to differ from tragedy juft as much as hiftorical poems do from epic: as the Pharfalia does from the Æneid. What might contribute to make dramatic poetry take this turn was, that foon after the myfteries ceafed to be exhibited, there was published a large collection of poetical narratives, called the Mirror for Magiflrates, wherein a great number of the most eminent characters in English history are drawn relating their own misfortunes. This book was popular and of a dramatic caft; and therefore, as an elegant writer has well obferved, might have its influence in producing hiftoric plays. Thefe narratives probably furnifhed the fubjects, and the ancient myfteries fuggefted the plan.

That our old writers confidered hiftorical plays as fome. what diftinct from tragedy and comedy, appears from num. berlefs paffages of their works. "Of late days (fays Stow in his Survey of London), inftead of thofe ftage plays have been used comedies, tragedies, interludes, and hiftories, both, true and fained." Beaumont and Fletcher, in the prologue to the Captain, fay,

"This is nor comedy, nor tragedy,
"Nor hiftory."-

4

Polonius in Hamlet commends the actors as the beft in the world, either for tragedie, comedie, hiftorie, paftorall, &c. And Shakespeare's friends, Heminge and Condell, in the firft follio edition of his plays, in 1623, have not only, intitled their book "Mr William Shakespeare's Comedies, Hiftories, and Tragedies," but, in their table of contents, have arranged them under thofe three feveral heads; pla cing in the clafs of hiftories, "King John, Richard II. Henry IV. 2 pts, Henry V. Henry V1..3 pts, Richard III. and Henry VIII."

This diftinction deserves the attention of the critics: for if it be the first canon of found criticifm to examine any work by thofe rules the author prefcribed for his firft ob

fervance; then we ought to try Shakespeare's hiftories by Theatre. the general laws of tragedy and comedy. Whether the rule itfelf be vicious or not, is another inquiry; but certainly we ought to examine a work only by thofe principles according to which it was compofed. This would fave much impertinent criticism.

Not fewer than 19 playhoufes had been opened before the year 1633, when Prynne published his Hiftriomaflix. From this writer we learn that tobacco, wine, and beer, were. in those days the usual accommodations in the theatre, as now at Sadlers Wells. With regard to the ancient prices of admiffion, the playhoufe called the Hope had five different priced feats, from fixpence to half-a-crown. Some houses had penny benches. The two-penny gallery is mentioned in the prologue to Beaumont and Fletcher's Woman Hater; and feats of threepence and a groat in the paffage of Prynne laft referred to. But the general price of what is now called the Pit feems to have been a fhilling. The time of exhibition was early in the afternoon, their plays being ge nerally acted by day light. All female parts were performed by men, no actress being ever feen on the public ftage before the civil wars. And as for the playhouse furniture and ornaments, they had no other scenes nor decorations of the ftage, but only old tapestry, and the ftage ftrewed with rufhes, with habits accordingly; as we are affured in a fhort Difcourfe on the English Stage, fubjoined to Flecknoe's Love's-Kingdom, 1674, 12mo.

(B) For the ftate of the theatre during the time of Shakefpeare, fee PLAYHOUSE; where a full account of it is given from the late valuable edition of our illuftrious poet's works by Mr Malone. During the whole reign of James I. the theatre was in great profperity and reputation: dramatic authors abounded, and every year produced a number of new plays; it became a fashion for the nobility to celebrate their weddings, birth-days, and other occafions of rejoicing, with mafques and interludes, which were exhibited with furprifing expence; our great architect, Inigo Jones, being frequently employed to furnish decorations, with all the lux.. uriance of his invention and magnificence of his art. . The king and his lords, and the queen and her ladies, frequently performed in these mafques at court, and the nobility at their private houles; nor was any public entertainment thought complete without them.. This tafte for theatrical entertainments continued during great part of the reign of king Charles the first; but, in the year 1633, it began to be oppofed by the Puritans from the prefs; and the troubles that foon after followed entirely fufpended them till the restora tion of king Charles the fecond in 1660.

The king, at his reftoration, granted two patents, one to Henry Killigrew, Efq; and the other to Sir William Davenant, and their heirs and affigns, for forming two diftinct companies of comedians.. Killigrew's were called the King's Servants, and Davenant's the Duke's Company. About ten of the company called the King's Servants were on the royal household eftablishment, having each ten yards of fcarlet cloth, with a proper quantity of lace allowed them for liveries; and in their warrants from the lord chamberlain they were ftyled gentlemen of the great chamber.

Till this time no woman had been feen upon the English ftage, the characters of women having always been performed by boys, or young men of an effeminate afpect, which probably

Theatre. bably induced Shakespeare to make fo few of his plays depend upon female characters, as they must have been per formed to great difadvantage. The principal characters of his women are innocence and fimplicity, fuch are Desdemona and Ophelia; and his fpecimen of fondness and virtue in Portia is very short. But the power of real and beautiful women was now added to the ftage; and all the capital plays of Shakespeare, Fletcher, and Ben Jonfon, were divided between the two companies, by their own alternate choice, and the approbation of the court.

Gentleman's Magazine

1733.

The king's fervants feem to have been allowed to be the best company; and when the variety of plays began to be exhaufted, they drew the greater audiences. Davenant, therefore, to make head against them, firft added spectacle and mufic to action, and introduced a new fpecies of plays, fince called dramatic operas; among these were, The Tempest, Pfyche, and Circe; which, with many others, were set off with the most expenfive decorations of fcenes and habits, and with the best voices and dancers.

In 1684 the two houfes united, and continued together for ten years. In 1690 the play began at four o'clock; and, we are told, the ladies of fashion used to take the evening air in Hyde-park after the representation; by which it appears that the exhibitions were in fummer too. The principal actors were, Betterton, Montfort, Kynafton, Sandford, Nokes, Underhill, and Leigh, commonly called Tony Leigh; the actreffes were, Mrs Betterton, Barry, Leigh, Butler, Montfort, and Bracegirdle; and to this company, in this year, old Cibber was admitted as a performer in the lowest rank. It was a rule with the patentees, that no young perfon, who offered himself as an actor, fhould be admitted into pay till after at least half a year's probation; and Cibber waited full three quarters of a year before he was taken into a falary of 10s. a week.

In 1695 a new theatre was opened with Mr Congreve's comedy of Love for Love, which had fuch extraordinary fuccefs (fays Cibber) that fcarce any other play was acted there till the end of the season; but when the season ended, which appears to have begun in June, he does not tell us, and it is indeed difficult to guefs; for though the company acted in fummer, it feems improbable that they should thut up the house in winter, as it is difficult to conceive any reafon for fo doing. Congreve was then in fuch high repu. tation, that this company offered him a whole share (but into how many fhares the whole was divided Colley has not told us) upon condition he would give them a new play every year. This offer he accepted, and received the advantage, though he never fulfilled the condition; for it was three years before he produced the Mourning Bride, and three more before he gave them the Way of the World.

It is not neceffary that we give in detail the remaining hiftory of the English ftage: thofe who are anxious to be acquainted with it may confult Cibber's hiftory of the ftage, continued by Victor, under the title of A Hiftory of the Theatres of London and Dublin from the year 1730. We fhall only mention a few facts refpecting the falaries of the players about that period, and the rife of the price of play. tickets.

A difference having arisen in 1733 between the managers and actors, moft of the actors fet up for themfelves at the little theatre in the Haymarket. Upon this the managers published the following account of their falaries, to fhew the public how little room they had to mutiny. To Mr Colley Cibber, from the time of letting his fhare till he left the ftage, 121 128. per week. Mr The. Cibber 51. and his wife's whole falary till her death, without doing the company any fervice the greateft part of the winter; and his own alfo, during the time of his being ill, who per

Thebes.

formed but feldom till after Christmas. Mr Mills jun. 31. Theatre under the fame circumftances with regard to his wife. Mr Mills fen. 11. per day for 200 days certain, and a benefit clear of all charges. clear of all charges. Mr Johnfton 51. Mr Miller 1. paid him eight weeks before he acted, befides a prefent of 10 guineas. Mr Harper 41. and a prefent of 10 guineas. Mr Griffin 41. and a prefent. Mr Shepard 31. Mr Hallam, for himfelf and father (though the latter is of little or no fervice) 31. Mrs Heron 51. raised from 408. laft winter, yet refused to play feveral parts affigned her, and acted but feldom this feaion. Mrs Butler 31. per week. By thefe and other falaries, with the incident charges (befides clothes and fcenes), the patentees are at the daily charge of 491. odd money, each acting-day.

Till about the fame time, the prices at the theatre were 43. the boxes, 2s. 6d. the pit, 1 s. 6d. the firft gallery, and Is. the fecond, except upon the first run of a new play or pantomime, when the boxes were 5s. the pit 3s. the first gallery 28. and the fecond 18. But Fleetwood thought fit to raile the prices for an old pantomime, which was revived without expence. This produced a riot for feveral nights, and at laft a number deputed by the pit had an interview with the manager in the green room, where it was agreed, that the advanced prices fhould be conftantly paid at the doors, and that fuch perfons as did not choofe to stay the entertainment should have the advanced part of their money returned. This was a very advantageous agreement for the manager; becaufe, when the audience had once paid their money, and were feated, very few went out at the end of the play, and demanded their advanced money; the few that did it at firft, foon grew tired, and at laft it settled in the quiet payment of the advanced price, as at this day. It has been frequently a fubje&t of debate, whether the ftage be favourable to morals. We do not mean to enter 1 into the controversy; but we shall make an observation or two. It will be allowed by all, that the intention of the players in acting, is to procure money; and the intention of the audience in attending the theatre, is to feek amusement. The players then will only act fuch plays as they believe will answer their intention. And what fort of plays are these? They are fuch as correfpond with the opinions, manners, and tafte, of the audience. If the taste of the audience be grofs, therefore the plays will be grofs; if delicate and refined, they will be the fame. And if we go back to the time of Shakespeare, we fhall find that this has been uniformly the cafe. The conclufion, then, which we draw, is this, if the taite of the audience be pure, free from licentioufnefs, the plays will be the fame, and the ftage will be favourable to virtue.

THEBAIC POWDER. See PHARMACY-Index.

THEBAID, a celebrated heroic poem of Statius, the fubject whereof is the civil war of Thebes, between the two brothers Eteocles and Polynices; or Thebes taken by Thefeus.

er of

THEBES, the name of a celebrated city of ancient Greece. It is fuppofed to have been built by Cadmus, about the year of the world 2555. This Cadmus, accord-Account ing to the Greeks, was the fon of Agenor king of Sidon or Cadmus of Tyre; but the Sidonians allow him to have been of no the found higher quality than his cook, and tell us that his wife was hebes a musician at court, with whom he ran away into Greece. The Greek writers tell us, that being commanded by his father to go in fearch of his daughter Europa, whom Jupi. ter in the fhape of a bull had carried off, and forbid to return without her, he built, or rebuilt, the city of Thebes, after having long fought her in vain. He was at first op pofed by the Hyantes and Aones; the former of whom he defeated in battle, and forced to retire into Locris:

the

Thebes, the latter fubmitted, and were incorporated among his fubjects. Supposed to

3

The The

Those who endeavour to extract fome truth from the be one of multitude of fables in which the early part of the Grecian the exiled hiftory is obfcured, are of opinion that Cadmus was one of Canaanites, the Canaanites expelled by Joshua; and that he was of the family of the Cadmonites mentioned by Mofes and Jofhua. He is univerfally allowed to have introduced the Phoenician letters into Greece, fet up the firft fchools, and introduced brafs; which, from him, had the name of Cadmean given to it. The government of Thebes continued for a long time monarchical; and the names of a number of its kings have been tranfmitted to us, with fome account of their tranfactions; but fo much obfcured by fable, that little or nothing can be determined concerning them. We fhall therefore país over this fabulous part of their hiftory, and only take notice of that period of it when the Thebans emerged from their obicurity, and for a time held the fovereignty of Greece. Though the T'hebans had been famed in the early period bansa de of their hiftory for their martial atchievements, yet in propraecefs cefs of time they feem to have degenerated. At the time pid peoof the invafion of Xerxes, they were the first people in Greece who were gained over to the Perfian intereft. On account of this misbehaviour, they were become very obnoxi ous to the other ftates, especially to the Athenians, whofe power and renown increased every day, and threatened at laft to fwallow them up altogether. The 'l hebans being in no condition to oppofe fuch a formidable power, put themselves unrepro-der the protection of the Spartans, who, out of jealoufy of the of Athenians, readily forgave them; and fo grateful were the te Sar Thebans for the kindness fhown them at this time, that du. ring the whole of the Peloponnefian war Sparta had not a more faithful ally. By thete means they not only recovered the government of Boeotia, of which they had been formerly in poffeffion, till deprived of it on account of their fiding with the Perfians, but their city became one of the firft in Greece. By this profperity the Thebans were fo much elated, that, when the peace of Antalcidas came to be fign. ed, they refused to agree to it, as they were thus once more deprived of the government of Boeotia; fo that it was not without the utmost difficulty that they were overawed The form into it by the other ftates. Not content with forcing them of zovem to give up this point, however, the Spartans undertook to tch change the form of the Theban government, which at this time was a democracy, and accomplished through the treachby ery of those who had the care of the citadel. Spar.

Pt themfives un

6

The Thebans continued under the power of the Spartans for four years; at the end of which term a confpiracy being formed against them by fome of the principal people The The. in the city, among whom was a young nobleman named Peheir lapidas, the Spartans were maffacred and driven out, and the under citadel regained. During the tumult Epaminondas, afterdas wards the celebrated general, with a number of the beft citizens, joined the party of Pelopidas; and the latter having called a general affembly of the Thebans, proclaimed liberty to them, and exhorted them in the strongest manner to fight for their country. This fpeech was received with the greatest acclamations; Pelopidas was unanimoufly proclaim ed the preferver of Thebes, and was charged with the management of the war which was then to be declared againft Sparta.

with Sparta.

Thefe tranfactions fo much exafperated the Spartans, that they immediately fent their king Cleombrotus a, ainft them, though it was then the depth of winter. The Athenians, in the mean time, who had hitherto affifted the Thebans, declined any farther connection, left they fhould draw upon themselves the refentment of the Spartans. But VOL. XVIII. Part II.

8

they were foon after determined to act again on the fame Thebes, fide, by an attempt which the Spartan general, Sphodnas, had rafhly made on the Pyræum or harbour of Athens. Thus, by means of the Athenians, a powerful diversion was made in favour of the Thebans, who gradually recovered all the towns of Bocotia, and at length began to act offenfively againft their enemies, and made a powerful invasion in Phocis. They had now many tharp encounters with them; which, though they did not amount to decifive battles, yet did not fail to raife their courage, and diftrefs that of the Spartans. In thefe encounters Pelopidas al-The Spar ways fignalized himfelf; and in the battle of Tanagra, tans defeatwhere the Lacedæmonians were entirely defeated by the A-ed by elothenians and their allies, Pelopidas had a principal fhare in pidas. the victory, and killed the Spartan general with his own hand. Soon after this, with a body of only 300 Thebans, he entirely routed and difperfed near 1000 Spartans; which was the greatest difgrace the latter had ever known; for till that time, whether in war with the Greeks or Barbarians, they had never been overcome by an equal, much less by fuch an inferior, number of troops.

10

Thefe fucceffes of the Thebans greatly alarmed the Athenians, who continually fought to oppofe their growing power. In this oppofition they were joined by the Plate-Plata and ans, who on this account became extremely obnoxious to the Thefpia ras Thebans, fo that they at laft came to a refolution to fur-zed by the prife their city. This they accomplished, and entirely de- Thebans. ftroyed it, together with Theipia, another city extremely well affected to Athens. Soon after this, the Thebans, encouraged by their fuccefs, began to think of enlarging their territories, and of making encroachments on their neighbours, as they faw other states had done before them. This Account of fpirit of conqueft is faid to have been raised by their gene- Epaminon. ral Pelopidas; in which he was feconded by Epaminondas, a das. perfon who, though like him endowed with all the neceffary qualities to make a complete captain or patriot, had till then preferred a private life, an lived in a conftant course of virtue and the ftudy of philofophy. He had as yet feldom appeared in public, except to get himself excufed from thofe itate-employments which were fo eagerly courted by others. This, however, had not hindered him from contracting an intimate friendship with Pelopidas, which had been daily improved by the correspondence of their tempers and principles, as well as by that zeal which both displayed for the good of their country; which laft had made them, even before this time, appear together in action, and to fuch advantage, that Epaminondas's merit could be no longer concealed, nor indeed fuffer him to continue longer.in his beloved retirement: fo that he saw himfelt, at length, defervedly placed at the head of the Theban troops; where he gave fuch early proofs of his future prowefs and abilities, as juítly gave him the next rank to Pelopidas. Both came now to be confidered in the fame light, as generals in the field, as governors at home, and as complete ftatesmen in the council. When the general treaty for reftoring peace to Greece came to be propofed by the Athenians, and was upon the point of being executed by the reft of the ftates, the Thebans refused to agree to it, unless they were comprehended in it under the name of Baotians. This demand was as ftrenuously opposed by the other contracting powers as infifted on by Epaminondas, who was there as ambaffador on the part of the Thebans. Agefilaus, in particular, told him His diffein plain terms, that the Thebans ought to evacuate Boeotia, rence with and leave the cities of it free and independent. To which he efilaus was anfwered by him, that the Lacedæmonians would do well to fet them the example, by restoring Meffenia to its ancient proprietors, and Laconia to its ancient freedom; for 3 F

that

king of

Sparta.