Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T16:25:35.471Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Letter CLIX

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

Alexander Pettit
Affiliation:
University of North Texas
Get access

Summary

From the same.

The Play, and the low Scenes of Harlequinery after it, described and exposed.

Honoured Madam,

Having, as I told you in my last, seen a Comedy, I was next carried by my Cousin William, and his kind Sisters, to a Tragedy; which was that of Hamlet: And I was greatly moved with the Play, and pleased with the Action. But the low Scenes of Harlequinery that were exhibited afterwards, filled me with high Disgust, insomuch that I could, for their sake, have wished I had not seen the other. I will give you an Account of this dismal Piece of farcical dumb Shew.

We were, then, presented with the most extraordinary Gentleman I ever beheld, who, with the ugliest Face, and most apish Behaviour I ever saw, had the most amazing Success in his Amours, with Ladies whose Appearance deserved a more amiable Gallant.

My Cousin William told me the Name of this Hero was Mr. HARLEQUIN; but as you know Billy has no great Capacity, you will be the less surprised to hear he answered not one Question I asked him to my Satisfaction.

Whom does that Character represent, Cousin?

Harlequin.

Pray, of what Nation is the Gentleman?

France.

What is his Business on the Stage?

To be admired by every Woman who sets Eyes on him.

Why seem they so fond of him?

Because he is Harlequin.

Why is his Face black?

Harlequin's was never of any other Colour.

Who is the Lady with whom he appears to be in the strictest Engagement?

Colombine.

Who is she?

Colombine.

Whence came she, pray, Cousin?

From France.

Is she married, or single?

Mostly married; and at Harlequin's Service in spite of her Husband's Teeth.

Why so?

Because Colombine is to be at his Beck on every Occasion.

For what Reason?

Because they never appear without one another.

Is this Nature?

It is Fashion, and that's as good.

Why don't these worthy Persons favour us with a Song?

They never speak.

How must I understand them?

By the Motion of their Heads, Hands and Heels.

Type
Chapter
Information
Early Works
'Aesop's Fables', 'Letters Written to and for Particular Friends' and Other Works
, pp. 501 - 503
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×