1730+-+Gulliver's+Travels

 The London Evening Post was a newspaper that first appeared on December 12, 1727. It was published three times during the week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, where it initially began as a quarto before eventually increasing to a folio size. The paper was first published by Richard Nutt, the likely founder and shareholder, who was known for having a strong anti-government stance as he would use the newspaper to express his discontent and attack the ministry. In the newspaper’s second issue, one of the sections mentions that there is an essay that has been published “for a general regulation of the law, and the more easy and speedy advancement of justice. In which the great corruptions and expenses of law controversies are exposed.” (2) In order to avoid prosecution Nutt would change his name in the publishing with Samuel Neville, who was his apprentice, and later on as John Meres, a fellow printer at the time. These attempts were unsuccessful in Nutt’s attempt to evade the law, however. The Post Office, for example, twice forbid the distribution of the newspaper’s circulation during the excise crisis of 1733, and later on during the general election of 1754 when Nutt was found guilty of seditious libel and sentenced to imprisonment. Due to these problems, Nutt’s printing career was ended by 1760, while the London Evening Post continued to run for another four and a half decades before ending in 1806.  The London Evening Post covered several topics during its run, ranging from Foreign Correspondence (listed here as Foreign Ports), Country News, Entertainment, Obituaries, Editorials, Monetary and Economic Information, Advertisements, and so forth. Over the six month period between January and July of 1730, the passing of several notable people in British society were mentioned regularly in the paper. Among these individuals were the Right Honorable Catherine, Countess of Westmorland, who was the wife of Thomas Earl of Westmorland, first Lord Commissioner for Trade and Plantations; Sir John Rous of Henham Hall; and Richard Kane, who was the Lieutenant Governor of the island Minorca and was nominated to be one of the colonels to assist in transporting Don Carlos into Italy. There was also a mention of the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, a state in the Holy Roman Empire, which the Court was said to plan on mourning for three months due to what they referred to as its death at the time. ** Foreign Correspondence **  Dating back as early as January of 1730, the foreign letters which discuss other territories overseas would often be published in the paper. Letters received from Gibraltar on the 27th of the month describe the situation as being one of tranquility and harmony with the Spaniards during that time. A week later there were more letters which gave advice that the Spaniards were continuing to use their ‘ships of force’, which they called Guarda Costas. Other foreign relations touched upon were the differences between the Kings of Great Britain and Prussia, where the newspaper described a glimmering of hope that there would be an accommodation to sort out these differences between the two. However, out of all the names that would be mentioned in these letters relating to foreign relations, Prince Eugene of Savoy was the one most often discussed.  Prince Eugene of Savoy, a military commander, is first mentioned in the section titled ‘Mail from Holland’ in the early February issue. Here it is mentioned that orders have been sent to hereditary countries to furnish troops designed to march for Italy, and that Prince Savoy is likely expected to go to Italy at some point in the year. These preparations for war are described by the writer as if “we were on the eve of a Rupture.” (3) The following month reported long, frequent conferences that were held at Prince Eugene of Savoy’s regarding the subject of new proposals as well as the affairs of the present juncture, but without any prospect of an plan being found to prevent a ‘Rupture in Italy.’ (4) This worry of war breaking out is further implied in later issues regarding the situation, where the June issue describes the Court is described as willing to enter into a negotiation to amicably be rid of the differences with Italy. ** Theatre Season of 1730 ** Throughout the articles in the London Evening Post there are several mentions of plays and the theatre thriving in popularity with the masses at the time. Many advertisements, in particular, put out notifications for the readership as to what was being acted, by whom as well as when and where. There were venues where the performances would take place, most notably the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane. Shakespeare was popular during this time, often being performed for the public, and one of the earliest examples of his works in theatre at this time is the second part of “Henry IV” being performed at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane by the Grand Master’s Desire. (5) This version of the play is said to include a new prologue and epilogue that is suitable to the occasion, which seemed to be a common trend among Shakespeare’s plays at the time. Another play performed was “The Wife of Bath”, which was described as a comedy that had been revised and altered that was acted at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields. Servants were also known to perform comedies for entertainment, as was the case for the comedy “The Humours of Oxford” when it was performed at the Theatre Royal. In another instance, the Royal Prince of Wales hosted and entertainment to “several persons of quality and distinction” at the Theatre in the Haymarket. (6)  Goodman’s Fields was also a popular spot for plays of the time, where Henry Fielding’s play “The Temple Beau” and “The Fate of Villainy” both held live performances. Another popular location was the Haymarket in Westminster. It was here that “Rape Upon Rape: or, the Justice Caught in His Own Trap” and “Tom Thumb: A Tragedy” were both acted in this area. At one section in the newspaper a tragedy called “Sophonisba”, written by satirist John Marston, was performing to great audience popularity at the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane. Aside from traditional dramatic plays there was also popularity among operas being performed. Both the Lover’s Opera as well as the Reggar’s Opera took place at the Theatre Royal. ** Jonathan Swift and “Gulliver’s Travels” ** Jonathan Swift was a writer and dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin who was born on November 30, 1667. As a writer, he was known for holding a Tory perspective on the political matters of his time. His expression of these views was written about for The Examiner, a tory weekly paper, in thirty-three essays. The purpose for these writings was ‘to assert the principles, and justify the proceedings of the new ministers.’ (8) These viewpoints would later be expressed in his novels, most notably “Gulliver’s Travels”, where Swift’s skepticism toward scientific progress would be satirized through the kind of travel narrative that was common in the 18th century. Certain aspects of writing for The Examiner, in fact, are said to have had an influence on Swift for when he wrote “Gulliver’s Travels” in a section dealing with espionage and secret codes; in particular, the state treason trial in 1723 of Francis Atterbury, who was one of the assistants to Dr. William King at the paper.  Foreshadowing what would be written in "A Modest Proposal", Swift’s meeting with Sir Robert Walpole was unsuccessful as he discussed issues such as Ireland’s constitutional, economic, and educational inequalities under English domination, as well as the abuses of church patronage by English appointees. Pope informed his closest friends of his intention for writing “Gulliver’s Travels,” explaining to Alexander Pope its ‘great foundation of Misanthropy (though not in Timon’s manner.)’ (8) It was because of Pope that the printing of “Gulliver’s Travels” was able to come to fruition, along with assistance from John Gay and Erasmus Lewis. The story’s immense popularity with readers proved true when copies sold out within a week of publication, when Gay wrote that ‘From the highest to the lowest it is universally read, from the Cabinet-council to the Nursery.’ (8) The story serves as a record of Swift’s own experience under Queen Anne as an Irishman, and its satire constantly reflects both specific allusions as well as general types. These various types of satire evident in the story range from Stuart and Georgian court politics as well as people and events in relation to Swift’s personal life. ** Reactions to “Gulliver’s Travels” **  In reaction to the publication of “Gulliver’s Travels”, there were two pieces of documents that seemed to represent polar opposite sides of the views certain people had toward Swift’s story. The first is a poem by Alexander Pope which he drew inspiration from after reading Swift’s work. The title, “The Grateful Address of the Unhappy Houyhnhnms Now in Slavery and Bondage in England,” boldly states a continuation of what Swift’s narrative was saying in the section of Gulliver’s journey with the Houyhnhnms. Although in the story they are depicted as being superior to human beings, or ‘Yahoos’ as they are called, here they have been exposed to the world that Gulliver increasingly criticized as he went farther in his travels. The Houyhnhnms depicted in this poem continue to express disgust toward the Yahoos, who “hid their knowledge of a nobler race / Which own’d, would all their sires and sons disgrace.” (7) This continuation of the style in “Gulliver’s Travels” implies Pope’s positive assessment of Swift’s story, switching the satire originally seen from Gulliver’s narrative to a more serious tone with the captive Houyhnhnms.  On the other side of this situation, an attack on Swift as a result of his recent publication developed in the form of a letter that was anonymously written from a clergyman. Although unknown, the author does claim to have known and conserved with Swift ‘in publick and private Life.’ (1) The writer then asserts that, despite the lewd descriptions, foul language and the intention of innocence on Swift’s behalf, the first three voyages would have been far more ‘agreeable and acceptable to all,’ (1) admitting that there is a great deal of wit and invention to be found in them. Where the writer seems to take objection with Swift’s work is in the fourth part, where, in his words, Swift ‘loses his Vivacity, and in my Opinion, maintains little of his former Spirit, but the Rancour.’ (1) By the end the writer outlines his criticisms against Swift’s views on mankind and human nature in general, when he ends by saying, “Mankind must look upon it a Piece of great Assurance in the Doctor to offer at the private characters of others, when his own has been so very defective.” (1) ** Conclusion ** As a result of reading through several months of periodicals for the London Evening Post, there seems to be many things inherent within the issues that relate, perhaps indirectly, with much of what Jonathan Swift was satirizing in “Gulliver’s Travels.” One link between Swift and Richard Nutt, who published the London Evening Post, was their alliance with the Tories. Imperialism and conflict were two topics that were mentioned frequently in the issues over six months, and the fear that was present at the time as to whether a ‘rapture’ would break out between nations. Tories often viewed such topics as problematic, which was certainly the case for Swift and his distaste for both were made evident through his writing of “Gulliver’s Travels.” In particular, the frequent mentions of the Spaniards, especially with the colonialists living amongst them in peace and tranquility, as well as other colonial territories, shares a similarity with the problems between Ireland and England that Swift was criticizing in “Gulliver’s Travels.” As a result, the historical context of the time period in which Swift was writing helps give a greater understanding into several factors that would not only motivate him, but also others to write satirical stories on situations of their time.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The London Evening Post **

**<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">WORKS CITED ** > <span class="citation" style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"><http://find.galegroup.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/ecco/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=ECCO&userGroupName=umd_um&tabID=T001&docId=CW3311394214&type=multipage&contentSet=ECCOArticles&version=1.0&docLevel=FASCIMILE>. > <span class="citation" style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"><http://find.galegroup.com.proxy-um.researchport.umd.edu/ecco/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=ECCO&userGroupName=umd_um&tabID=T001&docId=CW3324763051&type=multipage&contentSet=ECCOArticles&version=1.0&docLevel=FASCIMILE>.
 * 1) __<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">A letter from a clergyman to his friend, With an Account of the travels of Capt. Lemuel Gulliver: and a Character of the Author. To which is added, The True reasons why a certain doctor was made a Dean. __ <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> London, M.DCC.XXVI. [1726]. __Eighteenth Century Collections Online__. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 11 Dec. 2013
 * 1) **//<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">London Evening Post //** <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (London, England), December 12, 1727 - December 14, 1727; Issue 2.
 * 2) **//<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">London Evening Post //** <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (London, England), February 3, 1730 - February 5, 1730; Issue 337.
 * 3) **//<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">London Evening Post //** <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (London, England), March 26, 1730 - March 28, 1730; Issue 359.
 * 4) **//<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">London Evening Post //** <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (London, England), January 29, 1730 - January 31, 1730; Issue 335.
 * 5) **//<span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">London Evening Post //** <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (London, England), February 5, 1730 - February 7, 1730; Issue 338.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Pope, Alexander. __Poems occasion'd by reading the travels of Captain Lemuel Gulliver, explanatory and commendatory.__ Dublin, 1727. __Eighteenth Century Collections Online__. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 11 Dec. 2013
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Probyn, Clive. “ <span class="headword" style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">Swift, Jonathan <span class="roman" style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';"> (1667–1745) <span style="font-family: 'Cambria','serif';">.” Clive Probyn//Oxford Dictionary of National Biography//. Online ed. Ed. Lawrence Goldman. Oxford: OUP, . 12 Dec. 2013 <http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26833>.