[241] "Miscellaneous Poems and Translations, by several Hands,"
1712.--The second edition appeared in 1714; and in the
title-page are enumerated the poems mentioned in this account,
and Pope's name affixed, as if he were the actual editor--an
idea which Mr. Nichols thought he affected to discountenance.
It is probable that Pope was the editor. We see, by this
account, that he was paid for his contributions.
[242] This was a new edition, published conjointly by Lintot and
Lewis, the Catholic bookseller and early friend of Pope, of
whom, and of the first edition, 1711, I have preserved an
anecdote, p. 280.
[243] The late Isaac Reed, in the Biog. Dramatica, was uncertain
whether Gay was the author of this unacted drama. It is a
satire on the inhuman frolics of the bucks and bloods of
those days, who imitated the savageness of the Indians
whose name they assumed.[244] Why Gay repurchased "The
Mohocks," remains to be discovered. Was it another joint
production with Pope?--The literary co-partnership between
Pope and Gay has never been opened to the curious. It is
probable that Pope was consulted, if not concerned, in
writing "The What d'ye call it?" which, Jacob says in his
"Poetical Register," "exposes several of our eminent
poets." Jacob published while Gay was living, and seems to
allude to this literary co-partnership; for, speaking of
Gay, he says: "that having an inclination to poetry, by the
strength of his own genius, and the _conversation_ of Mr.
Pope, he has made some progress in poetical writings."
This tragi-comical farce of "The Mohocks" is satirically
dedicated to Dennis, "as a _horrid_ and _tremendous_ piece,
formed on the model of his own 'Appius and Virginia.'" This
touch seems to come from the finger of Pope. It is a
mock-tragedy, for the Mohocks themselves rant in blank verse;
a feeble performance, far inferior to its happier predecessor,
"The What d'ye call it?"
[244] The brutal amusements of these "Mohocks," and the helpless
terror of London, is scarcely credible in modern days. Wild
bands of drunken men nightly infested the streets, attacking
and ill-using every passer-by. A favourite pastime was to
surround their victim with drawn swords, pricking him on every
side as he endeavoured to escape. Many persons were maimed and
dangerously wounded. Gay, in his _Trivia_, has noted some of
their more innocent practical jokes; and asks--
"Who has not trembled at the Mohock's name?
Was there a watchman took his hourly rounds,
Safe from their blows or new invented wounds?"
Swift, in his notes to Stella, has expressed his dread, while
in London, of being maimed, or perhaps killed, by them.--ED.
[245] Bought of Mr. George Strahan, bookseller.
[246] For an account of these humorous pieces, see the following
article on "The Royal Society."