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"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)
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(1976)
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ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman
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(1976)
ISBN 10: 0812277058
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
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(1976)
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
Published by
University of Pennsylvania Press
(1976)
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A Lost Play and Its Background (Anniversary Collection)
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University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary Collection
(1976)
ISBN 10: 0812277058
ISBN 13: 9780812277050
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Book Description Condition: VeryGood. Former library copy, may have usual markings. Includes clear protective plastic cover on dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 58WRD90001OE_ns
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and It's Background
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background
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Book Description 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
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The Country Gentleman: A "Lost" Play and Its Background by Howard, Sir Robert, Villers Second Duke of Buckingham, George [Hardcover ]
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