"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.
Arthur H. Scouten was Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania. Robert D. Hume is Professor of English at Penn State University.
"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.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # S20A-03415
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: The Yard Sale Store, Narrowsburg, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: 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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Library House Internet Sales, Grand Rapids, OH, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: 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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 32-0812277058-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: David H. Gerber Books (gerberbooks), Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good+. 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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bob's Book Journey, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Drew, Hutchinson, KS, U.S.A.
Condition: VeryGood. Former library copy, may have usual markings. Includes clear protective plastic cover on dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 58WRD90001OE_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Ergodebooks, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: 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
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Michael J. Toth, Bookseller, ABAA, Springtown, PA, U.S.A.
Hard Cover. Condition: VG++. Dust Jacket Condition: VG++. First Thus. Edited by Arthur H. Scouten and Robert D. Hume; previous owners inscription on ffep.; 163pp. Seller Inventory # 910643
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc. ABAA, Gloucester City, NJ, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: 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
Quantity: 1 available