Diary, Volume 5 : Diary 1709-1711.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Contributor:

Adam Matthew Digital (Firm), digitiser.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Paris (France).

Great Britain.

Malplaquet (France).

Hertford (England).

London (England).

Religious literature--Authorship.

Religious literature.

Title pages.

Satire.

Speech.

Prayer.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

Marlborough, Wiltshire : Adam Matthew Digital, 2008.

Summary:

The marginal dates within D/EP F33 suggest that the diary was written in daily by Sarah Cowper from 1 July 1709 to 30 June 1711. It is possible that some of the material (such as the title page, index and contents list) was added later, but the majority of the writing appears to have been done between these two dates.

Notes:

AMDigital Reference:D/EP F33

The daily entries in D/EP F33, Cowper's fifth diary volume, are dated from 1 July 1709 to 30 June 1711. Cowper opens the volume with a "seasonable" prayer against sedition and schism in the church and state, foreshadowing the national focus of many following entries. Events that would lead to the Whigs' loss of power, and her son William's resignation of the Great Seal in September 1710 feature prominently in the volume's first half. Cowper notes the Duke of Marlborough's "murdering victory" at Malplaquet in 1709, and frequently returns to the subject of Henry Sacheverell's trial between February and July 1710. After Sacheverell escapes with a sentence that the Whigs regard as absurdly light, Cowper condemns the controversial preacher and his predominantly Tory supporters, claiming, "I have lived to see changes of faction and parties, yet never felt so bitter zeal against any, as these 'Cheverel miscreants; who make me that was a staunch Churchwoman become one of the staggering party" (p.190). Yet as in previous volumes, Cowper's reflections on issues of public concern are mingled with entries about more strictly personal matters. Justifying the inclusion of a story about her own honesty, she asserts, "It is a privilege asserted by Monsieur Montaigne and others of vainglorious memory; that we writers of memoirs may talk of ourselves" (p.59). Accordingly, Cowper writes about various aspects of her life, from giving donations to charity and receiving the sacrament, to participating in the lottery and taking snuff. She also reveals her continuing disappointment over not being able to control her servants, and her frustrations with the failings of old age. The final eighty-three pages of the volume, which are reversed, appear to have been written concurrently with the diary. Here Cowper copies out miscellaneous pieces, many of which address the same national events that she mentions in her own entries. The anonymous poem "The Thanksgiving" (p.9[rev]) seems to have been written in response to Marlborough's costly victory at Malplaquet, and at least six of the works discuss Sacheverell (pp.8, 14, 20-22, 26-27, 54-55, 70[rev]). Cowper also includes two political poems about her son, and a letter written to him by Sidney Godolphin "upon the occasion of [William Cowper's] demission of the Great Seal" (pp.41-42, 53, 56-58[rev]). Although most of the works chosen by Cowper express Whig sentiments, she does copy the Tory poem "Found on the Queen's Toilet". She also includes two contrasting acrostics on Thomas Wharton, one praising him and one reviling him, with the note, "See how the character from parties vary" (pp.10, 63-64[rev]). Cowper does not note her sources, but it seems likely that she collected the political writings both from her own extensive reading of newspapers and magazines, as well as from relatives and friends. In a letter addressed to her from the Duchess of Marlborough, the latter alludes to "A New Ballad to the Tune of Fair Rosamond", and it is possible that Cowper copied the poem from a text given her by the Duchess (Poems on Affairs of State, VII, 306). In addition to political works, Cowper copies a few items of a more general nature, such as the poems "How comes Death so Terrible" and "Advice to Old Age" (pp.24, 42-43[rev]). Cowper also sometimes runs together lines from different works: a poem that she entitles "My Life" is actually an excerpt from a longer work by John Rawlet, with three lines from Shakespeare'sMacbeth appended to it (p.25[rev]). She also copies out her own letter to her grandson, John Cowper, with his reply, as well as noting a prophetic announcement made to her cousin (back flyleafv, pp.[ii-iv][rev]). This final item is not included in the contents list and is likely one of the latest additions to the volume.

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.