Xlv RISE AXD PROGRESS OF THE STAGE.
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c pies, or doings of any unchastity, sedition, or such“ like unfit ana uncomely matter, under the penalty of“ five pounds, and fourteen days imprisonment. That“ no play should be acted till first perused and allowed“ by the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen ; with“ many other restrictions. Yet it was provided that“ this act should not extend to plays shewed in“ private houses, the lodgings of a nobleman, citizen,“ or gentleman, for the celebration of any marriage,** or other festivity, and where no collection of mo-“ ney was made from the auditors. But these orders“ were not so well observed as they should be ; the“ lewd matters of plays increased, and they were“ thought dangerous to religion, the state, honesty,“ and manners, and also for infection in the time of“ sickness. Wherefore they w’ere afterwards for some** time totally suppressed. But, upon application tothe queen and council, they were again tolerated,“ under the following restrictions: That no plays “ be acted on Sundays at all, nor on any holidays“ till after evening prayer. That no playing be in“ the dark, norcontinue any such time but as any of“ the auditors may return to their dwellings in Lon-“ don belore sun-set, or at least before it be dark.“ That the queen’s players only be tolerated, and of“ them their number and certain names to be notified“ in the Lord Treasurer’s letters to the Lord Mavor,“ and to the Justices of Middlesex and Surrey. And“ those her players not to divide themselves in several“ companies. And that, for breaking any of these“ orders, their toleration cease But all these pre-“ scriptions were not sufficient to keep them within“ due hounds; but their plays, so abusive oftentimes“ of virtue, or particular persons, gave great offence,“ and occasioned many disturbances : when they were“ now and then stopped and'prohibited.” It is hopedthis long quotation from Stow will be excused, os itserves not only to prove several facts, but to shew thecustoms of the stage at that time, and the early de-pravity of it. But that the plays not only of that age
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