A clue to the comedy of the Non-juror: With some hints of consequence relating to that play. In a letter to N. Rowe, Esq; ...

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- A CLUE to the COMEDY OF THE NON-JUROR, With some Hints of Consequence relating to that PLAY.

- POSTSCRIPT.

- BOOKS lately Printed for E. CURL.

- Just Publish'd,

A LETTER TO Mr. ROWE Concerning the NON-JUROR.

(Price Six-pence.)

A CLUE To the COMEDY of the Non-Juror.

WITH SOME Hints of Consequence Relating to that PLAY.

IN A LETTER TO N. ROWE, Esq Poet Laureat to His Majesty.

Quo Musa tendis? desine pervicax

Referre Sermones Deorum—

Hor.

LONDON: Printed for E. Curll, in Fleet-street. 1718.

A CLUE to the COMEDY OF THE NON-JUROR, With some Hints of Consequence relating to that PLAY.

Dear Mr. Rowe,

I Entirely agree with you, That there has not of late appear'd in Publick, a more exquisite Piece of Satire, than the Comedy call'd the Non-juror; or that better deserv'd the Distinction that was shown it, not only by your Self, as His Majesty's Laureat, but by all the Loyal Party in general. I also agree with you, that perhaps there never was a Piece of fine Drama-Theological Satire, the true Scope of which has been less understood. I am at a Loss which to admire most, the noble, free Spirit of our Friend the Author; the insensibility of those whom the Satire is really Aim'd at, or the ignorant Rage of those dissaffected Jacobite Wretches who cry out when they are not hurt. You were pleas'd to desire me, when we met last, to put upon Paper the few Hints I dropt to you in Conversation upon this Subject, and which, I doubt not, are sufficient to make any unprejudic'd Rēader of your and my Opinion; namely,

That Dissaffection to the Government is the smallest Immorality which is pointed at by this Play; and which indeed is only introduced to hide a far deeper Design, and far more useful Satire.

In order to set this in it's true Light, I will but barely point at the several Figures of the Comedy, and make some short Remarks upon their Attitudes, without the Ill-manners of naming any particular Person, but leaving the free and impartial Reader to draw his own Inferences. Two general Observations only, are necessary to be premised, because every common Judge is not so sensible of them, as we who have been Writers all our Lives.

The First is, That when we Rebuke our Superiours, the Fable ought to be so coucn'd, as to make the Criminal give Judgment against himself before he is aware: (an Art as ancient at least as the Days of Nathan) But if the Scene of Action be laid in a Subject not only quite foreign, but seemingly opposite to the principal Aim of the Satire, the Address will be still the more refined; because by this Method the Author introduceth Facts and Personages which the guilty will be sure to Condemn; not only from natural Equity, but natural Aversion. Thus, for Example, To engage a Tory to condemn a Piece of Iniquity in the Abstract, one need only lay the Scene among Whigs, and so on the contrary. And Secondly, I would put the Reader in mind that in Fables of this Nature, it is usual to represent whole Parties of Men by single Personages.

This premised, let us observe the principal Figure thar presents it self to our View; I mean Dr. Wolf; whose Character answers to Moliere's Tartuffe, who is known to have represented a certain puritanical Bishop in France.

We next are to take Notice, That Wolf in the Stile of Ecclesiastical Allegory constantly signifies the Presbyterian Party: You know it is thus in the Hind and Panther, and most other Pieces of Controversial Divinity or Poetry. So Dr. Wolf is a Presbyterian.

Dr. Wolf expects for his Services in Betraying the Church, great Ecclesiastical Preferment, (as Sir John expresseth it)
Nonjuror, pag. 18.

an Office for Life, which, on whatsoever Pretence of Misbehaviour, no Civil Government can deprive him of. This is Ironically represented afterwards by the See of Thetford. So, in short, Dr. Wolf is a Bishop.

This Presbyterian Bishop has wrote something about the Case of Schism; and the Colonel tells his Father, That he
pag. 3.

has read enough of him in the Daily Courant. What Bishop has publish'd in the Daily Courant, is lippis et tonsoribus notum.

This Bishop protests great Zeal for the Church, at the same Time that he is betraying it: On which the Colonel tells Sir John, Tho'
pag. 3.

I have always honour'd your Concern for the Church, I little thought it was for a Church that is Establish'd no where. (i. e.) No visible Church.

This Bishop is mark'd with another strong Characteristick, managing a Dispute with Heartly about the Nature of Prayer. That it ought not to be Tedious;
pag. 13.

outward Expression not so absolutely necessary, since Heaven knew the true Intention of the Heart.
pag. 12.

And then he talks of his own Manual of Devotions.

This Bishop also pretends a mighty Regard to tender Consciences. He tell's Heartly, That we
pag. 13.

ought to allure them to what is Good by the gentlest, easiest Means we can, nor give the least colour of Offence to tender Consciences.

The Colonel here urges the Constitution against him, and the force of the Laws; and desires him to explain himself; to which this Bishop Answers
pag. 13

Sir, I shall not explain my Self: But make your best of what I've said—But Power perhaps may change it's Hands, and you e're long as little dare to speak your mind, as I do; viz. That there may come a Time when this Constitution you talk so much of, may be overturned.

Sir John is fully satisfy'd that the Doctor is all this while a
pag. 18.

true stanch Member of the English Catholick Church; mark, that is, such a Church as comprehends all Sects and Parties whatsoever.

But lest these Lines shou'd not be strong enough, the Author gives the finishing Stroke.

This Bishop is at last discover'd to be a Jesuit in Disguise, By whom? By one of his School-Boys in whom he had distilled. some of his Jesuitical Principles And most remarkable it is what the Colonel says on this Occasion. That
pag. 47.

Charles begs he will not insist upon the Discovery, 'till his Circumstances will allow it: Almost in the very Stile of some Letters that passed, upon a parallel Occasion, between a Master of a School, and a Reverend Doctor.

At last Substantial Affadavits are produced, to prove Dr. Wolf to have been Educated a Jesuit; by which (as it is usual in Allegorical Writers) the close Conjunction of a Reverend Prelate and a certain Jesuit, is most injuriously and scandalously insinuated.

So here is a Prelate and a Jesuit and his Gang, got into the Family of Sir John! Let us next see what they are to do there. Why, they contrive the Ruin of his Family, and the disinheriting and expulsion of his Children with so great an Assurance of Success, that the Doctor talks of Sir John in this manner:
pag. 68.

Poor Man! he knows not his own Weakness; he is moulded into any Shape, if you but gently stroke his Humour. I intend to Morrow, to perswade him 'tis for the Interest of our Cause it should be so; and then I have him sure. Poor Sir John indeed!

I must here put you in mind of my second Observation, that by the single Person of Dr. Wolf, without any forced Construction, may be understood a whole Sett or Party of Men. To proceed then,

The Play Opens with a Dispute between Sir John and his Daughter, about the Formality of Christening, and Sir John is at it again, (pag 63) being extremely rejoyced that Heartly is Christ'ned according to the Right Form. There is also mention made of Searching the Register, &c.

Next we see Dr. Wolf insulting Sir John's Son and Daughter; he breaks into the Daughter's Bedchamber before she is quite Up; and when she resents it, he tell's her
pag. 15.

Compose your Transport, Madam: I came by your Father's Desire; for what I have done, Madam, I had your Father's Authority, and shall leave him to answer you. The Daughter replies,
Ibid.

It is false, he gave you no Authority to insult me: What is it you presume upon? your Function! does that exempt you from the Manners of a Gentleman?

At last his foul Behaviour provokes the Son to that degree, that he call's him
pag. 14.

Villain, and Rascal.

Sir John is nettled at this; he tells his Son and Daughter,
pag. 44.

I see your Aim: Your Malice on your own vile Head: To me it but the more endears him: Either submit and ask his Pardon for this Wrong,—or this Instant leave my Sight, my House, my Family for ever.

The Son answers,
pag. 45.

Tho' I would hazard Life to save you from the Ruin he misleads you to, could Die to Reconcile my Duty to your Favour; yet on the Terms that Villain offers, 'tis Merit to refuse it. I Glory in the Disgrace your Errors give me.

In short, Sir John's Attachment to Dr. Wolf was so great, that there appear'd but small Hopes of ever opening Sir John's Eyes: And remarkable is the Lamentation of the Son upon that Occasion;
pag. 16.

What horrid Hands is this poor Family fall'n into? How little is my Father like himself, by Nature Open, Just, and Generous? but this vile Hypocrite drives his weak Passions like the Wind; and I foresee, at last, will dash him on his Ruin.

When Dr. Wolf had wrought up the Passion of Sir John to this degree, as to turn his Children out of Doors; then he interposeth his good Offices, and proposeth a Reconciliation.

I beg the Reader to observe the Terms of it. That his Child should be at the sole Disposal of Dr. Wolf, and do nothing without his Consent.

It must here be observ'd that the Daughter had a Fortune of her own, independent on the Father, upon which she seems to value her Self.
pag. 5.

Have not I 5000l. in my own hands? have not I had the full Swing of my own Airs and humours these four years? Mark the precise time But she is put in mind by the Son, that tho' the Father could not deprive her of her Fortune, he might abridge her Equipage; in these words
Ibid.

however a Father's Consent might have clapt a pair of horses more to your Coach.

But at last he applauds her resolution, and tells her she speaks with the Spirit of a free-born Englishman.

Mark now the modesty of Dr. Wolf; he proposes, as the Lowest and last condition, that she should resign the half of this independent fortune
pag. 54.

Is not two thousand pounds worth two Thousand pounds? Is not half better than nothing?

Observe next, (good Mr. Rowe) how Dr. Wolf endeavours to debauch Lady Woodvill, and make her Subservient to his Villainous designs: This Lady is described as having a great Ascendant over Sir John's Spirit that She keeps no Assemblys; that she had been Poor and Beautiful, while Sir John was Rich and Amourous. This Lady proves honest and trusty; and contributes, in the conclusion, to the discovery of the wicked purposes of Dr. Wolf.

Pray take notice too of a very odd Episode that seem to contribute very little to the main Action. That is Dr. Wolf's endeavouring to Bring Sir John into a Scheme of Church Comprehension; Referring again to his Case of Schism, he tells Sir John that
pag. 25

differences are not so material as some would represent them. Ah! could we be brought to a Temper, a great many seeming Contradictions might be reconciled. I allow this is a Comprehension of a different kind; but I beg leave to remind you and my Readers of my first observation, that the Circumstances of a Fable do not determine the Satire. But you, Sir, who are intimate with Mr. Cibber may examine and know the Truth of this.

Nothing is so plain as the Catastrophe; when Dr. Wolf thought himself sure of his Blow, and had brought Sir John to believe that his
pag. 24.

hot brain'd Son (as he calls him) had a Design to get his Estate; he instantly makes Sir John resolve to repay it in kind by disinheriting him.

But at last, there arises a misfortune from a Corner where the Doctor least suspected it. Some of his own Party, whom he thought inviolably attach'd to his interests, discover his wicked purposes. This Sett of Men is represented by Charles an ingenious Gentleman, a Servant of Sir John's, a man of Business, a good Greek and Latin Scholar &c. This Charles (it seems) highly obliged by the Generous treatment of the Son and enamour'd of the good Qualities of the Daughter, both reveals, and prevents the whole mystery of Iniquity: Upon which Dr. Wolf seeing his project dissappointed vents his Rage upon this honest Gentleman; and attempts his Life.

Lastly, Mr. Cibber (to obviate all possibility of mistaking his meaning) upon the winding up of the whole design, breaks on a sudden into an open discourse of Politicks; talks of embroiling the Nation, and ending Publick disputes and calls upon King George, with abundance more good Morality very well worth observing.

Thus, Sir, according to your desire, I have given a short Sketch of the Fable and Characters of this Play; just enough to enable some person of greater Sagacity to find out who are meant by every particular Personage of the Drama. I am sure I would not presume so much as to guess.

But one Thing I must observe, which I remember we both took particular notice of: It is, that the Author tho' questionless a great master of Stile puts bad English into the mouths of most of his Personages: So that indeed scarce any of e'm talk at all like English Folks; but perpetually make use of an uncorrect, Foreign, Jargon. What his drift is in this I cannot imagine; but the Instances of it are obvious to every Reader; and numerous in every Page.

I am, Dear Mr. Rowe, Your, &c.

POSTSCRIPT.

Part of an EPILOGUE, Written by N. Rowe, Esas;q to a Play call'd, The Cruel Gift: Or, The Royal Resentment; a TRAGEDY.
Printed for E. Curll. Price 1 s.

THE former Part of this EPILOGUE turns upon the Plot of the Play, the latter Part is as follows, viz,

How many Worthy Gentlemen of (late,

Swore to be true to Mother-Church and State;

When their False Hearts were secretly maintaining

You trim King PEPIN at Avignon Reigning?

Shame on the canting Crew of Soul Insurers,

That Tyburn-Tribe of Speech-Making Non-Jurors.

Who in new fangled Terms, old Truths explaining,

Teach honest English-men, damn'd Double Meaning.

The great Loyalty express'd in these Lines, is so apparent, as not to stand in need of the least Comment.

The Conclusion of this Epilogue being the Character of an illustrious PERSONAGE, I re •er the Reader to the Play abovemention'd for the Satisfaction of his Curiosity.

FINIS.

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Title statement

A clue to the comedy of the Non-juror: With some hints of consequence relating to that play. In a letter to N. Rowe, Esq; ...

Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744.

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http://ota.ox.ac.uk/id/3667

ID [isbn10]

1106006666

ID [isbn13]

9781106006660

ID [TCP]

K023017.000

ID [BIBNO]

CW3313180836

ID [ECLL]

0537100200

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— A clue to the comedy of the Non-juror: With some hints of consequence relating to that play. In a letter to N. Rowe, Esq; ..., Pope, Alexander, 1688-1744.. 25,[3]p. ; 8⁰. London :: printed for E. Curll,. 1718.. [Attributed to Alexander Pope.] ['A letter to Mr. Rowe .. ' - With a final leaf of advertisements.] [Catchword p.17: the; p.8, line 6 from bottom: "in the Hind and Panther".] [Reproduction of original from the British Library.] [Griffith, Add.90a] [English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT5525.] [Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).]

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