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A Defense Against Jeremy Collier's Attacks

[CONGREVE, WILLIAM].

Amendments of Mr. Collier’s False and Imperfect Citations, &c. From the Old Batchelor, Double Dealer, Love for Love, Mourning Bride. By the Author of Those Plays.

Place and Imprint: London: Printed for J. Tonson, 1698.
Edition: First edition, first issue without the advertisement and errata.
Bibliographical References: ESTC R18926; Wing C5844; Lowe, English Theatrical Literature, 298.
Condition: Edges a little rubbed; hinges repaired; very good copy.
Book ID: 29097

Physical Description

8vo, contemporary mottled calf rebacked to style, red leather spine label, gilt decorations and lettering. With half-title.

Comments

A famous response to clergyman Jeremy Collier’s Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage (1698), in which Collier cited aspects of four of Congreve's plays as amoral and representative of the profanity of contemporary English plays in general, and in particular comedies. An example Collier used was Congreve's The Double Dealer: "There are but Four Ladies in this Play, and three of them . . . are whores." Congreve's reply was angry and lacked his playwright's wit, but it did represent his critical view - albeit defensive - view of the English stage at the end of the 17th century.

Price: $950.00