In this way malediction formed part of the manners of the time.

How could these be depicted upon the stage in the face of Mr.Colman's new ordinance?
There was great consternation among actors and authors.

Plays came back from the Examiner's office so slashed with red ink that they seemed to be bleeding from numerous wounds; line after line had been prohibited; and by Colman of all people! Critics amused themselves by searching through his own dramatic writings, and cataloguing the bad language they contained.

The list was very formidable.

There were comminations and anathemas in almost every scene.