Thus may such representations, in a variety of ways, act upon the moral principle, and make an innovation there, detrimental to his moral character.
Lord Kaimes, in his elements of criticism, has the following observations.
"The licentious court of Charles the second, among its many disorders, engendered a pest, the virulence of which subsists to this day.

The English comedy, copying the manners of the court, became abominably licentious; and continues so with very little softening.

It is there an established rule to deck out the chief characters with every vice in fashion however gross; but as such characters, if viewed in a true light, would be disgustful, care is taken to disguise their deformity under the embellishments of wit, sprightliness and good humour, which, in mixed company makes a capital figure.

It requires not much thought to discover the poisonous influence of such plays.

A young man of figure, emancipated at last from the severity and restraint of a college education, repairs to the capital disposed to every sort of excess.