AMBROSE PHILIPS. 1675-1749. A Native of Shropshire - Educated at Cambridge Encouraged by the Earl of Dorset - Sides with the Whigs — His friendship with Addison and Steele - Produces The Distressed Mother,' a Tragedy - The famous Epilogue to his Tragedy — Publishes his Pastorals — His Quarrel with Pope Joins in The Freethinker' - Is patronised by Archbishop Boulter - Death and Burial in Audley Chapel, South Audley Street, London. Of the birth or early part of the life of AMBROSE PHILIPS I have not been able to find any account.' His academical education he received at St. John's College in Cambridge, where he first solicited the notice of the world by some English verses, in the collection published by the University on the death of Queen Mary. From this time how he was employed, or in what station he passed his life, is not yet discovered. He must have published his Pastorals before the year 1708, because they are evidently prior to those of Pope.2 1 Ambrosius Philips, filius Ambrosii P. pannicularii natus infra Salopiam ibidemq; literis institutus sub Mr Lloyd, annum agens 18 admissus est subsizator pro M Conway, Tutore & fidejussore M Nourse. Junii 25. 1693. Nov. 6. 1693. Ego Ambrosius Phillips Salopiensis juratus et admissus sum in discipulum hujus collegii pro Dominâ Fundatrice decessore Gandy. Electio sociorum Martii 27. 1699. Ego Ambrosius Phillips Salopiensis juratus & admissus in perpetuum socium hujus Collegii pro Dominâ Fundatrice decessore Mr Apperly.-Register of St. John's College, Cambridge. In the ‘Graduati Cantabrigienses' his degrees are given:-B.A. 1696 (i.e. 1696-7), M.A. 1700. 2 This is inaccurate. (See 'Life of Pope,' iii. 11.) Philips's 'Pastorals' appeared simultaneously with those of Pope in the sixth and concluding volume of Tonson's 'Miscellany.' The volume (8vo., 1709) begins with the 'Pastorals' of Philips, and ends with those of Pope. 3 He afterwards (1709) addressed to the universal patron, the Duke of Dorset, a Poetical Letter from Copenhagen,' which was published in 'The Tatler' (No. 12), and is by Pope in one of his first letters mentioned with high praise, as the production of a man "who could write very nobly." 4 5 Philips was a zealous Whig, and therefore easily found access to Addison and Steele; but his ardour seems not to have procured him anything more than kind words; since he was reduced to translate the Persian Tales' for Tonson, for which he was afterwards reproached, with this addition of contempt, that he worked for half-a-crown. The book is divided into many sections, for each of which if he received half-a-crown, his reward, as writers then were paid, was very liberal; but half-a-crown had a mean sound. He was employed in promoting the principles of his party, by epitomising Hacket's Life of Archbishop Williams.' The original book is written with such depravity of genius, such mixture of the fop and pedant, as has not often appeared. The epitome is free enough from affectation, but has little spirit or vigour. In 1712 he brought upon the stage The Distressed Mother,' almost a translation of Racine's Andromaque.' Such a work requires no uncommon powers, but the friends of Philips exerted every art to promote his interest. Before the appearance of the play, a whole 'Spectator,' none indeed of the best, was devoted to its praise; while it yet continued to be acted, another 'Spectator' was written, to tell what impression it made upon Sir 3 This is a mistake; the witty Lord Dorset was only an Earl. His son Lionel was the first Duke. Compare Pope to Cromwell, Oct. 28, 1710. I cannot find the words quoted by Johnson in any letter to Cromwell. "the Philips went to Copenhagen with Lord Mark Kerr, and Mr. Mitford has printed in the Aldine edition of Swift two interesting letters from Swift to Philips while abroad. They are very Whiggish. "I wish," says Swift, victory we have got, and the scenes you pass through, would put you into humour of writing a Pastoral to celebrate the Duke of Marlborough, who, I hope, will soon be your General." 5 The Thousand and One Days, 'Persian Tales,' vol. i. 8vo.: London, 1714. -Bodleian Catalogue. Spectator,' No. 290, Feb. 1, 1712. 7 8 Roger; and on the first night a select audience, says Pope,' was called together to applaud it. It was concluded with the most successful Epilogue that was ever yet spoken on the English theatre. The three first nights it was recited twice; and not only continued to be demanded through the run, as it is termed, of the play, but whenever it is recalled to the stage, where by peculiar fortune, though a copy from the French, it yet keeps its place, the Epilogue is still expected, and is still spoken.10 The propriety of Epilogues in general, and consequently of this, was questioned by a correspondent of The Spectator,'11 whose letter was undoubtedly admitted for the sake of the answer, which soon followed, 12 written with much zeal and acrimony. The attack and the defence equally contributed to stimulate curiosity and continue attention. It may be discovered in the defence, that Prior's Epilogue to Phædra' had a little excited jealousy; and something of Prior's plan may be discovered in the performance of his rival. 6 Of this distinguished Epilogue the reputed author was the wretched Budgell, whom Addison used to denominate 13 "the 7 Spectator,' No. 335, March 25, 1712. "But pray," says Sir Roger, "you that are a critic, is this play according to your dramatic rules, as you call them? Should your people in tragedy always talk to be understood? Why, there is not a single sentence in this play that I do not know the meaning of."-Spec. No. 335. It was acted at Drury Lane, and for the first time on the 17th March, 1712. It ran nine nights. 9 Spence.-JOHNSON. Ed. Singer, p. 46. 10 The Epilogue to 'The Distressed Mother' was spoke no less than nine times by Mrs. Oldfield the three first nights The Distressed Mother' was acted, and is still constantly called for by the audience whenever that play is represented on the stage. Lord Halifax sent for Mr. Budgell, then a stranger to him, and told him that from thenceforward he must be acquainted with him, and desired to be ranked among the number of his friends.—BUDGELL: Bee, vol. ii. p. 855. Till then it was usual to discontinue an epilogue after the sixth night. But this was called for by the audience, and continued for the whole run of this play. Budgell did not scruple to sit in the pit and call for it himself.CIBBER: Lives of the Poets, v. 3. |