nion? We think of them like the
_Romans_, and live with them like the _Greeks_.

"Nothing so powerfully excites Love in us Men, as the view of those
Limbs of Women's Bodies, which the Establish'd Rules of Modesty bid 'em
keep from our Sight. No wonder then if _Aglaura_, _Caesonia_, _Floria_,
and in general all the Women on our Stages, are so fond of acting in
Men's Cloaths.

"_Caesonia_ is Young, I own it: But then _Caesonia_ has an _African_ Nose,
hollow Eyes, and a _French_ Complexion; so that all the time she acted
in her Sex's Habit, her Conquests never extended further than one of her
Fellow-Players, or a Cast-Poet. Mark the Miracles of Fancy: _Caesonia_
acts a _Boy_'s Part, and _Tallus_, one of the first _Patricians_, falls
desperately in Love with her, and presents her with two Hundred great
_Sesterces_ (a Gentlewoman's Portion) for a Night's Lodging.

"One would imagine our Matrons should be mighty Jealous of their
Husbands Intriguing with Players: But no, they bear it with a Christian
Patience. How is that possible? Why, they Intrigue themselves, either
with _Roscius_ the Tragedian, _Flagillus_, the Comedian, or _Bathillus_,
the Dancer."

Nothing Surprizes me more, than to see Men Laugh so freely at a Comedy,
and yet account it a silly weakness to Weep at a Tragedy. For is it less
natural for a Man's Heart to relent upon a Scene of Pity, than to be
transported with Joy upon one of Mirth and Humour? Or is it only the
alteration of the Features of one's Face that makes us forbear Crying?
But this alteration is undoubtedly as great in an immoderate Laughter,
as in a most desperate Grief; and good Breeding teaches us to avoid the
one as well as the other, before those for whom we have a Respect. Or is
it painful to us to appear tender-hearted and express grief upon a
Fiction? But without quoting great Wits who account it an equal
Weakness, either to weep or laugh out of Measure, can we expect to be
tickled by a Tragical Adventure? And besides, is not Truth as naturally
represented in that as in a Comical one? Therefore as we do not think it
ridiculous to see a whole Audience laugh at a merry jest or humour
acted to the life, but on the contrary we commend the skill both of the
Poet and the Actor; so the great Violence we use upon our selves to
contain our tears, together with the forc'd a-wry smiles with which we
strive to conceal our Concern, do forcibly evince that the natural
effect of a good _Tragedy_ is to