nd the other the
prelate of the sock, for the comic called Thalia, which magistrates had
each L500 a year allowed out of the profits of the theatres; the rest,
except L800 a year to four poets, payable into the Exchequer. A poet
laureate created in one of these theatres by the strategus, receives
a wreath of L500 in gold, paid out of the said profits. But no man
is capable of this creation that had not two parts in three of the
suffrages at the Academy, assembled after six weeks' warning and upon
that occasion.

These things among us are sure enough to be censured, but not know the
nature of a commonwealth; that they are free, and yet to curb the genius
in a lawful recreation to which they are naturally is to tell a tale of
a tub. I have heard the Protestant ministers in France, by men that
were wise and of their own profession, much blamed in that they forbade
dancing, a recreation to which the genius of that air is so inclining
that they lost many who would not lose that: nor do they less than blame
the former determination of rashness, who now gently connive at that
which they had so roughly forbidden. These sports in Oceana are so
governed, that they are pleasing for private diversion, and profitable
to the public: for the theatres soon defrayed their own charge, and
now bring in a good revenue. All this is so far from the detriment
of virtue, that it is to the improvement of it, seeing women that
heretofore made havoc of their honor that they might have their
pleasures are now incapable of their pleasures if they lose their honor.

About the one-and-fortieth year of the commonwealth, the censors,
according to their annual custom, reported the pillar of Nilus, by
which it was found that the people were increased very near one-third.
Whereupon the Council of War was appointed by the Senate to bring in a
state of war, and the treasurers the state of the Treasury. The state of
war, or the pay and charge of an army, was soon after exhibited by the
Council in this account:

THE FIELD PAY OF A PARLIAMENTARY ARMY

The lord strategus, marching L10,000
Polemarches--

General of the horse... 2,000

Lieutenant-general... 2,000

General of the artillery.... 1,000

Commissary-general... 1,000

Major-general.... 1,000

Quartermaster-general... 1,000