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1710: Succession, Pope and a Dry Theatre Season
To my dearest Cousin Mary,  How long it has been since we last communicated! I apologize for the lack of communication on my part and I promise to fill this letter of all the new things I have read, seen and experienced. Have you read and good papers recently? I began to indulge myself in the London Gazette! This newspaper focuses on London news rather than fully focusing on foreign political affairs. Though, there is enough information on foreign affairs to keep the reader well informed about foreign matters as well as political matters also. This newspaper is so colorful with culture, advertisements and contemporary social gossip. Even the lent preachers who are to preach in front of her majesty, is posted on the front page! Sometimes, the London Gazette does seem like a wild goose chase though. Either some King, prince, Pope or someone of high social status seems to be moving somewhere to establish foreign relations for our majesty. Also, could you keep an eye out for me in the advertisement column? I am seeking a fun fair to go to with my family! You could come along as well, if you would like. A silly proclamation by the queen was published on 18 February 1710. Did you read that one? The queen asks that a “public fast be observed” throughout England, Wales and some other small cities on the “fifteenth day of March so that we may win the war with France.” She also claims that this war is a part of our “religious duty.” If we, as humble servants of God are to be at “war” with one another then I believe it is God’s will. However, if God ever condoned killing, then only our corpses would remain upon this earth. My dear Mary, in all honesty, to me, this is all nonsense. This notion of war out of the succession of Spain is silly. So what if there is unification?! Is that not what God wants? For all of his people to live in harmony? So what if we fear power?! Can we not become strong ourselves? Truthfully, Mary, I believe the queen put out this proclamation in order to take attention away from what had been said in the previous London Gazette- That she may have be with child! This may have been good news, but then I questioned why only there was one sentence in the gazette about her being with child. If her majesty was with child, then there should be revelry and celebration across the world, but to briefly state that, and then move on to another subject seems a bit suspicious. Perhaps there is no child, or the queen may have become bored and had a little fling! This stays only between you and I, understand Mary? How do you feel about this succession, Mary? Did you find it as absurd as I? Or did you believe there is a meaning to this fighting and allying? I know this is old news, but I cannot seem to move on from this. Also, I had been meaning to talk to you about this matter specifically.

Dearest Mary,  Oh how the past haunts me. I woke up from a terrible nightmare that took place during the Spanish succession war. I had a nightmare where right on the street I was living, all the beggars were the soldiers that had gone across the sea to fight. Many of their limbs were falling apart and they just looked like living corpses. I remember reading in the news on 14 March 1710, that there were many dead bodies on the battlefield and how it was due to the lack of material and resources they had over the sea. If only I had a large enough sum of money to build a large inn overseas for the soldiers to reside in during their deployment, think about how many lives would have been saved. Mary, you must always remember this. There is never a winner in a war. There is declaration of a winner, but there is never a winner. War does many things besides causing casualties. War feeds on our labor, our money and our attention. The participating parties at war bring the effects to their home country as well.  In the last letter, I wrote to you how I enjoyed reading the London Gazette. Well, at times like this and the update from the London Gazette, makes me wish I had never read it. The news is so wonderful, yet when it harbors grave news such as casualties of soldiers due to a lack of material, it makes me feel so hopeless. The news does this strange thing where it is a public piece of writing, but yet, it creates these private emotions that the reader can only experience and internalize. What good is the news if it is covered in death? Hopefully, in the near future, the news will become less burdening and a light read again.

Dearest Mary, Have you been reading the London Gazette? I hope you have. The past two letters have been about the news. In this letter, I would like to talk about the theatre season rather than that of political and foreign matters.The theatre seemed to be in a bit of trouble as well. The Pope, sending letters from Rome stated that the “Theatre of Caprinica” that was supposed to be opened there, has been suspended for the time being. This was apparently due to subdue and future disputes it may cause over ownership by the “Ministers and Catholic majesty.” Silly to see that a type of enjoyment and leisure should cause dispute, when rather it should lift all burdens. Due to the war that is taking place, it seems the theatre is not as popular anymore. Nothing particularly new seems to have been produced or played. There was not much advertisement on the theatre as well. Perhaps because of the war, there was no new play. I remembered how I longed to see a play-preferably a comedy that would have lightened the atmosphere at the time.  Though I must comment on the plays that had been playing at the theatre – they are typically patriotic and war-related, such as The Recruiting Officer in 1706, as well as many others. (Smith 50) Perhaps this was to display our patriotism in the war and continue to gain Britain’s support in the war. Oh how cunning of the writers to invade the people’s leisure for political purpose! There seems to be a focus on the war everywhere, even in the Tatler and Spectator! Militia men are being criticized in there. (Smith 50) If I had to compare this theatre season to any season that of the world, it would be a dry summer. Due to the war, there seems to be only a focus on the war and the theatre does not seem as bubbling with social entertainment. However, I do look forward to what may come out in the future. After summer comes Autumn, where reaping of what was sown happens.

Dearest Mary,  What sorts of readings have you been indulging in lately? I have been bored lately, and decided to read Mr. Pope’s writing! At first, I will admit, Mr. Alexander Pope’s appearance had me surprised. I judged his writing by his looks. Apparently, he became that way after drinking some spoilt milk. (Lecture 19 Sep) Be careful what you drink, Mary! Anyway, I have now become a fan of Mr. Alexander Pope’s writings, especially The Rape of the Lock. This poem full of wit in 4 cantos! I hope he adds in another canto, or writes another just like this! He has captured so much detail of the social, political and gender issues. Mr. Pope is a natural celebrity now! He was born 21 May 1688 in London! How odd that that is the same birth date as your mother, my aunt! Sadly though,his writings are often debated over. He is either criticized or praised for his works. Though he is physically disfigured, Pope is mentally brilliant. Another interesting aspect of Pope is that he is in between two religions - Catholic and protestant. Being raised from a catholic background, Pope is surrounded by protestant influences and protestant culture. (Erskine “Pope”)His knowledge of both religions is where Pope draws his writing techniques from. The Rape of the Lock and he is coming out with his new piece of work called The Dunciad. His other writings have a mix of not only cleverly portrayed criticisms through allegory, but a mix of catholic and protestant views also. It is a delight to read! Between you and I, The Rape of the Lock is a guilty pleasure. It is scandalous in an entertaining way. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Dear Mary,  I beg of you to read The Rape of the Lock. I believe you will find it most entertaining and there have been some controversial debate over it. I believe it is a masterpiece and there should not be so much criticism. Mr. Colley Cibber wrote to Pope saying his Rape of the Lock, that he waf, at leaft, fure could do him no harm; but on the contrary he might hope, that fuch a ludicrous Self-accufation might ofoten, or wipe off any fevere Imputation that had lain upon other parts of his Writing, which had not been thought equally Innocent of a real Difaffection. (Cibber 27)

It seems as if Mr. Cibber and Mr. Pope have a very strained relationship. That of a King who is taking care of an ambassador whose country is not on good terms with Britain. Both just have to smile and continue to make secret attacks on one another. While reading this letter, I feel as though I am watching a fight go on in my mind. Mr. Cibber addresses all the wrongs that he claims Pope has done against him, by referring to Mr. Cibber in Pope’s writings. Perhaps all this criticism stems from jealousy of other writers. To be honest, I find what Mr. Pope does in his writing entertaining and critical of other writers in “fun” manners. On the other hand, if I was Mr.Colley Cibber, I would be furious and in flames if I were to have seen the things a critic of mine wrote about in his writing. Mr. Cibber continues to reference this “contempt” Mr. Pope is guilty of. (Cibber 8) I do not believe a little over confidence in a man is as bad as Mr. Cibber makes. Mr. Pope’s contempt may stem from the lack of his physical appearance. In this letter Mr. Cibber also continues to reference Mr. Pope’s works and sneakily tries to praise them in a manner where the praise is disguised as a criticism – much like how he did with The Rape of the Lock. It does sting a bit to read these letters; however, it is like watching a war happen on paper.  Also, I have noticed something interesting in his writing, if I may share with you. Well, I will actually save this for later – after you have read The Rape of the Lock! Until then, I expect you to read it! I will give you a hint thought! It deals with the card game the characters play as well as the Sylphs. Until then, gorge yourself in the clever wit in 4 cantos!

My dearest Mary, <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;"> I am so glad you finally got around to reading The Rape of the Lock! I knew it would be a reading you would indulge in. What was the part that intrigued you the most? How do you feel about Belinda? Can you sympathize yourself with Belinda? I hope you can, because I can definitely sympathize with Belinda, though her character also opened my eyes to my own behavior. I noticed that I do take an abnormally large amount of time pampering myself when going on an outing – only to have men look at me. Men do not realize my thought process or my values. They try to “cut off my lock.” Women’s virtue, what we stand for, all these thoughts come into my head. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;"> Anyway, I told you that I observed some interesting things in Mr. Pope’s The Rape of the Lock. Well, were you able to see what I saw? What I saw was that Mr. Pope may have displayed a little part of the Spanish succession war as well as the political structure in this poem. You may be questioning my analysis, but listen to what I have to say! The sylphs are like the allies in the Spanish succession war. Whenever in a war, allies must rely on each other and protect their counties. Alliances are based off of truth and a contract, that contract can be nullified at any moment when either sides of the alliance betrays the other party or parties. This could be seen through the Sylph’s actions to Belinda. That there was this fear of losing the alliance. I know this sounds a little farfetched, however, the war was not very long ago and Mr. Pope was alive to witness it. His wit for news comes in all forms in his writing. I was also thinking that the Sylph’s were religious excuses for the war, like how I mentioned in one of our previous letters. And when the Sylphs leave Belinda’s side is when the religious excuse for war becomes weak. “If it be faid, That this is no War of Religion, it will eafily be believed not to be fo on our Side.” (A fair 47) I read this article also, debating over the disposition of the Spanish succession. As well as the after math of the succession, almost like a book review. It addresses the aspects of war, where the war seemed victorious, the casualties as well as the state of the country. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;"> The other part which I thought was clever of Mr. Pope to include was the card game, ombre. It seems as if he is mocking the political structure of Britain by having this card game played. “the game in each case being used to comment on high politics.” (Erskine “Pope”) I never tire of the symbolism used to mock our present self in society. Mr. Pope does not only entertain his readers, but feeds the readers mental questions about society, culture, politics and more. My dearest Mary, I hope to hear back from you soon. I enjoy our little talks like this through letters.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Works Cited

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Cibber, Colley. A letter from Mr. Cibber, to Mr. Pope, inquiring into the motives that might induce him in his satyrical works, to be so frequently fond of Mr. Cibber's name. London, MDCCXLII. [1742]. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 9 Dec. 2012

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Erskine-Hill, Howard. “Pope, Alexander (1688–1744).” Howard Erskine-HillOxford Dictionary of National Biography. Ed. H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison. Oxford: OUP, 2004. Online ed. Ed. Lawrence Goldman. Jan. 2008. 8 Dec. 2012

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Pope, Alexander and Rogers, Pat. Alexander Pope: The Major Works including The Rape of the Lock and The Dunciad. Edited by Pat Rogers. Oxford University Press, New York: 1993.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Smith, Hannah. "Politics, Patriotism, And Gender: The Standing Army Debate On The English Stage, Circa 1689-1720." Journal Of British Studies 50.1 (2011): 48-75. Historical Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 8 Dec. 2012.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">A fair view of our present case: or, just and natural reflections on the arguments for making peace, or continuing the war. ... Edinburgh, 1712. Eighteenth Century Collections Online. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 9 Dec. 2012