The poems, plays, and political writings included in this volume
are essential to an understanding of Tobias Smollett and the
literary and social currents of eighteenth-century England. In
introductions to the separate sections of the volume, Byron Gassman
identifies the circumstances that prompted Smollett to undertake
these writings, traces the history of their publication and
reception, and provides extensive explanations of historical and
literary allusions.
The poems in the volume represent Smollett's entire achievement
as a poet. Among the shorter poems are "A New Song," his first
printed work; "The Tears of Scotland," an early expression of his
defiant spirit; and the popular "Ode to Independence," written
during the last decade of his life. Two longer works, "Advice"
(1746) and its sequel, "Reproof" (1747), are satires written in
Popean heroic couplets; they mark the beginnings of Smollett's
attacks on theater managers, corrupt politicians, iniquitous
military leaders, and other well-known personalities of the day. An
appendix to this volume includes five additional poems assigned but
not definitely attributed to Smollett.
"The Reprisal; or The Tars of Old England" and "The Regicide"
are the only extant plays by Smollett. "The Regicide," written when
the author was only eighteen or nineteen, dramatizes the story of
the murder of James I of Scotland. "The Reprisal," a patriotic
comedy performed as an afterpiece at the Theatre Royal, was a
moderate theatrical success.
Smollett's political writings for "The Briton," a weekly journal
he established in 1762 for defending the policies of the Earl of
Bute, mark a particularly painful period in the author's life. A
paper war erupted with the first number, and Smollett and Bute
became the objects of scathing counterattacks, particularly in the
writings of John Wilkes. This volume brings together for the first
time all issues of "The Briton" and also includes a key identifying
the weekly's numerous elliptical references to persons and
places.
General
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