 fantastic and capricious Behaviour of
the Passions who are the Managers and Directors of this Theatre, (for as to
Reason the Patentee, he is known to be a very idle Fellow, and seldom to exert
himself) may most probably have learned to understand the famous Nil admirari of
Horace, or in the English Phrase, To stare at nothing.
     A single bad Act no more constitutes a Villain in Life, than a single bad
Part on the Stage. The Passions, like the Managers of a Playhouse, often force
Men upon Parts, without consulting their Judgement, and sometimes without any
Regard to their Talents. Thus the Man, as well as the Player, may condemn what
he himself acts; nay, it is common to see Vice sit as awkwardly on some Men, as
the Character of Iago would on the honest Face of Mr. William Mills.
    Upon the whole then, the Man of Candour, and of true Understanding, is never
hasty to condemn. He can censure an Imperfection, or even a Vice, without Rage
against the guilty Party. In a Word, they are the same Folly, the same
Childishness, the same Ill-breeding, and the same Ill-nature, which raise all
the Clamours and Uproars both in Life, and on the Stage. The worst of Men
generally have the Words Rogue and Villain most in their Mouths, as the lowest
of all Wretches are the aptest to cry out low in the Pit.
 

                                   Chapter II

          Containing a Conversation which Mr. Jones had with himself.
 
Jones received his Effects from Mr. Allworthy's early in the Morning, with the
following Answer to his Letter.
 
        Sir,
            »I am commanded by my Uncle to acquaint you, that as he did not
        proceed to those Measures he had taken with you, without the greatest
        Deliberation, and after the fullest Evidence of your Unworthiness, so
        will it be always out of your Power to cause the least Alteration in his
        Resolution. He expresses great Surprize at your Presumption in saying,
        you have resigned all Pretensions to a young Lady, to whom it is
        impossible you should ever have had any, her Birth and Fortune having
        made her so infinitely your superior. Lastly, I am commanded to tell
        you, that the only Instance of your Compliance with my Uncle's
        Inclinations, which he requires, is, your immediately quitting this
        Country. I cannot conclude this without offering you my Advice, as a
        Christian, that you would seriously think of amending your Life; that
        you may be assisted with Grace so to do, will be always the Prayer of
                              Your Humble Servant
,
