this
rate, for there is nothing so excellent where Abuses may not be
committed, and of which a bad, or good use may not be made. We must
remember this Truth, that all Arts and Sciences, by the Ignorance and
Corruption of Men, ordinarily produce false Arts, and false Sciences;
but these false Arts and false Sciences, are more opposite to what they
Counterfeit than any thing besides; for there is nothing more opposite
to what is good, than what is bad in the same Kind. If that which is
false, engages us to condemn what is true, it has gain'd its point,
that's what it would have, and having thus Triumph'd over Truth, soon
puts its self into its place, than which nothing can be more
Pernicious.

Since _Tragedy_ has no defect, but what is external, it follows from
thence, that 'tis good in its self, and consequently profitable; this
cannot be contested, and those who condemn it, condemn, not only the
most noble Diversion, but the most capable to raise the Courage, and
form the Genius, and the only one, which can refine the Passions, and
touch the most vicious and obdurate Souls. I could give many examples;
but shall content my self with relating the Story of _Alexander_ of[20]
_Pherea_: This barbarous Man, having order'd the _Hecuba_ of _Euripides_
to be Acted before him, found himself so affected, that he went out
before the end of the first Act, saying, _That he was asham'd to be seen
to weep, at the Misfortunes of_ Hecuba _and_ Polyxena, _when he daily
imbrud his Hands in the Blood of his Citizens_; he was affraid that his
Heart should be truly mollify'd, that the Spirit of Tyranny would now
leave the possession of his Breast, and that he should come a private
person out of that Theatre into which he enter'd Master. The Actor who
so sensibly touch'd him, difficultly escaped with his Life, but was
secur'd by some remains of that pity, which was the cause of his Crime.

A very grave Historian, makes reflection much to this purpose, and
which seems to me no indifferent one in Politicks; in speaking of the
People of _Arcadia_, he says, _That their Humanity, sweetness of Temper,
respect for Religion, in a word, the Purity of their Manners, and all
their Virtues proceeded chiefly from the Love they had to Musick, which
by its Melody, corrected those ill Impressions, a thick and unwholesome
Air, joyn'd to a hard, and laborious way of living, made on their Bodies
and Minds._ He says on the contrary, _That the_ Cynethians _fell