The usefulness of the stage to religion, and to government [electronic resource] : shewing the advantage of the drama in all nations since its first institution. With an account of the rise and progress of the play-houses that were put Down, and Remarks on all the Dramatick Pieces which have been Published and Played since the late Act of Parliament for Licencing the Stage, with the Reasons that Occasioned it. Also a distinction between the stage and the press, and our present Written Plays and the Drama in its Purity, with Reflections on the Taste of the Times, as to Ballad Operas, Pantomines, Dumb-Shew, Tumbling, Dancing, and Entertainments.