Even in the most luxurious days of old Rome, it may
safely be questioned whether vice could ever afford to disguise itself
to win recruits, except from the wealthier classes of the population.
But in these modern times it may be decidedly asserted as a fact, that
vice, in accomplishing the vast majority of its seductions, uses no
disguise at all; appears impudently in its naked deformity; and,
instead of horrifying all beholders, in accordance with the prediction
of the classical satirist, absolutely attracts a much more numerous
congregation of worshippers than has ever yet been brought together by
the divinest beauties that virtue can display for the allurement of
mankind.
That famous place of public amusement known, a few years since, to the
late-roaming youth of London by the name of the Snuggery, affords,
among hosts of other instances which might be cited, a notable example
to refute the assertion of the ancient poet. The place was principally
devoted to the exhibition of musical talent, and opened at a period of
the night when the performances at the theaters were over. The
orchestral arrangements were comprised in one bad piano, to which were
occasionally added, by way of increasing the attractions, performances
on the banjo and guitar.
Pages:
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287