Publication Details | Synopsis | Secondary Commentary |Varieties & Dialects | Other
Publication details |
Author: Cumberland, Richard
Author dates: 1732-1811
Title: The Natural Son
First played: 1784
First published: 1785, for C. Dilly ... and G. Nicol [etc.] 84 p.
C18th availability: Available from ECCO (1785)
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/ECCO?dd=0&locID=utoronto_main&d1=0212500500&srchtp=b&c=19&SU=All&d2=1&docNum=CW3310725243&b0=natural+son&h2=1&vrsn=1.0&b1=KE&d6=1&ste=10&dc=tiPG&stp=Author&d4=0.33&n=10&d5=d6
Modern availability: Available from LION (1997)
http://lion.chadwyck.com/toc.do?action=new&divLevel=0&mapping=toc&area=Drama&id=Z000070084&forward=tocMarc&DurUrl=Yes
Genre: Comedy
Character types: Country; Irish; Classical
Synopsis |
Blushenly is revealed to be Sir Jeffrey Latimer's sister's illegitimate son, making him of an appropriate rank for marriage to Sir Jeffrey's widowed daughter Lady Paragon. Disappointed by Blushenly's engagement, Sir Jeffrey's sister Phoebe agrees to marry Jack Hustings.
Act I.
Penelope, a servant, interrupts Mrs. Phoebe Latimer, who is reading in the household library; Phoebe’s niece Lady Paragon wishes to have a French or English book. Lady Paragon has employed the handsome Mr. Blushenly to read to her. Phoebe tells Penelope to carry a book to Lady Paragon without letting Blushenly read from it; Penelope thinks that Phoebe is in love with Blushenly herself. Blushenly enters, and Phoebe confesses her love for him (to his secret discomfort). Lady Paragon interrupts her rhapsody to ask Blushenly to read to her while she dresses herself. Phoebe is shocked, asking Lady Paragon is aware of what she has said. Lady Paragon mocks Blushenly, saying that she likes a little flattery, which he does not know how to deliver. They discuss pity and love; Phoebe admits she pities Blushenly, whose origins are unknown, while Lady Paragon says that she does not pity him, but that if she loved him, all others would pity him. Lady Paragon warns Blushenly that he will be in for a difficult time if he intends to fall in love with her. Phoebe is scandalized; Sir Jeffrey Latimer enters, and she warns him that this foundling (Blushenly) has been brought into the family to produce heirs without pedigree. Sir Jeffrey suggests that Phoebe is jealous of Lady Paragon, and that the latter should be allowed to choose her husband as she has already had to contend with one she did not like. Phoebe provokes Sir Jeffery until he leaves her in a fury. Sir Jeffrey tells his servant David that Blushenly is the illegitimate son of his cousin Frances Latimer; because Blushenly is of the family (but not too closely related), Sir Jeffrey encourages the budding romance between the recently-widowed Lady Paragon and Blushenly. Jack Hustings arrives with a brace of trout for Sir Jeffrey. Hustings confesses that he is sometimes lonely and he wants a wife. Sir Jeffrey encourages him to pursue Phoebe, but urges him to drink a lot of wine first to give him the strength of will to do so.
Act II.
Blushenly and Lady Paragon discuss Phoebe’s obvious infatuation with the former. Lady Paragon asks Blushenly if he has no favourite woman; Blushenly does not deny it and tries to take his leave. Lady Paragon says that he must have noticed – but does not finish her statement. Lady Paragon pretends to be her aunt in a mock-proposal to Blushenly, but reveals her true feelings when she says “father” instead of “brother”. Major O’Flaherty arrives at the house to visit Blushenly. O’Flaherty tells Blushenly that his name is really Latimer (his mother is Frances Latimer, of Lisle). His mother has just died, leaving him with a tremendous fortune, the deeds of which O’Flaherty has foolishly entrusted to a vagabond boy who will bring them to Blushenly. Jack Hustings proposes marriage to Phoebe, who is appalled by the idea. She screams when Hustings tries to kiss her, summoning Lady Paragon to the room. Lady Paragon tells Phoebe that she must expect this sort of treatment from her suitors, as they are no longer as reserved as they were in the old days. Lady Paragon reminds Phoebe that she must strive to have Blushenly’s goodwill rather than his love.
Act III.
Sir Jeffrey joyfully hears of the news of Blushenly’s fortune and thanks O’Flaherty profusely. In his mother’s bequest, Blushenly is ordered to marry Lady Paragon if he is to receive his entire fortune. Sir Jeffrey encourages him to do so. Blushenly tells them to keep his good fortune a secret from Lady Paragon and Phoebe until he has won the former lady by virtue alone. Hustings enters; he is disappointed by Phoebe’s rejection, but Sir Jeffrey tells him that she will be his by nightfall. David announces that Mr. Ruefull has arrived to visit Sir Jeffrey. Dumps, Ruefull’s servant, comes in first. Dumps describes his long and varied career: he provided corpses for a pathologist, worked for the Humane Society, took a job as a “murder-monger” for a newspaper and finally ended up as Squire Ruefull’s servant. Phoebe, Lady Paragon and Blushenly return. Phoebe rejoices at the new of Frances Latimer’s death, as Sir Jeffery is bound to inherit her fortune. However, O’Flaherty reveals that the fortune has been left to her son; Phoebe is appalled and cannot understand how a single woman could have a son. Sir Jeffrey tells Lady Paragon that she will fall in love with this mysterious son without a doubt; Lady Paragon scoffs at this proposition. They lay a bet to this effect, each side thinking that the other has made a dreadful error. Ruefull finally arrives and chastises his servant for drinking. Ruefull desires a private meeting with Blushenly to speak to him about Lady Paragon, of whom he hopes to catch a sight. They go to join him in the garden.
Act IV.
Phoebe tells Blushenly that if he means to promote Lady Paragon’s marriage to Latimer, he should not kiss her hand with such ardour. To silence her, Blushenly says that when his name is united to a Latimer’s, it will not be with Lady Paragon; Phoebe is pacified. Phoebe intends to withdraw her entire fortune from her brother’s hands. Hustings enters to apologize for his previous offense. Ruefull enters and says extravagant and complimentary things to Phoebe, to her great confusion. Ruefull says that Blushenly and Lady Paragon must be married; he will make up for any difference in fortune. Sir Jeffrey says that he will prohibit his daughter marrying anyone except Mr. Latimer. Blushenly orders Phoebe to leave, as he must have a word with Lady Paragon. Blushenly tells Lady Paragon that Latimer is already in the house, and that he is in favour of his suit. Devastated, Lady Paragon tells him that she loves him. Blushenly reveals himself to be Latimer. Lady Paragon is annoyed and tells him that she will defeat him yet. O’Flaherty tells Phoebe that she will hear nothing more of Blushenly after that night, and pretends to want to kidnap him and send him to Ireland. Phoebe says that she will elope with Blushenly, leaving Lady Paragon free to marry Latimer.
Act V.
Ruefull fires Dumps. Dumps tells Jack Hustings that Ruefull has a lost illegitimate son. Sir Jeffrey tells Ruefull that Blushenly is Frances Latimer’s son. Lady Paragon and Blushenly are reconciled; Phoebe walks in on them as they embrace. Phoebe accuses them of incest, saying that Blushenly is Sir Jeffrey’s illegitimate son. Blushenly tells her that she cannot be right because he is Latimer. Phoebe is embarrassed and confused by the entire proceedings; the others tell her kindly that they will not discuss her love for Blushenly again. Lady Paragon tells O’Flaherty that she will pay her portion of the wager. Sir Jeffrey comes in with wonderful news, but he refuses to tell it. Ruefull has fainted; when he comes to, he tells Blushenly that he is his father. They all celebrate; Lady Paragon pays her debts in wedding favours, Phoebe consents to a dance with Hustings, and O’Flaherty wishes for a little cottage in which to contemplate the events of the day.
Secondary commentary |
A) Keenan, Joseph J.,Jr., ‘Richard Cumberland: February 19, 1732-May 7, 1811’. Dictionary of Literary Biography, Volume 89: Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Dramatists, Third Series. Edited by Paula R. Backscheider, University of Rochester. The Gale Group, 1989. LiteratureResourceCenter. 26 May 2008. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitRC?vrsn=3&OP=contains&locID=utoronto_main&srchtp=athr&ca=1&c=1&ste=6&tab=1&tbst=arp&ai=U13602361&n=10&docNum=H1200002662&ST=cumberland+richard&bConts=10927
"His desire to relive his former popularity caused him to reprise O'Flaherty in The Natural Son (1784). The critics rightly found the piece to be underplotted, and while it possessed good, witty dialogue, it suffered from being, at least in part, a sequel. O'Flaherty appealed to those who already liked him, but there was little new in terms of satire, plot, or character in the piece."
Varieties & Dialects |
Overview of varieties / dialects
O’Flaherty, the Irishman, does not have idiomatic “stage Irish” speech. Many characters use Latin terms (Mrs. Phoebe Latimer, Dumps, Ruefull), while a few (Sir Jeffrey, Ruefull, Hustings) use “thou” for “you” (Hustings nearly universally, while the others use it only in certain situations).
Varieties / dialectsVariety: Mrs. Phoebe Latimer
a. Sample of dialect
[page 10]
Phoebe, The meaning is, that, not content with what Nature did for you, you will be a fool of
[page 11 ]
your own making.---The meaning is, that you have rear'd, educated, father'd this Terræ-filius to bring heirs to the Latimers, children of nobody, and grandchildren without a name.
…
Phoebe. Fine arguing!---Brother, brother, you are ignoramus , or, as the Poet sings---
[page 12 ]
Sir Jeff. Damn the Poet!
Phoebe. Oaths are no arguments, Jeffery Latimer; mere brutum fulmen , as the Logicians have it.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar
b.3 Vocabulary: “Terrae-filius”; “ignoramus”; “brutum fulmen” (Latin)
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: well-born, middle-aged lady
e. Consistency of representation: frequent classical allusions (tries to seem well-read)
Variety: Sir Jeffrey Latimer
a. Sample of dialect
[page 12 ]
Sir Jeff. Damn the Poet!
Phoebe. Oaths are no arguments, Jeffery Latimer; mere brutum fulmen , as the Logicians have it.
Sir Jeff. Damn the Logicians!
Phoebe. Now I am cool, you are hot!---How often, brother Latimer, have I talk'd to you on the subject of passion? Have not I told you that the wise Antients call anger a short madness? You had best abuse them too, had you not?
Sir Jeff. No, no, not in your company; I have too much manners to abuse the Antients to their faces.
--
[page 17]
Sir Jeff. 'Tis a small compliment to say I had rather pay her fortune to you than to a stranger, for marry she will; but as for my good word with
[page 18 ]
her, I wou'd not do you the injury to offer it--- There she is in her castle; if thou hast the heart to attack it, march up boldly, the coast is clear; but if thou thinkst it better to fortify with a good dinner, and a flask of wine, friend David shall give thee a bottle of his best, and we'll have a crash, my dear boy, to set thee on thy mettle.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “too much manners”; “thou” when addressing Hustings
b.3 Vocabulary: Oaths (“Damn…!”)
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: nobleman
e. Consistency of representation: inconsistent use of “you” and “thou” (uses ‘thou’ when addressing characters of lower social standing or when excited)
Variety: Jack Hustings
a. Sample of dialect
[page 15]
Jack. Rubs as it runs. How is it, Knight?---give me thy fore-finger; I am come to rumple a napkin with thee.
Sir Jeff. And thou shalt be as welcome, my good friend, as to-day and to-morrow into the bargain.
Jack. I know it, I know it well, else I would not come.---I have brought thee a brace of trout, Knight; they are the first I've taken this season, and I'll warrant 'em as pink as a petticoat;---shew'd noble play, up the stream and down the stream:---a cloud in the sky, a ripple on the water;---here stood I; you know my old watch; snap's the word---never miss my throw.---
[page 16 ]
Hast got a good breed of birds on thy manor this season?
--
[page 56]
Jack. Very true, 'tis a happy reformation--- but who can command himself at all times, Mrs. Phoebe? Where's the man that can do it? I was surpriz'd, taken unawares, passion ran away with me like an unbroke horse: but I have got him under now; I can govern him with a twine of thread.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: speaks in sentence fragments; “hast got” (subject omitted); “unbroke”
b.3 Vocabulary: “Knight” (Sir Jeffrey); “thee”
c. Nationality: English (country)
d. Character profile: middle-class man devoted to the pleasures of the outdoors
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
Variety: O’Flaherty
a. Sample of dialect
[page 25]
O'Fl.
O'Flaherty, at your command; you may add Major to it, if you are so pleas'd.---I have travell'd a pretty many miles, by sea and land, out of pure love and service to you, young gentleman, if it is you that are called Mr. Blushenly.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “if it is you that are”
b.3 Vocabulary
c. Nationality: Irish
d. Character profile: Irish soldier in the Austrian army
e. Consistency of representation: few (if any) stereotypically “Irish” idioms
Variety: Dumps (Ruefull’s servant)
a. Sample of dialect
[page 40]
Dumps.
I am serving-man to Squire Ruefull; I hasten'd in advance, to signify the coming on of my master.--- Salve, Domine!---Et tu quoque!---Pax in domo!
[Page 41 ]
O'Fl. What the plague! which of your evil tongues is that?
Dumps. 'Tis Latin; I learnt it when I shew'd the tombs in Westminster Abbey.
O'Fl. Oho! if you come out of the tombs, 'tis no wonder you speak the dead languages.
Dumps. Rectè.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar
b.3 Vocabulary: Latin: “Salve, Domine! Et tu quoque! Pax in domo!”, “Recte” ; “to signify the coming on of my master” would be said much more clearly as “to announce my master’s arrival”
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: a servant of many professions (the Latin is a relic of one of them)
e. Consistency of representation: consistent
Variety: Ruefull
a. Sample of dialect
[page 52]
Ruefull.
What then? you had a better pedigree without parents, than she has with them; and for fortune, what's that? if you was of my way of
[page 53 ]
thinking, you wou'd not take it was it offer'd to you: why I have got a fortune, youngster, a great fortune, if that be all, and a great house; but Magna domus magnum malum is my motto; a hut by the sea-side is the castle of my comfort.---I have something to say to you on the subject of this young woman; but first let me have a sight of her.
…
[page 70]
Ruefull.
Parting from Dumps is like the practice of repentance; it costs some struggle to wean one's self from one's vices.---Fare thee well, Dumps!
[page 71 ]
I wish I were certain thou wou'dst never come back to me; for if thou dost, I shall surely take thee in, and 'twou'd be hard if the plague cou'd be had above once in one's life.
b.1 Orthography
b.2 Grammar: “you was”; “thou” when addressing Dumps for the last time
b.3 Vocabulary: Latin: “magna domus magnum malum”
c. Nationality: English
d. Character profile: Blushenly's father
e. Consistency of representation: this instance only
Comment on classical languages:
[page 40]
Dumps.
I am serving-man to Squire Ruefull; I hasten'd in advance, to signify the coming on of my master.--- Salve, Domine!---Et tu quoque!---Pax in domo!
[Page 41 ]
O'Fl. What the plague! which of your evil tongues is that?
Dumps. 'Tis Latin; I learnt it when I shew'd the tombs in Westminster Abbey.
O'Fl. Oho! if you come out of the tombs, 'tis no wonder you speak the dead languages.
Dumps. Rectè.
Other points of interest |
None.
©2009 Arden Hegele