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Synopsis
"There was a challenge lately intended for the Duke of Buckingham upon Sir William Coventrys account. . . . The occasion . . .was a new play to be acted on Saturday last called the Country gentleman. . . . But the King hath prevented all; and the play is not acted."—Samuel Pepys, 2 March 1669
This edition makes available for the first time The Country Gentleman, a play written by Sir Robert Howard and the Duke of Buckingham, personally suppressed by King Charles II in 1669. Its vicious personal attack on Sir William Coventry provoked a scandal. Consequently, it was banned before public performance and very naturally never printed. The play was long presumed lost.
Fortunately, Pepys recorded the whole affair in some detail, and his description of the play's central satiric scene with "two tables . . . with a round hole in the middle" made it possible to identify an untitled, undated, anonymous MS in the Folger Library as a complete scribal copy of the play. This find is only the second such recovery of a "lost" Restoration play in the twentieth century.
The Introduction gives a full account of the play's scandalous genesis—a lurid tale of political intrigue, a prevented duel between members of the King's Privy Council, and a fall from high office. For those curious about how literary "discoveries" come about, the editors have added an account of the detective work which began with an odd entry in Annals of English Drama, and led from the Folger Library in Washington to artistocrats' private collections in England.
The play itself is brisk, delicious comedy, featuring pairs of lovers caught up in the intrigues of rivals—all against motifs of city vs. country life and scathing satire of government "business." The Country Gentleman is both timely in its use of the gay-couple love game, and a surprisingly early precursor of the exemplary comedies of the 1690s. Ironically, this cheerful, witty play became the vehicle for satire which shook the whole government of England.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Arthur H. Scouten was Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. Robert D. Hume is Professor of English at Penn State University.
Review
"A surprisingly early precursor of the comedies in the 1690s which import romance and foreign-set tragicomedy conventions into a London comic setting."—Times Literary Supplement
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherUniversity of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection
- Publication date1976
- ISBN 10 0812277058
- ISBN 13 9780812277050
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages176
- EditorScouten Arthur H., Hume Robert D.
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
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Univ of Pennsylvania Pr, U.S.A., 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Hardcover. Condition: USED_GOOD. Reasonable and presentable hardcover book in a full dust jacket. A few chips and rips to the edges of the dustjacket. A bit of foxing to the page edge. Some shelf wear to the covers. Good binding and the text flows clearly. Enjoy this worthwhile hardcover edition. Book. Seller Inventory # 092920151407400
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The Country Gentleman
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[Philadelphia] : University of Pennsylvania Press, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Hardcover. Condition: USED_POOR. No Jacket. "There was a challenge lately intended for the Duke of Buckingham upon Sir William Coventrys account. . . . The occasion . . .was a new play to be acted on Saturday last called the Country gentleman. . . . But the King hath prevented all; and the play is not acted."--Samuel Pepys, 2 March 1669 This edition makes available for the first time The Country Gentleman, a play written by Sir Robert Howard and the Duke of Buckingham, personally suppressed by King Charles II in 1669. Its vicious personal attack on Sir William Coventry provoked a scandal. Consequently, it was banned before public performance and very naturally never printed. The play was long presumed lost. Fortunately, Pepys recorded the whole affair in some detail, and his description of the play's central satiric scene with "two tables . . . with a round hole in the middle" made it possible to identify an untitled, undated, anonymous MS in the Folger Library as a complete scribal copy of the play. This find is only the second such recovery of a "lost" Restoration play in the twentieth century. The Introduction gives a full account of the play's scandalous genesis--a lurid tale of political intrigue, a prevented duel between members of the King's Privy Council, and a fall from high office. For those curious about how literary "discoveries" come about, the editors have added an account of the detective work which began with an odd entry in Annals of English Drama, and led from the Folger Library in Washington to artistocrats' private collections in England. The play itself is brisk, delicious comedy, featuring pairs of lovers caught up in the intrigues of rivals--all against motifs of city vs. country life and scathing satire of government "business." The Country Gentleman is both timely in its use of the gay-couple love game, and a surprisingly early precursor of the exemplary comedies of the 1690s. Ironically, this cheerful, witty play became the vehicle for satire which shook the whole government of England. Due to age and/or environmental conditions, the pages of this book have darkened. The hinges have been meanded preserving the original covers and spine. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item. Book. Seller Inventory # 123725564
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN: A LOST PLAY AND ITS BACKGROUND
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Hard Cover. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. [xii], 163pp Review slip laid in [edge wear to dust jacket] Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 018337
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Seller: Bob's Book Journey, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. This edition makes available for the first time, The Country Gentleman, a play written by Sir Robert Howard and the Duke of Buckingham; personally suppressed by King Charles II in 1669. Edited by Robert Scouten and Robert D. Hume. Tan boards with red lettering on spine, 163 pp., illustrated jacket. Minimal shelf wear, previous owner's embossed seal with date (1983) written in ink on front free endpaper, otherwise very clean throughout, tight binding. Jacket has a tiny tear and chip on the top edge of the rear panel. Seller Inventory # 014058
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The Country Gentleman: A Lost Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
Used
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Seller: Drew, Hutchinson, KS, U.S.A.
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Stock Image
The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Ergodebooks, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: USED_GOOD. Reprint 2016 ed. "There was a challenge lately intended for the Duke of Buckingham upon Sir William Coventrys account. . . . The occasion . . .was a new play to be acted on Saturday last called the Country gentleman. . . . But the King hath prevented all; and the play is not acted."-Samuel Pepys, 2 March 1669This edition makes available for the first time The Country Gentleman, a play written by Sir Robert Howard and the Duke of Buckingham, personally suppressed by King Charles II in 1669. Its vicious personal attack on Sir William Coventry provoked a scandal. Consequently, it was banned before public performance and very naturally never printed. The play was long presumed lost.Fortunately, Pepys recorded the whole affair in some detail, and his description of the play's central satiric scene with "two tables . . . with a round hole in the middle" made it possible to identify an untitled, undated, anonymous MS in the Folger Library as a complete scribal copy of the play. This find is only the second such recovery of a "lost" Restoration play in the twentieth century.The Introduction gives a full account of the play's scandalous genesis-a lurid tale of political intrigue, a prevented duel between members of the King's Privy Council, and a fall from high office. For those curious about how literary "discoveries" come about, the editors have added an account of the detective work which began with an odd entry in Annals of English Drama, and led from the Folger Library in Washington to artistocrats' private collections in England.The play itself is brisk, delicious comedy, featuring pairs of lovers caught up in the intrigues of rivals-all against motifs of city vs. country life and scathing satire of government "business." The Country Gentleman is both timely in its use of the gay-couple love game, and a surprisingly early precursor of the exemplary comedies of the 1690s. Ironically, this cheerful, witty play became the vehicle for satire which shook the whole government of England. Seller Inventory # SONG0812277058
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and It's Background
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University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 1976
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Hard Cover. Condition: USED_VERYGOOD. Dust Jacket Condition: VG++. First Thus. Edited by Arthur H. Scouten and Robert D. Hume; previous owners inscription on ffep.; 163pp. Seller Inventory # 910643
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
Published by
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ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Hardcover. Condition: USED_FINE. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First edition. Light foxing on top page edges, else fine in a fine dustwrapper. Warmly Inscribed by the editor Arthur H. "Joe" Scouten to fellow poet Daniel Hoffman. Seller Inventory # 423573
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