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**A Cousin** · 25-09-2010, 01:05 PM

(25-09-2010 11:08 AM)JHyde Wrote: I'm totally fascinated by this. It could also be what Jung terms crytonesia, accidental plagiarism, but for now I'm going to contact a friend who knows more about Franklin than I do.

Whoever wrote it, it's still a magnificent piece of writing. I can't have been the first to stumble upon this though.

You're not. It is a direct quote but on purpose.

The inclusion of a poem by Pope, much less anybody else, in Poor Richards Almanac, is not unusual. The Alamanac was a satirical amalgamation from many different sources only ostensibly written by Franklin's alter ego "Poor Richard." Pope was the most famous poet in the English speaking world. Ode on Solitude was his most famous poem. Franklin and everyone who could read (not many at that time) would have known that "Poor Richard" didn't really write it. If they didn't, well, that was kind of the point of The Alamanac to amuse and to satire sometimes in a politically incendiary way. I might add that there were no copyright laws at the time that I am aware of.

What I don't know is whether Franklin included it because he agreed or disagreed with Pope in general. Four years earlier, Pope had written The Dunciad which pissed a lot of people off at the time. It was a literary satire of the decay, stupidity and tastelessness of the British population of the time. At that point in his life, Franklin was a staunch British Loyalist. He would certainly had been aware of The Dunciad.

**JHyde** · (This post was last modified: 26-09-2010 02:25 AM by JHyde.)

Well, that's what I thought too. (You know how much I like Franklin!) But usually there are better indicators that something has been pinched.

The only thing I could come up with on this occasion was that Pope had just died.

I can't see Franklin making fun of Pope, they were like minds. (Except that Pope was Catholic.) Perhaps this was an homage, there are references in Saunders' introduction that point to Pope (also about his Catholicism and his name), so I guess that solves this issue. Thanks A Cousin! At least it explains why I thought this passage belonged to Franklin, this passage as sandwiched between two key parts that I wrote a paper on, so at least my memory wasn't playing tricks!

The line that especially appeals to me as a tribute to Ros is 'Thus unlamented let me die'. It's perfect for her.

**Nia M** · 26-09-2010, 11:34 AM

JHyde Wrote:The line that especially appeals to me as a tribute to Ros is 'Thus unlamented let me die'. It's perfect for her

I agree. I also thought that the line 'Thus let me live, unseen, unknown' was rather fitting for a spy too, regardless of whether it was Ros or not.

redCHOCHO · 26-09-2010, 12:32 PM

(26-09-2010 11:34 AM)Nia M Wrote:
JHyde Wrote:The line that especially appeals to me as a tribute to Ros is 'Thus unlamented let me die'. It's perfect for her
I agree. I also thought that the line 'Thus let me live, unseen, unknown' was rather fitting for a spy too, regardless of whether it was Ros or not.

I agree that both lines are quite befitting Ros' character but they still make me incredibly melancholy even though I know it is her character and not the real person.

**A Cousin** · (This post was last modified: 27-09-2010 02:30 AM by A Cousin.)

(26-09-2010 02:18 AM)JHyde Wrote: Well, that's what I thought too. (You know how much I like Franklin!)

For which you have my full respect and admiration especially because I know jack diddly-squat about Australian history! OK maybe a very little bit about the settlement of New South Wales, but nothing I didn't learn from a documentary in the History Channel. Tongue

I've been thinking about that poem overall. The first two stanzas that they leave out are very pastoral - like Ros choosing the church in the country for her funeral. Its this stanza that got me. It is kind of what 9.1 is about and what is supposed to a theme of S9:

Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

Its a good transition.

**JHyde** · 27-09-2010, 03:25 AM

My Pope knowledge is pretty much limited to 'The Rape of the Lock'. So when Ruth started reciting, I totally thought it was Franklin.

**Nia M** · 03-10-2010, 08:59 AM

HN has been nominated for the Best TV Actress Dagger in the ITV Crime Thriller Awards for her role as Ros in Spooks:

http://wwwshotsmagcouk.blogspot.com/2010...olmes.html

watchstrap · 21-11-2010, 03:40 PM

I went to see Hermoine in Blythe Spirit last night in Brighton at the Theatre Royal. Thought I would post a small review if anyone was interested.

Blythe Spirit wasn't a Noel Coward play that I was familiar with, so I didn't really know what to expect. That said, coincidently my 10 yr old daughter announced that at her theatre group yesterday they did an improvisation based on Blythe Spirit, and then proceeded to give away the main twist of the plot! Never mind, I still really enjoyed the plot and I won't spoil it for others who may be going but it really has you reeled in until the end.

Hermione looked just stunning and had many gorgeous costumes. She really is amazingly tall and slim and they are not kidding about TV adding 10Ibs. She was really sharp with her delivery and for all Cold Feet fans it was good to see her reunited with her old screen husband Robert Bathurst(who was really, really good!). Hermione does seem to have cornered the market in playing middle-class, slightly brittle wives, which is why I loved her so much in Spooks. It gave her the chance to break out of that mould.

Alison Steadman was the real star of the show, having the entire audience in stitches playing the medium. Ruthie Henshall, who I have to say I previously had down as a bit of a West End Wendy, was brilliant too. Wow, what a beautiful dress she wore.

So, all in all a great play delivered by a stellar cast. If it's coming to a town near you and you can get a ticket, get along there!

P.S. All you non-UK folk that like to come over here for a bit of Theatre, do consider a performance in one of the provincial theatres. Brighton is a good option as it is less than an hour on the train from London and just a 10 min walk from the station.

**End of Tourist Promotion for Brighton Cool

**

Tea Lady · 21-11-2010, 04:18 PM

Thanks for the review Watchstrap. I'm glad the performance seems to be going down well and I can't wait to see both HN and Alison. I've got tickets for the 26 March in big bad London Wink

**A Cousin** · 21-11-2010, 04:28 PM

(21-11-2010 03:40 PM)watchstrap Wrote: Alison Steadman was the real star of the show, having the entire audience in stitches playing the medium. Ruthie Henshall, who I have to say I previously had down as a bit of a West End Wendy, was brilliant too. Wow, what a beautiful dress she wore.

Stupid-question-from-across-the-pond time: May I ask what the term "West End Wendy" means? Blush

I know The West End is the equivalent of our Broadway.

Thanks for the review! Even if I can't see them, it is nice to hear they are keeping gainfully employed.