1735-The+Daily+Courant




 * __ January 30, 1735 __**

Dear Nathan,

I hope that this letter finds you well. I trust that you are enjoying your time on the Grand Tour. How I envy you and all of the beautiful art you are experiencing! You must tell me all about Florence, as I greatly desire to visit there. Unfortunately, Father ran into a bit of financial trouble and has been forced to resort to the life of a highwayman. He has been caught and sentenced to hang at the gallows in a month, and thus mother says I must go and find work to support her and Francis. But do not trouble yourself with my problems, I am writing this letter to inform you on the events that have been going on in London since your departure.

The Daily Courant has had much discussion about the government, and in particular they have been focusing on trying to bring the political parties of our country together. What a preposterous idea! As if you and I would have anything remotely in common with those disgusting Tories… I apologize; mother says I must learn to gain control of my emotions. The paper also claimed that the government has been dealing with corruption and also discussed the dangers of a government that is too powerful, and that a future government might need opposition from the people. I do agree, and I think cousin, you would also agree. An overly powerful government is one that sends upstanding citizens such as father to the gallows. Two days later, there was an article in the paper refuting the previous claims! This article thought that the people of Britain have too much power. Fancy a thought such as that. The government is meant to work for the people! The paper argued that the government should not allow people to act contrary to law, but what if the law is unjust? What avenue of change do we have in that instance?

Just the other day, there was an article in the Daily Courant that discussed what traits the future leaders of our country should exhibit. The piece said that we must find the men who have the best dignity, wisdom and integrity. We must also find men who never deceive, and who are champions for religious and civil rights. These characteristics are what most of the young Whig men embody, and further proof that we are the superior political party!

You will be dismayed to know that the William and Mary yacht, which was transporting Sir Horatio Walpole to Holland, faced very treacherous weather while in the sea. In fact, the conditions were so bad that the pilot was washed overboard. Thankfully, our good whig leader Sir Horatio Walpole was unharmed. Your father is actually going to send a letter to Sir Horatio Walpole in an attempt to pardon father. Hopefully the letter reaches him before father’s demise.

There were two deaths recently, and both of them were quite silly ways to die. The wife of Cole, a carpenter, had too much to drink and accidentally set herself on fire that night. When she woke up in the morning she died. Two youths were also shooting small birds when one of them accidentally shot the other one in the stomach, who later died. Before he died, he declared the innocence of his companion who shot him. Do you remember when you and I went shooting? We should go again when you return from the Grand Tour. On the third Saturday morning of this month, a fire broke out at the two Brewers. You know the ones I am speaking of, the ones on Tooly-street. We broke into one that one Friday evening, I am sure you will remember now. Then on Sunday night, one of Father’s friends made the newspaper! A Highwayman robbed Mr. Knight of Rowhapton in Surry. Have you ever met father’s associate, William Saunders? It was he who robbed Mr. Knight; I know because he showed up at the house to give us some money. Mother refused to accept but he insisted, and before he left he took me outside away from mother and whispered the story of the robbery to me. He is so courageous and skillful. He even said that I might make a good highwayman one day, just like my father. Can you imagine that?

The Queen of Sardinia died, and the Lord Chamberlain has ordered six weeks of mourning to be followed by some government officials. I have no idea who the queen was, or even where Sardinia is. Do you?

Great news for the Whig party has also been released! Lord Viscount Townshend has been named as an Earl. It is always nice to see the government appreciating our party, is it not? Anyways, that is the important news we have had in January. Write soon!

Your cousin and friend,

Matthew Smith


 * __ February 28, 1735 __**

Dear Nathan,

I have yet to hear back from you, but I am sure that you are busy with your studies. I have some outstanding news to share with you; father has been saved from the gallows! The exalted Horatio Walpole heard of my father’s plight, and was able to return last Tuesday evening to have my father spared! Like his father, Sir Robert Walpole, Sir Horatio Walpole is a highly intelligent man, and understands that the Whigs must stick together if we are going to lead Britain to further glory. Speaking of Sir Robert Walpole, this month he bought the Earl of Peterborough’s fine House and Gardens at Parfon’s Green. It is always nice to see our party’s political leaders rewarded for their hard work.

Earlier this month I saw a poem that I believe you would find quite intriguing. The first lines are as follows: “The Prince, who twice forgives a Rebel (Poe), Does, by forgiving, make him doubly fo…” The poem goes on to say that the Prince should not forgive the traitor. Yet the question is why does the prince get to decide the fate of the traitor? And who decides if a man is a traitor or not? My father and his friends are considered to be criminals by some, but I know them as the most honorable men in all of London. It seems as though politics is a dangerous and sticky situation to navigate.

There is a new drink that we must try upon your return. The Squires’ store has created an elixir which gives a warmth and exceeding delight to your senses! While I have not tried it myself, the advertisement in the paper speaks very highly of the drink. I am sure that is what all the rich men are drinking nowadays. I should ask father if he will buy me some. I also recently attended a lecture at St. Bridges, where the Reverend Dr. Bundy spoke. It was very crowded, and it appears he will be giving sermons on every Thursday evening in the future. Glory be to God!

I learned some history today about our past leader Charles the Second. The article believed that Charles could have managed the finances of our country better. The article implied that he would have had a much greater army and naval fleet than the one he had. This was news to me, as I remember very little about Charles the Second. His name is familiar, but as we both know, I have never been a success in the academic field.

There is a new version of Sir Walter Raleigh’s //History of the World// that has been released. I know how much you enjoy his work, so I will try to get you a copy. Of course I do not have the money, but I will do my best to grab one from an unsuspecting vendor. In return, could you bring me something from Venice? I would be greatly appreciative. The William and Mary yacht is once again being prepared to take his Excellency Horatio Walpole to Holland. Hopefully father can stay out of trouble while he is away…

Warmest Regards,

Matthew Smith




 * __ March 31, 1735 __**

My Dear Cousin,

It is great to hear from you! I am glad that you are having such a great time on your Grand Tour. I must ask, how are the women in Italy? I read the romance novel //Love in Excess// last summer when I was bored, and I must say the novel made the Italian women sound quite wild! Is it true that women approach men and express their interest? What a strange concept! These British girls are so stuffy and always afraid to even look in the direction of a man, for fear of being viewed as impure. Do you remember Violet? Oh, how my heart pines for her! But alas, her father does not find me a suitable candidate, given my own father’s recent indiscretions. We have found a way around her father’s strict rules, although he almost caught me in her bedroom the other morning. Luckily I was able to escape through the window right before he entered the room. Anyway, I am speaking of myself too much. Do not forget to write back about the ladies in Italy! So far all you have told me about are your fellow male companions on the trip.

While father has been staying out of trouble, his friend William Saunders has been sent to the gallows for robbing some houses. Father and I went to the sentencing at the Old Bailey, and it was quite a terrible sight. His spirits remained high though, and he even gave father a wink as he was led off. May he rest in peace. There was an article recently in the paper that condemned an author for his thoughts upon the government. The original article found that by maintaining our military during this time of peace was an attack by the Parliament on our constitution. Frankly, I am in agreement with the original article, and can see no other perspective. Our government is militarized, so that if we are ever forced to revolt against leadership, they can easily beat us back down into submission. Yet authors like that of the second article are already cowering in their submissive state, making it harder for the true patriots of this country to make any change.

The other day John and Mary Buckley were arrested on the charges of robbery, but you will never believe who informed on them. The informant was their own nine year old son! Can you believe something like that? Father was absolutely appalled when I told him the news. He told me that if I ever informed on him, he would hang me from the ceiling by my ears! There was also an interesting discussion in the paper about the potential expansion of the British Empire. The author argued that attempting to conquer other nations would lead to our own ruin. Do you remember when we studied Ancient Rome in our history class? Our teacher told us how Rome never stopped conquering, and spread itself too thin over their territories. While we are obviously a vastly superior and intelligent nation, I would hate to see the same thing happen to our country. But what are your thoughts on the matter?

There was an article in the news that how weak the people could be at the hands of government. In fact, the article referenced how helpless a “Nation of Slaves” would be. I find that a silly comparison, since as long as we have the Whig party the people of our society will never be helpless. Also I have seen the slaves around London, and they really are helpless at the hands of their masters. Father says he would like to own some one day, but mother tells me that slavery is a horrible thing. Do they have slaves in other countries? Are they as poor as the ones here in London?

Write Soon!

Matthew Smith




 * __ November 1st, 1735 __** (Document)

Dear Nathan,

I apologize for taking so long to write to you. I have been very busy with school.

There was an interesting poem that came out in October called //Merlin: A Poem.// The title page said that it was written by “A Lady,” but there are rumors that it was written by the author Jane Brereton. The first poem was written to the queen, and it related certain topics like science and math to the great magician, Merlin. Do you remember learning about Merlin? He was around during the time of King Arthur. It seemed as though the poem explains the cultural shift from superstition to science. The lines on page seven say: “And had I known; could I Belief have gain’d, When Ignorance and Superstition reign’d?” The poet seems to be lamenting the progress we have lost due to our lack of scientific understanding. Instead, we placed our faith in magic and the supernatural. The next poem in the book was a very short one that was also addressed to the queen. The poem refers to the guardian of Britain’s fate and says that we should give up our weapons to her commands, and trust that she will find the balance for us. Of course, I vehemently oppose this idea as I know you will also. We do not need the power in the hands of one monarch, we need the power where it belongs; in the hands of the people.

The last poem is titled “On the Buftoes in the Royal Hermitage”. This poem is praising the strength of women, as the author makes reference to a queen, a wife, and a mother. This concept is very foreign to me. While I love mother and adore Violet, they do not seem like figures of strength to me. In fact, they are quite often nagging me about something or the other. I can hear their voices now. “Stop getting into so much trouble!” or “Oh Matthew, when are we going to get married?” I shudder at the sound of their voices in my head. Throughout the book of poems, the author makes many references to Isaac Newton which I can understand, as he is a brilliant mind. Anyway, I saved you a copy of the work and I hope that you will read it on you return!

Sincerely,

Matthew Smith




 * __ December 5th, 1735 __** (Theatre Summary)

Dear Nathan,

I know that you love the theatre, so I have been trying to keep up with the performances this year so that I can keep you updated. //The Beggar’s Opera// was still playing in January. Remember when your father got us tickets to see it seven years ago, when it first came out? And then forced us to leave the theatre, because it was a propaganda against our esteemed friend, Sir Robert Walpole? I cannot wait for that silly play to stop being performed. It has a corrupting influence on the masses.

There have been a lot of plays about husbands in this January. There was //The Fond Husband//, //The Provok’d Husband//, //The Careless Husband//, and //The Tender Husband//. I wonder what is fixation with all these husbands? Is this a theme with women? Violet is continually asking me if we will get married, and I never know what to say to her. Have you seen the //Way of the World//? It premiered many years ago, but I have still been hearing interesting things about it. It seems to have an interesting societal perspective and I think I might like to see it. //Athalia// is being performed in many theatres towards the end of the spring, but I think it would have too much singing for you to enjoy. //The Gamester// has also been a very popular play, and it centers around the life of a gambling man.

The //Conscious Lovers// is being performed a lot, but it was not very good. I could not understand what was happening in the play! There were so many different characters and the plot was so convoluted that I ended up walking out of the play before it was over.

April and May were huge months for the theatre. I could not believe how many performances there were in these two months! The //London Merchant// was being performed in July and it was performed many times during the month.

There have been many plays this year involving rulers. There were plays centering on Julius Caesar, Henry IV, King Richard, and King Henry the Fifth. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark was also a popular play that was being performed towards the end of the year.

Those were the major theatre performances this year. Hopefully you have been seeing some fun plays overseas- with your roommates!

Warmest Regards,

Matthew Smith


 * __ December 31st, 1735 __**

Dear Nathan,

I hope that this letter finds you well. I am currently taking a class on contemporary British Literature and it is very interesting to note how the issues of the past year are coming up in our class discussions. We have been looking at readings from both sides of the political parties. I hate to admit this, but the Tories do have some good ideas about things. They do not have very many good ideas, but more than I had previously thought. Also did you know that we are in the midst of a scientific revolution? I had no idea previously, but my professor believes that we are moving away from ideas of religion and placing more importance on logic and reasoning. Maybe that is what the Merlin poem was discussing. That would really be something would it not? Imagine if you and I were living in the midst of a scientific revolution? Maybe in the future they will call it the enlightenment period. This will be my last letter since I know you are coming home soon. I cannot wait to see you again!

Safe Travels,

Matthew Smith

P.S. I almost forgot to tell you; my professor thinks that highwaymen are bad! She described them as degenerate elitists who have resorted to crime to continue paying for their destructive habits. She also said that the esteemed men of the Walpole family are corrupt government men who bail criminals out of jail. With the way she went on you would think she was John Gay. I told father about her blasphemous comments and he is none too pleased. He said he may have to pay her a visit…




 * __ Works Cited __ **

Brereton, Jane. __Merlin: A Poem. Humbly inscrib’d to Her Majesty. To which is added, The royal hermitage: a poem. Both by a lady__. London, MDCCXXV [1735]. __Eighteenth-Century Collections Online__. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 12 Apr. 2015

// The Daily Courant. // 1 Jan 1735-31 March 1735.

__ The London Stage, 1660-1800: a Calendar of Plays, Entertainments & Afterpieces, __ __ Together With Casts, Box-receipts And Contemporary Comment. __ __ Part 3, Version 1. __ [1st ed.] Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1960196811965.