1661

January 1661 Dear Alice,

Today is my first day being in London after a long two day trip. The travel was long and all I wanted to do was retreat to my quarters and sleep the day away, but my father wanted to attend this trial at court about these men who were being allegedly committing treason against the government. It was a serious case that twenty of these men were pleading for their lives, and of course, all had pleaded not guilty. Besides this serious subject, we had planned on attending many plays in London, and visiting the theatre while actors performed plays and recited poems, especially one from John Armstong called //A day: An Epistle to John Wilkes, of Aylesbury, Efq//. It was brief, yet very interesting to listen to especially since it contains certain biblical allusions that I can relate to. While my father would go to work, I would go on trips around the block talking with some people and making new friends. They took me around London teaching me about its lifestyle and various forms of entertainment. Most of the time, they would stop at the nearby theatre and take a glance at the newest #|play being performed. Soon enough, we heard about certain plays that will be performed this year from Shakespeare, such as Hamlet and Twelfth Night. I’m very excited to see them. I wish you could be here to enjoy this experience with me and meet my new friends. Well, my father is calling me to leave for the courthouse. I will update you on how this trial goes and how my day goes so far. Your dearest friend, Chase  _____

January 24, 1661 Dear Alice,

I apologize that I have not been in touch lately and keeping up with the letters. But I have been receiving your letters. I am still getting accustomed to the new lifestyle here in London, especially with the disorganized government they have here. For a long time now, they haven’t had a King to stabilize the people, and recently, they had a trial of these men for treason, which I told you I would attend in my last letter. I forgot to update you on what happened during the trial. Of course, they all had pleaded not guilty, but only twelve of them were sentenced to death by hanging or execution. Four of them were acquitted and the rest were quartered. The men who were hanged and executed were, if I can remember correctly, Leonard Gowler, Jonas Allen, John Pym, William Ashton, Stephen Fall, John Smith, William Corbet, John Dod, John Elfton, Thomas Harris, John Gerdiner, and Robert Bryerley. And those who were freed Richard Marten, John Patshall, Robert Hopkins and John Wells. I know these are a lot of names to remember, but they stood out very vividly because they were printed all over the newspapers and people were shouting their names in disgust. I am not sure what else will happen in London, but so far it does not seem very exciting. I have never seen anyone being hung right in front of me, and it was haunting to see the men jerk and struggle. It has only been a week and yet I can still see the bloodshot eyes from their faces, the pulsating and bulging veins in their neck and forehead. It is something I know I will never forget, but hopefully things will #|start to look brighter from here on out. I do hope everything is well with you and your family. Send them my regards and tell them I miss our gatherings in your house. Until next time my dearest friend. Your Dearest Friend, Chase _

February 1661 Dear Alice,

Today I was eating lunch with a few friends in one of the many coffeehouses here in London discussing a #|poetry reading we had witnessed prior to today. The poem was called “A day: An Epistle to John Wilkes, of Aylesbury, Esq.” and we discussed it for quite a bit. The poem was a letter to John Wilkes, a man who did not have any title, hence the use of the title of “esquire.” Like I recounted in my first letter, the poem had certain biblical allusions I could relate to. In addition, the letter warns Wilkes to be wary of negative events, such as plagues or disease. However, the writer also shows Wilkes how to take advantages of the many pleasures in life, such as how one should eat or drink under a tree, or “by a fountainside.” There was much confusion about the group as we were discussing it. The language was rich but at times incomprehensible beyond our knowledge. Hours had passed and frustration also presented itself throughout our conversation. Regardless of how each of us felt, one thing we agreed upon was that the author wants nothing but the best for Wilkes and it seems that they are saying farewell to each other for the last time. There were some questions that floated about my mind as I listened to the poem. Epistle means letter, but when it is a proper noun, it refers to a letter from one of the twelve Apostles. This is one of the biblical allusions I was telling you about. What if that was what John Armstrong (the author of the poem) meant for Wilkes? These warnings and pieces of advice were coming from somebody as holy and wise as an Apostle? It was just something to ponder on. Maybe you could give the poem a read someday and tell me what you think of it. Do not wait too long to reply. I will be eager to hear your answer. Your Dearest Friend, Chase <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">_____

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">March 9, 1661 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dear Alice,

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Today was a very exciting day for everyone here in London. My father had sent me a letter inquiring that I meet him at the courthouse. I had asked my friend, Aiden, if he wanted to join me while I would go to see my father. We both took a trip to the courthouse while we were discussing what we wanted to do after we completed secondary school. He told me of his interest in politics, and I told him that I wanted to study religion and the Bible in depth. It has always been a dream of mine to pursue a lifestyle dedicated to the church. During the last few weeks, he and I became quite close in discussing various issues concerning politics and religion and sometimes how the two topics crossed paths. Especially with the recent goings-on in London, Aiden grew very enthusiastic about participating in politics even more. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> We had arrived at my father’s office in the afternoon and it was busier than ever. Everyone was smiling and celebrating with each other, and frankly it was a most refreshing place to be after all that has been happening in the past two months. I am sure you might be wondering what the big news has been. Today, April the 23rd, was the proclamation of his Majesty’s coronation. Finally, we will have a King to lead London and restore it to order. In due time, Charles II will be our new King. I am hoping that things will be brighter from this moment henceforth. His Majesty’s coronation especially brings forth hope for the people because of how things will be conducted in London when he becomes King, and how things will continue to progress and be restored in society. Hopefully, it will also help the theatre to progress in their performances in plays. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Hopefully soon I will tell you of my next visit to the theatre and the next play I will see. Until next time my dearest friend. Send my regards once again to your family.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">Your Dearest Friend, <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">Chase _ <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">March 1661 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dear Alice,

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Today was spent with much relaxation as I ventured the capital and sightsaw attractions with a few of the chums I have made. “Chum” is another word for “friend” here in London, is that not interesting? We stumbled across interesting advertisements from other citizens of London. One day prior, we witnessed someone stealing a sword from a person without him noticing, and today, the owner put an inquiry in the newspaper about his sword that was stolen from him. Also, we had heard not too long ago about this young man named Henry Read of 23 years coming down with smallpox and we all feared that an epidemic would be upon us because of this man. Such a young age and yet this shows how diseased-ridden London can be at any given moment. I do hope you are not coming down with any illness, my good friend. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">As far as things are going on in London, the news has been the same ranging from diseases, new plays being performed in the theatres, as well as the government’s preparations for the coronation next month, to which I may add that it seems to be stabilizing because of these preparations. Will you be able to take a trip here to experience this coronation with my family? If so, bring your family as well. Otherwise, I hope to see you well and happy. Until next time my dearest friend. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">Your Dearest Friend, <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: right;">Chase

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Work Cited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Armstrong, John. __A day: an epistle to John Wilkes, of Aylesbury, Esq.__ London, MDCLXI. [1661] [1761]. __Eighteenth Century Collections Online__. Gale. University of Maryland College Park. 20 Apr. 2014 < [] >.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The London Stage, 1660-1800, Part 1, 1660-1700: //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> ‪//A Calendar of Plays, Entertainment and Afterpieces Together with Casts, Box-Reciepts and Contemporary Comment//. Ed. William Van Lennep. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois UP, 1965: 15-45 Print.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Arts & Entertainment. //Kingdomes Intelligencer (1661)// (London, England), February 11, 1661 - February 18, 1661; Issue 7.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Classified ads. //Kingdomes Intelligencer (1661)// (London, England), January 14, 1661 - April 1, 1661; Issues 3-13.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> News. //Kingdomes Intelligencer (1661)// (London, England), January 7, 1661 - March 25, 1661; Issues 2-12.