Private Theatricals.

PRIVATE THEATRICALS .

BY AMATEUR . " " KNOW of no move harmless ancl gregarious amusement than private -f- theatricals . I say so boldly ancl distinctly . We have got rid , let ns hope f ° r ever , of that Puritan intolerance ancl injustice which saw nothing but Prevailing evil in the theatre and all its associations and surroundings . To

s ome good folk of earlier clays the " theatre " seemed to be a representation of the " bottomless pit , " ancl actors and actresses as " incarnations " of an evil spirit , and the idea of going to a theatre a hurtful and unfitting one for the religious and God-fearing . Happily , as I said just now , such unsound and untenable theories are passing away , ancl it is now , to a great extent , recognized , as it " will one clay , I

bope , be universally admitted , that the theatre is and may be a good school for morality , propriety , and truth ; ancl that actors and actresses are and may be just as religious , sincerely God-serving people as the gravest professors , or the most matured believers . I know several who adorn society and set a good example to all around , ancl whom I know , moreover , to be as penetrated with a sense of religion as any who may be seen at religious meetings , or are termed the " pillars" of religious denominations . Indeed , to me it almost seems an insult to serious ancl educated men and women like those

who now occupy the stage , or add to the " harmless gaiety of nations , " to doubt their capacity ancl right to be esteemed on a level with any other class of society . Too long have they all suffered from vulgar prejudice ancl perverse fanaticism in this respect , but I hope that the " tide is turning , " and that we shall all gradually learn the duty of being tolerant , and reasonable , and just in regard of those who have every claim to our regard and admiration . Of course , as always happens iu this world , there are

"actors ancl actresses ancl actors and actresses , " ancl " plays and plays , " and " theatres and theatres ; " but unless we are to be " anchorites " or " nuns , " or to " go out of the world " ancl hide ourselves from the noisy seething crowd , not from "love of virtue , but from fear of vice , " we must learn to meet the trials ancl temptations of the world in which we live , and if we only believe that the theatre has no trial for us ( for the most part ) except what we make for ourselves , we shall cease to join in the denunciations of the Rev . Transparent O'Howi , or believe in the tirades of the eloquent and erudite Mr . Tlieoclosius Bune .

When a great number of young people are got together , a very " good thing " is often to be found in "private theatricals , " not only for legitimate ancl improving amusement , but as a very pleasant opportunity of bringing people together . Whether it be what may be called " juxtaposition , " or " mutual sympath y , " or a "concatenation of atoms , " or " undesigned coincidences " of thought ancl taste and temper which such close proximity and continuous intimacy develope ancl display , I know not ; but private theatricals have been found

very useful for "flirtations " and for " matches , " for "lovers' vows , " for long engagements , " and for " happy unions . " Carry , who looks so charmingly in her everyday dress , or her ball costume , that short , well-made , clean-limbed , sunny young woman , is simply irresistible in her powdered hair , two or three patches on her face , and a charming ly loopecl-up dress of George I ., and so Walter finds her , whether for bis good or evil deponent cloth not venture a hint , though , from what he knows