THE AGE OF QUEEN ANNE
I--IMPORTANCE OF THIS PERIOD
The reign of Queen Anne, the last sovereign of the House of Stuart, is
one of the important epochs in English history. McCarthy says it ranks
with that of Pericles in Greece, of Augustus in Rome, and of Elizabeth
in England. In war, in politics, in the spread of social democracy, and
above all in literature, this was truly a remarkable period.
In order to understand the times several meetings should be given to a
comprehensive view of Europe. The reign of Louis XIV and a sketch of his
court will fill one meeting. One on Spain should follow; a third may
take up Germany, Poland, Austria, and the Holy Roman Empire, and what it
stood for. After these have a fourth presenting the question of the
balance of power in Europe. Discuss the English Pretender in France.
Follow with brief papers on Peter the Great and Charles XII of Sweden.
II--THE QUEEN AND HER COURT
Turning now to England, Queen Anne and her court may be taken up in
detail. Anne lacked the force of the Tudors and the attractive
temperament of the Stuarts. She had neither the brains of her
predecessor, William, nor the Teutonic dullness of the Georges who
followed her; but she was, above all things, distinctly English. She
loved her people; she believed in Protestantism; she was kind,
affectionate and good; she possessed all the domestic virtues. Yet she
was by no means a strong character. Her reign owes nothing of its
brilliance to its queen. In everything she had to be guided, and the
power of the individuals who governed her is one of the curious facts of
the time. One paper may present her home life, with its simplicity.
Contrast the court life of this period with that which had preceded it.
Read selections from "Henry Esmond."
III--THE MARLBOROUGHS
The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough should be the theme of two papers.
The latter had an extraordinary influence upon Anne and dictated her
court policy. Read of the letters they exchanged, signed "Mrs. Morley"
and "Mrs. Freeman." The Duke was a man in whom weakness and strength
united. Have the paper on his character show his self-interest, his
treachery even, and his notorious parsimony; contrast these qualities
with those which redeemed the man. Note his wonderful military genius.
IV--THE WARS AND AFTER
After this will come the subject of the Grand Alliance, which will serve
as an introduction to the great topic of the European wars which
occupied the Continent for years. In studying this use a map at each
meeting, and have papers on Marlborough in Flanders; the campaigns of
the armies in Germany, Bavaria, and the West Indies; the war in Spain;
the persecution of the Huguenots and Camisards and, finally, a
summing-up of the struggle.
The next stages of the war may be divided into the Year of Victory and
the Year of Defeat. If time allows, follow the war to its close.
The next great subject under Queen Anne's reign is that of the
extension of power in England of the two great parties, the Whigs and
Tories. Notice how the ministry changed from time to time, and who its
leaders were. See how Anne, under the influence of a favorite, Mrs.
Masham, gave her support to the Tories, and how this finally led to the
Peace of Utrecht, which concluded the war.
Observe here the alienation which rose between the Duchess of
Marlborough and the Queen, also the disgrace of Marlborough; read his
letter of defense, and have a sketch of his later life. Show pictures of
Blenheim Palace.
Following these events comes the Union of Scotland, Ireland and Wales
with England, a topic full of interest. Discuss the bargain each country
made; what did she lose and what did she gain? What results were brought
about later?
The unpopularity of the Union in Scotland had one direct result, that of
the rising in favor of the Young Pretender. Have a paper on this
romantic episode. Observe how it led to the establishment of the
Protestant Succession.
In closing this period study as many of the great leaders of English
political life as possible, notably Walpole, Bolingbroke and the Earls
of Oxford and Shrewsbury.
V--LITERATURE OF THE TIMES
Turning now from war and politics, there may be a delightful study of
the literature of the time, for the period was one of great intellectual
originality.
Dean Swift, the greatest English satirist, may be taken up first, his
life, his work and his influence. Read from "The Tale of a Tub."
Addison may be studied as a man, a poet, an essayist and a dramatist. It
was, however, as one of the two authors of _The Spectator_ that he was
most remarkable. Writing in collaboration with his friend Steele he gave
his paper a world-wide popularity. Read from "Sir Roger de Coverley" and
from comments upon it from some writers. Note also the founding of _The
Tatler_, and point out the differences between that and _The Spectator_.
Alexander Pope was one of the geniuses of the time. Give a sketch of the
man and his eccentricities. Read from the "Rape of the Lock," the
"Dunciad," and the "Essay on Man"; also from his other poems, and his
translations from Homer.
The life of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu should be discussed, with readings
from her still celebrated "Letters." The work of Daniel Defoe must also
be noticed.
Addison was famous as a dramatist, and his "Cato" was believed at that
time to be the forerunner of a new and brilliant era in the drama; it
was received in London with enthusiasm.
VI--THE BEGINNING OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL
But it was perhaps the rise of the English novel which made the time
most notable. Samuel Richardson wrote "Pamela," the first novel in which
the interest centered exclusively upon the heroine, and followed it with
"Clarissa Harlowe," which was immediately popular all over the
English-speaking world. Both books were intended as moral tales by their
author, whose sympathy with women was genuine and intelligent. The work
done in science by Bishop Berkeley, and that of Sir Isaac Newton, with
an account of the great controversy, should be studied. Take up also the
music of Handel, then living in London, and the art of Wren, who was
completing St. Paul's.
A study of the many famous clubs and coffee houses frequented by the
writers of the day should be made here. There is much of interest in the
life of the times, the duels, the gambling, the coaches and quaint inns
and hostelries.
London itself is a most interesting subject; it was just being rebuilt
after the great fire, and its churches should be especially noted as
they almost wholly conform to the ideas of Wren. Describe the prisons,
especially Newgate and the debtors' prisons.
There is an abundance of material on all these subjects, and many
pictures. The book on coaching suggested below will give many ideas on
vehicles and inns. Chapters in McCarthy's history will be found readable
also. Among other reference books are these:
"Social life in the Reign of Queen Anne." J. Ashton. (Scribner.)
"Queen Anne and Her Court." P. F. Ryan. (Dutton.)
"The Reign of Queen Anne." Justin McCarthy. (Harper.)
"John and Sarah, Duke and Duchess of Marlborough." Stuart J. Reid.
(Scribner.)
"Coaching Days and Coaching Ways." W. Outram Tristram. (Macmillan.)
"Among English Inns." Josephine Tozier. (The Page Company.)