NOTES ET DOCUMENTS

SIX LETTERS BY ANDREW MARVELL

Six hitherto unpublished letters by Andrew Marvell, together with a draft of a letter from Sir Henry Thompsom of Marsden and Escrick to the poet, are here printed for the first time. The owners, the Pierpont Morgan Library (no. 1); N. Forbes Adam, Esq. of Escrick (nos. 2, 4, 5, 7) and James Osborn, Esq. of Yale (nos. 3, 6) have most generously given permission for publication. The Escrick letters now on deposit at the Yorkshire East Riding Record Office were first deciphered by N. Higson, Esq. To him and to Herbert Cahoon, Esq. of the Morgan Library, I am much indebted for ready and kindly help. The condition of the letters varies. Those at Beverley have been much damaged by damp. Any uncertainty about reading has been indicated by a query : [?]

Of these letters, only one (no. 1) dated 24 January 1673/4 (that is during
the mayoralty of John Rogers) is addressed to the Corporation of Hull, but
it helps to fill one of the most conspicuous gaps in the series.¹ Marvell asked
his constituents' opinion about a proposed bill that might continue further the
imposition on coals that helped to finance the rebuilding of London (22 Car.
II, c. 11, *Statutes of the Realm*, V. 672). The city fathers promptly sought
to discover local sentiment (H. M. Margoliouth, ed. *Poems and Letters of
Andrew Marvell*, 2nd ed. Oxford, 1952 — hereafter *Letters* — 338-339, where
an entry from the Hull records about this letter is printed). The peace terms
between Great-Britain and the United Provinces referred to were available the
day on which Marvell was writing, to members of both houses, and the
summary, though brief, is correct. (cf. *Lords Journal*, XII, 616-618).

Two other originals of Hull letters have been found since 1952. Dr Curt
Buhler printed from the manuscript at the Morgan Library, a much revised
version of the letter of 29 May 1660 to the Commissioners of Militia (Letters
295, 352; *Notes and Queries*, 11 Oct. 1952, vol. 197, p. 451). The letter of
22 October 1665 (*Letters*, 39-40) is in the Roberts Collection at Haverford
College, Pennsylvania, and differs only in unimportant detail from the printed
version. Perhaps further search in autograph collections, now finding their
way into public repositories, may turn up more of the missing corporation
letters.

The discovery in recent years of further letters to the Thompsons, bringing
the total to fifteen, has served to increase interest in Marvell's friendship with
this family. Margoliouth added two in the second edition of the *Letters* (*Letters*,
332b, c, d; the second is now in the Robert Taylor collection at Princeton).
Two more from American libraries appeared in the *Times Literary Supplement*

1. See Pierre Legouis, *André Marvell* (1928), p. 236, n. 61.

ÉTUDES ANGLAISES, T. XVII, N° 1 (1964)

48

(18 Dec. 1958, 20 March 1959). A letter to Edward (Letters, 321) at Harvard corrects the date to December 28, 1675. To these may be added the five letters below. The Escrick papers do more than provide these letters; they greatly clarify the relationships and activities of the Thompsons. The family was large, with cousins in Hull and London. Marvell was living at the time of his death with Edward Nelthrop, the first cousin of Henry, Edward, and Stephen, all referred to in the correspondence below. Sir Jeremy Smith's son was befriended by the Thompsons as was Marvell's nephew William Pople when he first went to Bordeaux. Perhaps during the frequent intermissions of Charles II's Long Parliament, Marvell did some work for his friends; two references below (nos 3 and 6) seem to support this suggestion.

Sir Henry's draft letter (no. 2) must be dated between 23 July 1673, when Sir Thomas Osborne became Lord Latimer in the English peerage and thus vacated the seat at York, and 10 November in the same year when the election took place. Sir John Reresby and Sir Henry Goodrick were anxious to be candidates but the most persistent of Sir Henry's rivals was Sir John Hewley (referred to by Marvell as "Huly" or "Sir John"), a presbyterian lawyer acquainted with the poet and his friend John Rushworth. James Brooke, whose death is mentioned with a joking suggestion of a rich matrimonial prospect for Marvell,⁶ had been mayor of York in 1661. Sir John Hotham, grandson of the defender of Hull, was connected by marriage with the Thompsons. Dr Robert Witty (fl. 1640-1681) was of course that Hull physician to whom Marvell had written verses. (Poems, 93-4, 242-243; Letters, 347-348).

The York election thus introduced was to occupy much of Marvell's correspondence with the Thompsons. The dispute on the validity of Sir Henry's return to Parliament was not settled, because of short sessions and pressure of parliamentary business, until March 1677. Evidently common friends at first hoped to persuade Hewley not to contest the result. Letter no. 3 below dated 24 October 1674 (for this cf. London Gazette, nos 929-932, whence most probably came the foreign news; and see Sir Winston Churchill's *Marlborough*, I, 112, for that battle—of Enzheim) referred to the election and to Marvell's determination to help, but succeeding letters make it clear that he lacked the courage to argue with Hewley and for this failure he charmingly apologized on 15 December (no. 5). In February (no. 6) he reported that Hewley still hankered for the seat. The full story must be studied in other letters of Marvell's and in many contemporary accounts.

Foreign news occupied an unusually large part of Marvell's letter of October 1674 (no. 3) reflecting not only accounts in the *Gazette* but coffee-house gossip about disaffection at the French court. The Chevalier de Rohan was shortly afterwards executed. William Drummond (c. 1617-1688, first viscount Strathallan), a fervent and lifelong royalist, was imprisoned by Lauderdale 29 September 1674 on the mere suspicion of corresponding with Covenanters. Wine bonds as security for payment of duty were required under both first and second "wine acts" (19-20 Car. II, c. 6 and 22 Car. II, c. 3). Cases arising from disputes over payments would naturally come up in the Exchequer.

2. This jest shows that, as late as 1673, one of Marvell's best friends still thought him to be a bachelor. Now Mary Palmer claimed, after the poet's death, that she had been married to him in 1667. Sir Henry's ignorance of this union tells against her (not wholly discredited) pretention.

ANDREW MARVELL

49

Court at Westminster. The Hull records do not suggest the nature of any particular trouble at this time. "Monsieur Edouart", often used by Marvell for Edward Thompson, was a facetious allusion to his preoccupation with business in Bordeaux and other parts of France. Marvell was pleased by an implied compliment to his own competence in these matters.

The letter that follows (no. 4) may be dated by the reference to prorogation also referred to in a letter to Hull (Letters, 139). The travellers to Holland were reported by other writers, the most detailed being the Venetian envoy. Sir Robert Carre, courtier and brother-in-law of Lord Arlington, was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Lord Berkeley of Stratton had already held office in Ireland. Sir Robert Viner or Vyner, a goldsmith, was Lord Mayor. The accident on 29 October was noticed by Robert Hooke (Diary, ed. Walter Adams and H. W. Robinson, 1935, p. 135) who wrote that Viner "fell backwards form his horse before the King". The "severe" book seems to have been *The Case of the Bankers and their Creditors*, 1674, which, in a postscript, dwelt on the enormity of giving the King bad advice.

On the 15 December (no. 5) Marvell referred contemptuously to the meeting of bishops ostensibly summoned to further the interests of the protestant religion. The unfeeling reference to Father Alexander Burnet, the "Popish Priest", vividly illustrates contemporary intolerance. Eventually Burnet was reprieved and banished. Gilbert Burnet had returned to London in the summer of 1674, apparently protected against Lauderdale's enmity by James Duke of York. The chief justice was Francis North (1637-1685).

In the following February (no. 6) gossip was scant though Marvell was obviously following Viner's attempts to prevent his "Daughter's" (in fact, stepdaughter's) marriage. Colonel Tobias Jenkins of Grimston, Yorkshire, was a common acquaintance. The business that fills the letter and had caused Marvell's anger is not altogether clear. Stephen Thompson, Sir Henry's younger brother, had been knighted in June 1673. Letters about his training in the wine trade at Bordeaux in 1654-5 may be found in the Escrick papers at Beverley. Evidently he, like Edward, was still active in the business. The Stowe papers in the Huntington Library contain a letter from Edward to Sir Richard Temple asking his support for Henry in the York election dispute and referring to a recent stay in Bordeaux. The Steward mentioned is almost certainly Robert, William Pople's partner. In the notarial records at Bordeaux, Pople invariably signs for Steward who probably stayed in London to watch their interests. It was natural for Steward to appeal to Pople's uncle if he felt that the Thompsons were in some way infringing on their preserves. But Marvell obviously resented anything that might mar relations with his friends. The letter suggests, but does not make clear, Marvell's personal connection with the sending of factors to Bordeaux by Sir Stephen.

The last of the Escrick letters (no. 7) makes it clear that Sir Henry did not stay out his first parliamentary session. The visit of French dignitaries to Newmarket provides us with a very shrewd appraisal of Barillon. As Marvell wrote, Essex had been recalled from Ireland and Ormonde was, after a long period of political eclipse, to return to his native land. The comment on the act forbidding the export of Irish Cattle reflects the mercantilist belief that provinces should be prevented from any kind of competition with the ruling

4

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country.³ Lord Wharton, Marvell's friend, patron and correspondent, had been in the Tower since February with other country Lords, imprisoned for attempting to prove that the last long prorogation had dissolved Parliament.

Caroline ROBBINS.

Letter 1. Holograph in the Morgan Library. No cover.

Gentlemen my very worthy friends

Jan : 24. 1673/4

Since my last of Tuesday I have not writ. Or Wednesday certain masters of
shipps complained by Petition to the house that they themselves and Carpenters,
Boatswains Gunners etc had been pressed into his Mtys service. Hereupon
all the irregularityes committed in that kind were largely discoursed. And a
Committee was ordered to consider of the matters of Fact and of law in relation
to pressing; it seeming by the Debate of the House as if the pressing of any
man by constraint were contrary to Law. After this the House ordered that
one or more Bills should be prepared by a Committee named to that purpose
for a new Test to distinguish betwixt Papist and Protestant None to beare
any office civill or military who take not that Test neither to be a member of
either House of Parliament or to come within five miles of the City of London.
And [?] to provide a more speedy way of conviction. Upon Thursday 'twas
ordered the House should turne itself this Saturday into a Committee of the
whole House to consider of the State of the Nation and the Grievances upon
occasion of this war and to report their opinion upon the whole matter.
Yersterday the City of London askd leave to bring in a Bill (because mony was
therby to be chargd upon the People) for paving their Streets, rebuilding
Churches, laying open the Wharfe betwixt the Temple and the Bridge. But it
met with more opposition then is usually found upon the bare asking of Leave.
For it was commonly known that it containd a continuance of 3s per chaldron
upon coale 8 years more after the expiring of the present Act. So that the
House onely appointed a Committee to consider of a Bill such as might be
fit to be tenderd as also for the preventing of New Buildings within the Bills
of Mortality. I should be glad as I writ formerly to receive your opinion and
reasons as to such impositions. Today before the House turnd into Committee
his Mty sent for us up to the House of Lords & spoke the inclosed wch I
hope you can read. Secr. Coventry delivered to the House the Proposalls and
Letter. They offer their whole fleet to strike saile to any English Man of War
in the British Sea, to send Com"s to London to agree all things of Commerce
& Navigation in the Indyes : To perform strictly the articles of Surinam : to
restore the New Netherlands. To pay 800000 Patacons one fourth at the Ratifi-
cation the other three yeare by yeare. All their Allys to be Guarantees for
performance. But for the Fishing they desire no innovation : These things
having been rede in the House, they adjourned to consider of this Speech of
the King's till Munday. I am, Gentlemen etc Your most humble Servt. Andr :
Marvell.

³ A belief already evinced in "The last Instructions to a Painter", (1667), II, 255-6 and 351-2. See also *Letters*, p. 297.

ANDREW MARVELL

51

Letter 2. From Escrick (DDFA 39/26) on deposit at the East Riding Record Office, Beverly. Sir Henry Thompson to Andrew Marvell. Draft.

Dear Sr, I desire to owne and pay yu my humble thanks for yr protection and repeated favors as well as to excuse my barbarous incivilitys in not
Sr I know not whether my attendance upon a little daughter the next day I
parted with you in order to consult her health be an excuse for my incivility
in leaving town without my taking solemne Leave of yu & tht opportunity I
could not retrieve, with great instance. Sr. J. H. being prevailed with to stay
but yt day. I pay you my sincere thanks for your protection & repeated favors
& I humbly beseech you to believe yt with the best understanding I have I
will ever honour you in the acknowledging of them. There was not yt night
in our travels homeward yt wee drunk not yr health, & the journey ended not
without the distate of being overturned the last day 2 myles from Doncaster
before day upon a dangerous banke ye coach was broke to pieces in the fall
Sr Jon Hotham a little bruised his arme and my boy his syde which was
God be thanked all the damage we received. We talke much of a new Parlт &
at York they have several Competitors for their representative. Viz Sir J. R.
& his friend Sir H. G. Sir Thos. Herbert & Mr Br. and myselfe with a
banke for a partner. Old Aldn Brooke is now gone to his grave full of days
& in peace, they say is dead intestate all to the great disappointment of his son
making his widow rich with a great personal Estate if she were worthy of
yu I wish yu had her. I have not yet seen your friend Dr. Witty & having
nothing here that might be of divertisment to you, I hast to be the least
troublesome wishing you as much happiness as your heart can desire & that
I had an occasion to show how much I am & will be your most faithful & most
humble servant H T

Letter 3. From the James Osborn collection. Postmarked Oct. 24. [1674].
Addressed "For Sir Henry Thompson at Escrick to be left with Mr. Edward
Thompson, Merchant at Yorke".

Worthy Sir

Yours of the 13th when I look upon the Date accuses me of too slow an
answer, whereas your great favors need not be heightened by any incivility on
my part. But I will not lose the time I can now take for writing to you in
making any excuses, but such as your own candour will suggest to you; nor
will I attempt impossibly to expresse my thanks for all your courtesyes further
then by assuring you that they exceed the capacity of all my facultyes except
my Memory. And even that must necessarily be defective where neither my
Imagination nor my Understanding can sufficiently comprehend my Obliga-
tion.

I might indeed say that my Will is good however : But what dos that import
where it can not afford myselfe, much lesse you, one Experiment. To be short,
wch I must acknowledge, I perceive that I am yours with all my Soule, but
that it is a very little one. As for Monsieur Turenne, it is said that he has been
reinforced with both the Arrière ban by the Marischal of Crequy and the
squadrons of Genlis from the Prince of Condè : and nevertheless that

52

understanding the Confederates were coming upon him he marchd away beyond
Saverne and has left them Masters of the whole upper Alsatiae. And whether
he will admit a fight with them or suffer them to passe by him nearer into
the French dominions I doe not understand. The taking of Graue is now old
news. And we expect a particular what Magazins doubtlesse great of Provisions
Ammunition and Equipage of warre the Hollanders haue there met with. They
say there were of Canon at lest 5 or 600 and 44, some sixty with the King of
Frances own Arms with the Motto upon them Pour moi Gloire; whereof six
he marchd out with (I mean Monsieur de Chamilly) and 16 he capitulated to
go for Mastrecht, as himselfe for Charleroy. Tis said that Prs William of
Fürstenberg hath been sentenced and executed, his right hand first cut of and
then his Head. I do not believe the rumour that the D. of Holsteyne because
Bournonville fought not well but suffered the Lunenbergers to abide the brunt
of the day, has dueldl or stabbd or shot him. Souches is said to be in disgrace
& out of employment if it rest there. Our English are much offended that no
notice is taken of them on the Records of the Gazette they having been put
upon & performed the hardest service while the French run away and pillaged
their bagages. The best is the complainants will daily diminish : most of the
Officers of Churchils Regiment hauing been killd, and Soldiers proportionably :
and of Littleons Regiment of Horse himselfe slain and but forty men escaped
& the other English had their part. There are strong indevors by us & the
Swedes towards a Peace this Winter And I know not whether we shall have
a mind to spend some of our Treasury in an Army to force the victorious
French to accept of a Peace or whether we shall be able to put the Scotch
upon rebellion and make another good Old Cause of it. Yet I know little more
from Scotland then formerly except that Lieutenant Generall Drummond is
committed to prison and that the City of Edinburg has been writ to to continue
their Magistrates for the next yeare which though expedient is thought extraordinary
and to the prejudice of their Oaths for Election. But I omitted to tell
you that the Plot against the King of France is that which takes up the most
of our curiosity. Some will say that tis nothing but some liberty of speech that
has been used by many on occasion of the publicke pressures and raising of
the Arrière-ban : others that it was no lesse then to have spirited away King
Queen Dolphin & all into Flanders (as Blud attempted the D. of Ormond) and
to have deliuerd up seuerall Towns. However the King is extreme jealous and
sullen and the Prisons full both of Secular and Religious but what is best they
say not one Protestant. The Chevalier de Rohan, a cadet of the House of
Guimenay [i. e. Guéménée] a Papist would haue starvd himselfe but forced
they say to eat against Stomach and in spight of his teeth. Madame de Villars
accused the Marshall of Crequy for one but the King turnd it into Raillery as
was fitting. And moreover the Cardinall de Retz and other persons of great
quality. We shall in a short time see what they will make of it. Sir I will
not faile when Sr John comes to town to make use of what discourse we shall
have together and it shall be the Condition and test of friendship betwixt
me and all others as they are affected to your cause which on my Conscience
no man ever had a clearer and a better. Pray Sr excuse me to Monsieur Edouard
& tell him that those at Hull do not sollicite me about the Wine bonds nor have
I heard how they intend & take it as a Courtship from him to put me into

ANDREW MARVELL

53

discourse of this matter wch he is master of. But certainly Pt not sitting there
are but two ways either to plead as far as it will goe in the Exchequer or
Petition the King in Councill. I am Sir Your most affectionate and humble
servant Andr : Marvell.

Letter 4. From Escrick (DDFA 39/29). Postmarked 10 Nov. [1674]. Seal. Addressed " For Sir Henry Thompson of Escrick to be left with Mr. Edward Thompson, at York ".

Sir,

Although this be a day of Company or businesse emong us Parliament men
yet I the rather break of both, that I may seem more Civill to you, who
doubtesse will not faile us the next Session. This hath been but of one Minute
& we are by Commission prorogued till the 13 of next Aprill. This same
morning parted for Holland the E. of Arlington & wife, E. of Ossory,
L. Latemer & Odyck the Dutch Emb. so Van Beuningen onely left of the 4.
They say they goe onely to see the Prince & Friends at the Hague but prying
rumor will have it toward a Separate Peace between France & Holland, and
bringing over the Prince this Christmasse to marry the Dukes Daughter.
Sweden is sure neare declaring for France under pretence of a Generall Peace.
Sir Robert Carre is really in nomination for L. Lieut. of Ireland unless the
L. Barclay carry it again, having made the match between Madam Querroual's
sister & the E. of Pembrok : though he is not yet in Pickle to consummate
it. The Lord Castleton is in a very faire way to accomplish both his matters
though the Tresurer & L. St. John both pretend their sons to the young one,
but if there be any faith in female flesh my Lord is secure. You know sure
that my Lord Mayors horse threw him in Cheapside before the Great Pageant
of the Goldsmiths shoppe & that the Tresurer & his children were made free
of the Goldsmiths Company before of the City wch Company since treated him
& his family. There is a severe book come out in behalfe of the Bankers or
rather against somebody else. I was pleased today to see Sir Harbottle Grimston
and Mr Powell [?] in the House together. Sir John Huly & I have not yet
had any talk to the purpose. Many of your friends in the House continue so
& remember you.

I am Your most humble Servant Andr. Marvell.

Letter 5. Escrick (DDFA 39/27). Postmarked Dec. 15. [1674] Addressed " For Mr. Edward Thompson, Merchant, Yorke ". Seal. Much damaged by damp.

To begin at the worst end you wonder doubtless to see Sr J. H. at home
before you heare from me. The truth is after a great deale of insignificance we
are parted as we met, Each of us I think being too modest to be the aggressor.

I know not what to say but desire you or yours when I request anything
of them to do it as ineffectually. Toby Jenkins I heare is come to Town. I dare
not entreat you to excuse me to Sr Henry. Time will wear out offences that
are not malicious especialy with one of his candor. L. Arlington not yet arrived

54

& the Bishops haue not yet calved. The Popish Priest condemned last week to be hangd drawn & quartered. Tis the most criticall thing since this Kings reigne whether he shall be executed or not. Few days will tell us. Sunday was senight an 100 Coaches at Covent Garden to heare Burnet all in affront to Lauderdale because he had bin banisht by his procurment 20 miles from London; but soon altered only to banishment from Court as that will too, for Burnet keeps in with the Duke. You know our L. Chief Justice is not 37 years olde [?]

Dear Sir, make my peace as well as you can & injoine me any penance.
Andr. Marvell.

Letter 6. From the James Osborn Collection at Yale. " For Sr. Henry Thompson at Escrick. To be left with Mr. Edward Thompson, Marchant at Yorke. " Postmark FE/4.

Your most humble servant (sic)

Febr : 4, 1674/5.

Sir,

I begin this Letter in as much Choler as I can retaine against a friend who
with no ill intention hath disobliged me. For meeting Mr Steward to day
accidentally in the Hall, he told me among other discourse, that you hauing
writ to Mr Thompson, as you did to me, concerning your businesse, he
demanded as in Exchange from you in my name among others & that should
rectify I know not what of Sr Stevens hauing sent a particular Factor of his
own to Bourdeaux. If I had in the lest known of the Letter or could I see what
was writ so that I could forme a true judgement of it, I might be much more
at ease then this imperfect relation hath left me. But till then I am heartily
troubled and offended at it. Let them use their own names on Conscience when
they thinke expedient. But 'tis strange that any friend how confident soever
should take mine so at all adventures. What haue I to do with Sr Steven, or,
(if I may speak it with respect) what haue you but that he may send whom
he pleases, when and where he will about his occasions? But that which vexes
me in it most exactly, is that I should be supposed to barter thus with you and
deale so meanly upon conditions with one to whom I am so farre engaged. And
I wish I did but know the date of that Letter : for I am persuaded it must
be too at such a time that any man of lesse Candor then you might reasonably
guesse my last to you was calculated to come in conjunction with it. Whereas
I do utterly abrenounce not onely any knowledge of any such writing or
intention of his, but avow also that I never heard any discourse or could
speake the lest word of that businesse which I conjure you to believe me.
Yet I tooke no notice to Steward, neither need you to Mr Thompson that
I tooke it ill : all that I haue said being onely to set myselfe right with
you. And supposing that, I shall as to the Subject of your last Letter assure
you that all is and shall be done wch lyes within my true capacity, not that
which your friendship too favorably imagines. Col. Jenkins tells me Sr John
to be here the beginning of Easter Terme. So that it seems he still hankers.
Would I were as sure out as you will be in. The Proclam red and past in

ANDREW MARVELL

55

Councill at ten last night but I heare the whitebanded Lords got it restrained
only to Papists. We shall see. Shaftesbury expected to night. Viner has stood
out his Pluries for his Daughter. Judgment will be giuen in Barnardistons case
next Saturday. Your humble Servt. Andr. Marvell.

Letter 7. From Escrick (DDFA 39/29). Postmarked Ap/25. [1677]. Part of a seal. Addressed " For Sir Henry Thompson at Escrick to be left with the Postmaster at Yorke ".

your humble Servt Andr : Marvell

Apr : 25. 1677

Sir,

Although we that stayed out the Parliaments rising are somewhat insolent
over you that departed yet in hopes that you are not incorrigible for the future
and that you are penitent for what is past I can graciously condescend to give
you a Letter. And tell you that the Monsieurs are come over and gone to
Newmarket. The Duke of Bouillon, the Duke of Crequy, the Archbishop of
Rheims first Duc and Pair of France being son to Tellier and brother to
Louvoy. The Prince of Monaco, the Count of Soissons, and Monsieur Barillon
a Counsellor of Parliament with the best head among them and who had been
much employ'd in foraine negociations. Many persons besides of quality! What
their Message is it is methinks not uneasy to guess though difficult to know.
The Duke of Ormond certainly to goe L. Lieutenant of Ireland and there is
already a revocatory Letter sent to the Earle of Essex : although the Treasurer
indevor'd the Duke of Munmouth. And tis said that D. Lauderdale is going
for Scotland. So that the three Kingdoms are like to be in good hands. The
L. Wharton petitioned the Lords Sp. & Templ the last day not acknowledging
a fault but their displeasure & alleging affairs and indisposition : Twas by
them referred to the King. He hath given him liberty till the 21 May : But
the other three sent a Petition to the King alone at Newmarket masculine but
civill of which yet no answer. All present discourses agree that the Parlt sits
on this 21 May and that there will speedily be a Proclamacon. So that you
ought yourselfe to set your House in order and advise all your Neighbours
unlesse you will lose the thanks of furnishing more mony or increase the danger
of the Irish Catell returning which Bill would be an acceptable Present for the
D. of Ormond to carry along wth him to his Country. There is a Comet hath
appeared these 10 nights and still. The 21 May at 10 in the morning the Sun
is Eclypsed.

NOUVELLES SOURCES FRANÇAISES
DE THACKERAY

La recherche des sources d'une œuvre littéraire est un domaine fertile en surprises et en déconvenues. Elle exige, pour réussir, beaucoup de méthode, de minutie et de persévérance dans la documentation, un certain "flair" et... un minimum de chance. Dans le cas d'une œuvre comme celle de Thackeray ces qualités prennent une importance primordiale en raison d'abord du nombre même de ses emprunts. On sait combien l'imagination thackerayenne était limitée, surtout en matière d'intrigue. Ce fait rendait presque nécessaire le recours à des données extérieures qu'il emprunta tout naturellement aux œuvres et aux pays avec lesquels il fut en contact pendant sa période de formation littéraire : l'Allemagne et surtout la France. Mais ce qui complique la recherche des sources de l'œuvre de Thackeray — bien plus que leur nombre — c'est la manière ambiguë dont il reconnaît ses emprunts. Sans doute nous donne-t-il bien souvent la source exacte de tel ou tel récit soit dans l'une de ses lettres, soit dans une note en bas de page. L'exemple le plus connu, à cet égard, est l'épisode de "Marie Ancel" qui figure dans le *Paris Sketch Book*; Thackeray déclare dans une note que le récit repose sur une nouvelle de Charles Nodier parue dans la *Revue de Paris*, et il a en effet suivi le texte français de très près. Mais ces reconnaissances de dette se caractérisent parfois par un ton de persiflage qui peut faire douter un lecteur non averti de leur authenticité. C'est ainsi que *The Legend of the Rhine* (1845) nous est présentée en ces termes désinvoltes : "I read it in an old old book... 'Twas written in the French language by the noble Alexandre Dumas; but 'tis probable he stole it from some other, and that the other has filched it from a former tale-teller." On pourrait croire à lire ces lignes que l'auteur s'amuse à nous lancer sur une fausse piste. Et pourtant *The Legend of the Rhine* est bien tirée du récit de Dumas intitulé *Othon l'Archer*, seulement il s'agit d'une parodie, fort amusante du reste. Quant à l' "old old book" il venait de paraitre quatre ans auparavant!

Ailleurs il arrive que Thackeray brouille les pistes comme à plaisir en utilisant pour désigner l'œuvre d'emprunt un titre que rien ne semble justifier. Ainsi le lecteur qui aborde son *Ravenswing* peut lire en bas de page la note suivante : "A French *proverbe* furnished the author with the notion of the rivalry between the barber and the tailor." Un chercheur allemand, le Dr Erwin Walter ¹, a bien découvert une rivalité amoureuse très semblable dans une nouvelle de Charles de Bernard : *La Chasse aux amants* (1841). Mais, de l'avis d'Erwin Walter lui-même, on ne voit pas pourquoi l'original français

1. Cf. *Entstehungsgeschichte von W. M. Thackerays Vanity Fair*, Berlin, 1908.