By his favour, all Imitations tho' never so well Counterfeited are not proper for the _Stage_. To present Nature under every Appearance would be an odd undertaking. A Midnight _Cart_, or a _Dunghil_ would be no Ornamental _Scene_. Nastyness, and dirty Conversation are of the same kind. For _Words_ are a Picture to the Ear, as Colours and _Surface_ are to the Eye. Such Discourses are like dilating upon Ulcers, and Leprosies: The more _Natural_, the worse; for the Disgust always rises with the Life of the Description. Offensive Language like offensive Smells, does but make a Man's Senses a burthen, and affords him nothing but Loathing and Aversion. Beastliness in Behaviour, gives a disparaging Idea of Humane Nature, and almost makes us sorry we are of the same Kind. For these reasons 'tis a Maxime in Good Breeding never to shock the Senses, or Imagination. This Rule holds strongest before _Women_, and especially when they come to be entertain'd. The Diversion ought to be suited to the Audience; For nothing pleases which is disproportion'd to Capacity, and Gust. The Rudenesses and broad Jests of Beggars, are just as acceptable to Ladies as their Rags, and Cleanliness. To treat Persons of Condition like the _Mob_, is to degrade their Birth, and affront their Breeding. It levells them with the lowest Education. For the size of a Man's Sense, and Improvement, is discovered by his Pleasures, as much as by any thing else.
But to remove from _Scenes of Decency_, to _Scenes_ of Wit. And here _Mannel_ and _Sancho_, two _pleasant sharp Fellows_, will divert us extreamly.[395] _Mannel_ in the Disguise of a Lady addresses the Dutchess in this manner. _Illustrious Beauty----I must desire to know whether the most purifidiferous Don_ Quixote _of the Manchissima, and his Squireiferous_ Panca, _be in this Company or no_. This is the Ladies speech! Now comes _Sancho_. _Why look you forsooth, without any more Flourishes, the Governour_ Panca _is here, and Don_ Quixotissimo _too; therefore most afflictedissimous Matronissima, speak what you willissimus, for we are all ready to be your Servitorissimus_.[396]
I dare not go on, for fear of overlaying the _Reader_. He may cloy himself at his Leisure. The _Scene_ between the _Taylor_ and _Gardiner_, lies much in the same Latitude of Understanding.[397]