"DON QUIXOTE" AND THE CENSOR. [To THE EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR."] BIB,—In view of the present discussion of the censorship of plays, some of your readers may be interested to recall the very apt opinion given in "Don Quixote." I quote from the English translation of Thomas Shelton, dated 1620, Book IV., chap. 21. The curate is speaking, and the "inconveniences" seem to have been much the same as to-day; that many plays were badly written, and many others were "scandalous to some Families "
"All which Inconveniences might be redress'd, if there were
some understanding and discreet Person ordain'd at the Court, to examine all Comedies before they were acted, and that not only such as were play'd at the Court itself, but also all others that were to be acted throughout Spain, without whose Allowance under his Hand and Seal, the Magistrate of no Town should permit any Comedy to be play'd. By which Means the Players would diligently send their Plays to the Court, and might boldly afterwards act 'ern, and the Composers would with more Care and Study examine their Labours, knowing that they should pass the strict Censure of him that could understand them : And by this Means would good Comedies be written, and the Thing intended by them most easily attain'd to, viz. the Entertainment of the People, the good Opinion of the Spanish Wits, the Profit and Security of the Players, and the saving of the Care that's now employ'd in chastising their Rashness."
Sarolle Club.
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