162 Matching Annotations
  1. Mar 2021
    1. ſhe remember'd a pale thin perſon of a man who had ſat down betwixt her and her goat about two years before

      This is Tristram Shandy--

    1. THE SNUFF-BOX

      A snuff-box is a small, decorative box fashionable in the eighteenth-century as a device for holding powdered tobbacco, or snuff. The image included here shows a snuff box wrought in tortiseshell and inlaid with gold, held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. Link: Link to image 

  2. Feb 2021
  3. Oct 2020
    1. I think you must let him have his freedom;—you have laid your money out very well; you have received good interest for it all this time, and here is now the principal at last. I know Gustavas has earned you more than an hundred a-year, and he will still save you money, as he will not leave you:—Come, Robert, take the money.' My master then said, he would not be worse than his promise; and, taking the money, told me to go to the secretary at the Register Office, and get my manumissionn0005n0005Formal release from slavery or servitude. Source: Oxford English Dictionary drawn up.

      manumission

    2. Here I disposed of some goods on my own account; the white men buying them with smooth promises and fair words, giving me, however, but very indifferent payment. There was one gentleman particularly who bought a puncheon of rum of me, which gave me a great deal of trouble; and, although I used the interest of my friendly captain, I could not obtain any thing for it; for, being a negro man, I could not oblige him to pay me.

      mercantilism

    3. but the state of a free negro appeared to me now equally so at least, and in some respects even worse, for they live in constant alarm for their liberty; which is but nominal, for they are universally insulted and plundered without the possibility of redress; for such is the equity of the West Indian laws, that no free negro's evidence will be admitted in their courts of justice. In this situation is it surprising that slaves, when mildly treated, should prefer even the misery of slavery to such a mockery of freedom? I was now completely disgusted with the West Indies, and thought I never should be entirely free until I had left them.

      KEY

    4. A white man wanted to marry in the church a free black woman that had land and slaves in Montserrat: but the clergyman told him it was against the law of the place to marry a white and a black in the church. The man then asked to be married on the water, to which the parson consented, and the two lovers went in one boat, and the parson and 243 clerk in another, and thus the ceremony was performed

      interesting

    5. but now that the whole ship's cargo were 79 confined together, it became absolutely pestilentialn014 n014According to the Oxford English Dictionary, relating to epidemic disease. The closeness of the place, and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspirations, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration, from a variety of loathsome smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as I may call it, of their purchasers.

      Avarice as cause of sickness

    6. Are any pains taken to teach them these? Are they treated as men? Does not slavery itself depress the mind, and extinguish all its fire and every noble sentiment? But, above all, what advantages do not a refined people possess over those who are rude and uncultivated. Let the polished and haughty European recollect that his ancestors were once, like the Africans, uncivilized, and even barbarous. Did Nature make them inferior to their sons? and should they too have been made slaves? Every rational mind answers, No.

      KEY

    7. where the inhabitants are bred from a mixture of the first Portuguese discoverers with the natives, and are now become in their complexion, and in the woolly quality of their 42 hair, perfect negroes, retaining however a smattering of the Portuguese language. These instances, and a great many more which might be adduced, while they shew how the complexions of the same persons vary in different climates it is hoped may tend also to remove the prejudice that some conceive against the natives of Africa on account of their colour. Surely the minds of the Spaniards did not change with their complexions!

      not breeding but climate?

    8. When a trader wants slaves, he applies to a chief for them, and tempts him with his wares. It is not extraordinary, if on this occasion he yields to the temptation with as little firmness, and accepts the price of his fellow creatures liberty with as little reluctance as the enlightened merchant. Accordingly he falls on his neighbours, and a desperate battle ensues. If he prevails and takes prisoners, he gratifies his avarice by selling them; but, if his party be vanquished, and he falls into the hands of the enemy, he is put to death: for, as he has been known to foment their quarrels, it is thought dangerous to let him survive, and no ransom can save him, though all other prisoners may be redeemed.

      KEY

    9. They always carry slaves through our land; but the strictest account is exacted of their manner of procuring them before they are suffered to pass. Sometimes indeed we sold slaves to them, but they were only prisoners of war, or such among us as had been convicted of kidnapping, or adultery, and some other crimes, which we esteemed heinous. This practice of kidnapping induces me to think, that, notwithstanding all our strictness, their principal business among us was to trepan our people. I remember too they carried great sacks along with them, which not long after I had an 20 opportunity of fatally seeing applied to that infamous purpose.

      KEY: origination of enslavement

    10. The dress of both sexes is nearly the same. It generally consists of a long piece of calico, or muslin, wrapped loosely round the body, somewhat in the form of a 12 highland plaid.

      Interesting

    11. I offer here the history of neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant. I believe there are a few events in my life, which have not happened to man

      an everyman

  4. Sep 2020
    1. when Yarico, instructed by her Lover, discovered a Vessel on the Coast, to which she made Signals, and in the Night, with the utmost Joy and Satisfaction accompanied him to a Ships-Crew of his Country-Men, bound for Barbadoes. When a Vessel from the Main arrives in that Island, it seems the Planters come down to the Shoar,. where there is an immediate Market of the Indians and other Slaves, as with us of Horses and Oxen.

      "a language of their own" (cf. whiteness of paper, speaking English; also 'love'); Yarico signals the ship, thinking it will take her to England, when in fact it ends in her enslavement.

    2. who had taken particular Care to instill into his Mind an early Love of Gain

      In Coleman's piece, how. does this intersect with Inkle's "principals"?

    3. Hypocrisy is the very Foundation of our Education ; and that an Ability to dissemble our affections, is a professed Part of our Breeding

      Cf feminine conduct manuals of the period

    4. We Lions are none of us Painters, else we could show a hundred Men ruled by Lions

      Who is the victor, who writes the history, the story?

    1. Mennowliv'dforthemfelves.Thefewerehisdo61:rines:then.Sir,.whatwou'dyoufay,ihouldI,infpiteofhabit,precept,education,flyinmyfather'sface,andfpurnhiscouncils

      "My education made me do it"

    2. hisismeretrifling,thetrifleofanunen-*'lighten'dIndian."Hearme,Yarico.Mycoun-trymenandyour'sdifferasmuchinmindsasincom-plexions.Wewerenotborntoliveinwoodsandcaves;"'tismiferytoustobereduc'd"tofeekfubfifttncebjTpurfuingbealb.Wechriftians,girl,huntmoney,athingunknowntoyou.Buthere,'tismoneyv/hichbringsuseafe,plenty,command,power,everything,andofcourfehappinefs.Youarethebartorayattain-ingthisJtherefore'tisneceflaryformygood---andwhichIthinkyouvalue

      Key theme of the play--and conflict

    3. m'^henIwasaboywhatpainshetooktomouldme!~-School'dmefrommorntonightyandHilltheburthenofhisfongwas—Prudence!Prudence^Thomas,andyou'llrife.—-Earlyhetaughtmenumbers;whichhefaid,andhefaidrightly,wou'dgivemeaquickviewoflofsandprofit,"andbaniihfrommymindthofeidleimpulfesof*'paffion,whichmarkyoungthoUghtlefsfpendthrifts;"hismaximsrooted-inm.yheart,andasIgrew—theygrew;tillIwasreckon'djamongourfriends,afteady^fober,folidigoodyoungman;andalltheneighbourscall'dmetheprudentMr;Thomas,Andfhall1nowatoncekickdownthecharadler,whichIhaverais'dfowarily?—Partwithher!"fellher!"thethoughtonceftruckmeinourcabin,asfhelayfleepingbymejbutinher{lumbersfhepaftherarmroundme,murmur'dableilingonmyname^andbrokemymeditations

      What's important to take from this? Cf. meditations 59

    4. Sdeath,v»?hatamIabout?HowhaveIflum-bered"Rouze,rouze,goodThomasInkle1''IsitI—I—whoinLondonlaugh'd.attheycunicersofthetown---andwhenIfav/theirchariots,v/ithfoniefinetempt-inggirlpe'rk'dinthecorner,comefhoppirigtothecity,wou'dcry-.--Ah!—therefitsruin—therefliestheGreenHorn'smoneysthenwonder'dwithrnyfelfhowmencou'dtriHetimeonvv^omenjor,indeed,thinkofanywomenv.'ithoutfortunes.Andnow,forlboth,itreffswithmetoturnromanticpuppy,ai;dgiveupAllforLove.-—Giveup!—-Ohmonilrousfoily—.-thirtythoufandpound

      Cf. his "meditations" p41

    5. rudge.Zounds!youaremightyniceallofafud-den;butI'dhaveyoutoknov/,MadamPatty,thatBlackamoreLadies,asyoucall'em,arefemeoftheveryfew,whofecomplexionsneverrubboff!S'bud,iftheydid,WowsandIfhou'dhavechang'dfacesbythistime—Butrnum;—notav/ordforyourlife.

      Cf. ideas about women and cosmetics (fraudulence)

    6. Amightycivilreceptionyougiveabodytrulyafterafixweeksparting!"Irudge.Gad,you'reright;Iamalittlecuthere,tobefure.[KiJJesher.)Weil,howdoyoudo

      Patty and Trudge had a romance (cf. Narcissa and Inkle)

    7. EnterCampley,MydearFellow![Embracinghi7n—foakeshands.lI'mrejoic'dtofeeyou.Welcome,welcomehere,witliallmyfoul.Camp.Thisreception.SirChriftopher,isbeyondmywarmeftwilhes.UnknowntoyouSirChr.Aye,aye;wefhallbebetteracquaintedbyandby.Well,andhow,eh!Tellme—ButoldMediumandIhavetalk'doveryouraffairahundredtimesaday,everfmceNarcilfaarriv'd.Camp.Youfurprizeme!Areyouthenreallyac-quaintedwiththewholeaffair?

      Mistaken identity: Curry mistakes Campley for Inkle

    8. Anaturalman?*unfeafon'dwithpaffionisasuncommonasadifhof*'hogde-podgewithoutpepper,anddevilifhinfipidtoo,*'oldMedium."-—Foibles,quotha?foiblesarefoilsthatgiveadditionalluftretothegemsofvirtuejyouhavenotfomanyfoilsasI,p

      Medium : Patience :: Curry : Passion

    9. "Itbearsthetraces"ofneitherabadoragoodhanduponit!Zounds,Ihad**ratherbeawalkinglibelonhonefty,thanfitdiowna"blankinthelibraryoftheworld.

      Interesting imagery

    10. havenotIhadthisvieweverfincetheywerechildren?Imuftandwillhaveitfo,Itellyou.Isnotit,asitwere,amarriagemadeabove?TheyyZsa//meet,I'mpofitive

      Arranged marriage

    11. nkle.Intwowordsthen,meetmehereatnoonandwe'llfpeakfurtheronthisfubjedi::andleftyouthinkItriflewithyourbufmefs,hearwhyIwifhthispaufe.ChancethrewmeonmypaiTagetoyourifland,amongafavagepeople,deferted,—defencelefs,—cutofFfrommycompanions,—mylifeatftake\—tothisyoungcrea-tureIowemyprefervation;—fhefoundmelikeadyingboughtornfromitskindredbranches,whichasitdroop'd,ihemoiften'dwithhertears.Plant.Nay,nay,talklikeamanofthisworld.Inkle.Yourpatience.—Andyetyourinterruptiongoestomyprefentfeelings;foronourfailtothisyourifland—thethoughtsoftimemifpent—doubt—fears—orcallitwhatyouwill—havemuchperplex'dme;andasyourfpiresarofe,reflectionsftillrofewiththem;forhere,Sir,liemyinterefts,greatconne6lions,andotherweightymatters,whichnowIneednotmention.—Plant.Butwhichherprefence

      Cf parallelism with Trudge's speech/song

    12. Wehaveahundredfuchcafesjuftafteravoyage;buttheyneverlafl:longonland.It'samazinghowconftantayoungmanisinafhip!Butintv/owords.Willyoudilpofeofher,orno

      Interracial love lasts while in liminal space, but on land, sell her for a slave

    13. Plant.Imeanis£heforourfalcofflaves?OurBlackFairrTrudge.ABlackFair!Ha!ha!ha!Youholditonabrowngreen,Ifuppofe.Plant.She'syourHave,Itakeit?Trudge.Yes;andI'mherhumblefervant,Italceit.Plant.Aye,ay,naturalenoughatlea.—Butathowmuchdoyouvalueher?Trudge.Juftasmuchasfliehasfav'dme—Myownlife.Plant.Pfhaw!youmeantofellher?Trudge.(Staring).Zounds!whatadevilofafel-low!SellWows!—mypoor,dear,dingywife!

    14. Andifyourloveandyourprinciplewereputinthefcales,youdoubtwhichwou'dweighmofi:?

      love and principals; love and interest; how do they weigh?

    15. Promis'dtoone,who,per-haps,mayneveragainbeheardof;andwho,Iamfure,ifheeverappearstoclaimme,willdoitmerelyonthefcoreofintereft—prefs'dtoo,byanother,whohasal-ready,Ifear,toomuchintereftinmyheart—whatcanIdo?WhatplancanIfollow?

      a central conflict in the plot; note play on "interest"

    16. Trudge.Oho\It'stimeIfeetobeginmakingin-tereftwiththechambermaid,{TakesWowikiapart.Inkle.Howwildandbeautiful!Surethere'smagicinher(hape,andihehasrivettedm.etotheplace

      Wowski is overwritten as "the chambermaid"; note the cavern described as an "apartment"

    17. Butyouhavehadaloverortwoinyourtimcjeh,Wowfla?IVovuf.Ohifs,greatmany,Itellyou

      Sexual promiscuity of the indigenous woman; acknowledge that same is case in England, too. Yet, one is overlaid with "culture," this is "nature"

    18. ndforallthis,ifmymafterandifindourwaytoEngland,youfiiallbepartofourtravellingequipage;andwhen1getthere,I'llo-iveyouacoupleofinugroomsonafirftfloor,andvifityoueveryeveningasfoonasIcomefromthecount-inii;-houfe

      mistress?

    19. yar.Whatharmonyinhisvoice!Whatafhape!Howfairhisfl?:intoo!{gazing)Trudge.Thibn:>uflbealadyofquality,byherftaring

      Allusion to The Tempest? What brave new world that has such people in it...

    20. ndbeautifulasanangel.Trudge.And,egad!therefeemstobeanicelittleplumpbitinthecorner;onlyfhe'sanangelofratheradarkerfort.Inkle.

      Yarico an angel; Wowski an "angel of a darker sort"

    21. nobadfpecinienoffavageelegance.Thefeorna-mentswou'dbeworthfomethinginEngland.—Wehavelittletofearhere,Ihope;thiscaveratherbearsthepleafmgfaceofaprofitableadventure

      "savage elegance" and "profitable adventure"--like slave trading, as if people can just be "caught" and taken back to England...

    22. SCENE,JCave^decoratedvjith(kinsofwildheajlsfeathers^t^c.inthe7niddleofthefcene^aludekindofcurtain^bywayofdoortoanapartment.

      Note stage descriptions

    23. ufttoo,whenmyfpeedyunionwithNarciffa,atBarbadoes,wou'dfomuchadvancemyinterefts.

      "Interests" in love/marriage market. Narcissa is a creole, one would assume?

    24. Butvjemerchantlads^tho'thefoewecan'tmaul^Norarepaid,likefineking-fiiips,tofightatacall.WhywepayourfeivcsvJcU^withoutfightingatall,

      Merchant ships vs naval ships (and the concept of the prize)

    25. ANOPERA.II•Med.Arn'tweboundforBarbadoes,partlytotrade,butchieflytocarryhomethedaughterofthego-vernor,SirChriftopherCurry,whohastillnowbeenunderyourfather'scareinThreadneedle-ftreetforpoliteEnglifheducation?Inkle.Granted.Med.Andisn'titdetermin'd,betweentheoldfolks,thatyouaretomarryNarciflaasfoonaswegetthere?Inkle.Afix'tthing.Med.Thenwhatthedevildoyoudoherehuntingoldhairynegroes,whenyououghttobeoglingafinegirlinthefhip?Algebratoo!You'llhaveotherthingstothinkof

      Plot: Inkle is bound for Barbados with Curry's daughter, educated in England; and, to marry Narcissa

    26. Travelling,Uncle,wasalwaysintendedforimprovement,andimprovementisanadvantage;andadvantageisprofit,andprofitisgain.Whichinthetravellingtranflationofatrader,meansthatyoufhou'dgaineveryadvantageofimprovingyourprofit.

      What is Inkle's understanding of travel?

    27. DoyouthinkItravelmerelyformotion?

      Note the class assumptions here; he is a merchant, and does not travel like a lord (i.e., without purpose other than seeing the sights)

    1. Nor envy poor Imoinda's doating blindness, Who thought her Husband kill'd her out of kindness.

      What is the effect of this on our understanding of Oroonoko's actions?

    2. [Takes up the Dagger. Oro. There all the Stings of Death Are shot into my Heart—what shall I do? Imo. This Dagger will instruct you. [Gives it him. Oro. Ha! this Dagger! Like Fate, it points me to the horrid Deed. Imo. Strike, strike it home, and bravely save us both. There is no other Safety,

      How does this differ from Behn's?

    3. So, Mrs. Lucy, I have brought him about agen, I have Chastis'd him, I have made him as supple as a Glove for your wearing, to pull on, or throw off, at your pleasure. Will you ever Rebell again? Will you, Sirrah? But come, come, down on your Marrow Bones, and ask her forgiveness. [Daniel Kneels. Say after me, pray forsooth Wife.

      Daniel as "rebel"?

    4. If she be as handsom as her Picture, I can promise her a Husband. Well. If you like her, when you se• her, I wish nothing so much as to have you marry her your •elf.

      Welldon will become his "cousin" expected on the ship and marry Stanmore

    5. they have the benefit of their bragging, by recommending their abilities to other Women: theirs is a trading Estate, that lives upon credit, and increases by removing it out of one Bank into another. Now poor Wo∣men have not these opportunities: we must keep our stocks Page  51 dead by us; at home, to be ready for a purchase, when it comes, a Husband, let him be never so dear, and be glad of him: or venture our Fortunes abroad on such rotten security, that the principal and interest, nay very often our persons are in dan∣ger.

      What does Welldon mean here?

    6. If we are Slaves, they did not make us Slaves; But bought us in an honest way of trade: As we have done before 'em, bought and sold Many a wretch, and never thought it wrong. They paid our Price for us, and we are now Their Property, a part of their Estate, To manage as they please.

      What do you think of this line of argumentation?

    7. When you put off the hopes of other men, You will rely upon your God-like self: And then you may be sure of liberty.

      Interesting--don't put yourself in another's power, rely on yourself

    8. Go, sneak in Corners; whisper out your Griefs, For fear your Masters hear you: cringe and crouch Under the bloody whip, like beaten Currs, That lick their Wounds, and know no other cure. All, wretches all! you feel their cruelty, As much as I can feel, but dare not groan. For my part, while I have a Life and Tongue, I'll curse the Authors of my Slavery.

      this sounds like Oroonoko's speech in Behn

    9. Why, where most Men's Mistrisses are forc'd to be sometimes, With her Husband, it seems: but I won't lose her so.

      humorous/undercurrent of misogyny

    10. Oro. Bless me indeed! Blan. You start! Oro. O all you Gods! Who govern this great World, and bring about Things strange, and unexpected, can it be?

      Imoinda is Clemene, vice versa-- a white slave

    11. Oroonoko at the head of the Planters, falls upon the Indians with a great shout, beats 'em off.

      he fights for the slaveowners, against the Indians

    12. I mean against her Will. You are in love with her. And we all know what your desires wou'd have: Love stops at nothing but possession.

      rape

    13. There was a Stranger in my Father's Court, Page  24 Valu'd and honour'd much: He was a White, The first I ever saw of your Complexion: He chang'd his gods for ours, and so grew great; Of many Virtues, and so fam'd in Arms, He still commanded all my Father's Wars. I was bred under him. One Fatal Day, The Armies joining, he before me stept, Receiving in his breast a Poyson'd Dart Levell'd at me; He dy'd within my Arms. I've tir'd you already. Blan. Pray go on. Oro. He left an only Daughter, whom he brought An Infant to Angola. When I came Back to the Court, a happy Conqueror; Humanity oblig'd me to condole With this sad Virgin for a Father's Loss, Lost for my safety. I presented her With all the Slaves of Battel to attone Her Father's Ghost. But when I saw her Face, And heard her speak, I offer'd up my self To be the Sacrifice. She bow'd and blush'd; I wonder'd and ador'd. The Sacred Pow'r That had subdu'd me, then inspir'd my Tongue, Inclin'd her Heart; and all our Talk was Love. Blan. Then you were happy. Oro. O! I was too happy. I marry'd her: And though my Countrey's Custom Indulg'd the Privilege of many Wives, I swore my self never to know but her. She grew with Child, and I grew happier still. O my Imoinda! but it cou'd not last. Her fatal Beauty reach'd my Father's Ears: He sent for her to Court, where, cursed Court! No Woman comes, but for his Amorous Use. He raging to possess her, she was forc'd To own her self my Wife. The furious King Started at Incest: But grown desperate, Not daring to enjoy what he desir'd, In mad Revenge, which I cou'd never learn, He Poyson'd her, or sent her far, far off, Far from my hopes ever to see her more.

      How does Imoinda's story differ?

    14. I am rude, and interrupt you. Oro. I am troublesome: But pray give me your Pardon. My swoll'n Heart Bursts out its passage,

      a lover, a hero

    15. When once our Noble Governor arrives, With him you will not need my Interest: He is too generous not to feel your wrongs. But be assurd I will employ my pow'r, And find the means to send you home again.

      riiiiiight

    16. YOU grant I have good reason to suspect All the professions you can make to me. Blan. Indeed you have. Oro. The Dog that sold me did profess as much As you can do.—But yet I know not why,— Whether it is because I'm fall'n so low, And have no more to fear.—That is not it: I am a Slave no longer than I please. 'Tis something nobler.—Being just my self, I am inclining to think others so: 'Tis that prevails upon me to believe you.

      Don't know why credit backerary (trefry/white man)

    17. I have a Rowland for her Oli∣ver, a

      a Roland for an Oliver an effective or appropriate retort or response; tit for tat. archaic The phrase alludes to the evenly matched single combat between Roland, the legendary nephew of Charlemagne, and Oliver, another of Charlemagne's knights (paladins). Neither man was victorious and a strong friendship subsequently developed between them. According to the French medieval epic the Chanson de Roland, Roland was in command of the rearguard of Charlemagne's army when it was ambushed at Roncesvalles (now Roncevaux) in the Pyrenees in 778 ; despite the urging of Oliver that he should blow his horn to summon aid, Roland refused to do so until too late, and they were slain along with the rest of the rearguard. See also: Roland Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

    18. I don't know what Confinement Marriage may be to the Men, but I'm sure the Women have no liberty without it.

      What does Lucy mean here? "I'm sure women have no liberty without marriage"?

    19. But d'you hear? Perhaps she may stand upon her Maidenly Behaviour, and blush, and play the fool, and delay: But don't be answer'd so: What! she is not a Girl at these years: Shew your Authority, and tell her roundly, she must be married immediately. I'll manage my Son, I war∣rant you.—

      How do the. two plots of the play. fit together?

    20. I am a better Christian, I thank you, than to keep it with a Heathen. Oro. You are a Christian, be a Christian still: If you have any God that teaches you To break your Word, I need not curse you more: Page  15 Let him cheat you, as you are false to me. You faithful Followers of my better Fortune! We have been Fellow-Soldiers in the Field; [Embracing his Friends. Now we are Fellow-Slaves. This last farewell. Be sure of one thing that will comfort us, Whatever World we next are thrown upon, Cannot be worse than this. [All Slaves go off, but Oroonoko. Capt. You see what a Bloody Pagan he is, Governor; but I took care that none of his Followers should be in the same Lot with him, for fear they shou'd undertake some desperate action, to the danger of the Colony. Oro. Live still in fear; it is the Villains Curse, And will revenge my Chains: Fear ev'n me, Who have no pow'r to hurt thee. Nature abhors, And drives thee out from the Society And Commerce of Mankind, for Breach of Faith. Men live and prosper but in Mutual Trust, A Confidence of one another's Truth: That thou hast violated. I have done. I know my Fortune, and submit to it.

      Note how O speaks; in verse. WHy?

    21. Black St•ves, Men, Women, and Children, pass across the Stage by two and two; Aboan, and others of Oroonoko's Attendants two and two; Oroonoko last of all in Chains. Luc. Are all these Wretches Slaves? Stan. All sold, they and their Posterity all Slaves. Luc. O miserable Fortune!

      stage directions

    22. Is naturally inquisitive about the Men and Manners of the White Nations. Because I could give him some ac∣count of the other Parts of the World, I grew very much into his favour: In return of so great an Honour, you know I cou'd do no less upon my coming away, than invite him on board me: Never having been in a Ship, he appointed his time, and I prepared my Entertainment: He came the next Evening as privately as he cou'd, with about some Twenty along with him. The Punch went round; and as many of his Attendants as wou'd be dangerous, I sent dead drunk Page  14 on shore; the rest we secur'd: And so you have the Prince Oroonoko.

      Cf. Behn's story--how does O differ in Southerne's?

    23. I have no design, and therefore am not over civil. If she had ever a handsome Daughter to wheedle her out of: Or if I cou'd make any thing of her Booby Son.

      everyone is out for their own benefit

    24. I can marry her; and then I'm sure I have it in my power to chear her.

      She means, if they marry (as man and wife), he will very surely be a cheat to her, b/c she is a woman

    25. Do you but in your Wisdoms vote it fit To yield due Succors to this War of Wit, The Buskin with more grace shall tread the Stage, Love sigh in softer Strains, Heroes less Rage: Satyr shall show a Triple Row of Teeth, And Comedy shall laugh your Fops to death:

      Southerne here is talking about "bad theater" of the day

    26. Virtus recludens immeritis mori Coelum, negatâ tentat iter viâ.

      Virtue, opening heaven to those who do not deserve to die, makes her course by paths untried.

  5. Apr 2020