MR. SAMUEL SMITH AND THE DEBATE ON THE CONDITION OF
THE STAGE.
[To nu EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.")
have read with interest your friendly criticism on the debate on theatrical plays. I quite agree with you that our reliance for improvement must be mainly on moral influences. But nothing aids such a movement more than a wholesome debate in Parliament. It forces the subject on public attention and causes countless articles to be written,—it brings to bear the reserve of moral opinion in the country to modify the light, flippant opinion which largely guides theatrical taste. Yes, law has a useful function, to give a hall-mark to common morality, and the poorer sort of conscience fixes its standard pretty much where public law defines it. Let me call your attention to another great blot on our social life. I refer to the large circulation of demoralising papers—chiefly penny illustrated papers—for children and young persons. Several of these have been sent to me; so lewd and coarse are their character that it is hard to believe their readers can grow up untainted,—they are enough to poison a community. I failed to get on with a Motion dealing with the subject on Tuesday week, but hope to do so before the Session ends.—I am, Sir, &c., 9 Cowley Street, Westminster. SeleuEL SMITH.
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