DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0173
NELL GWYNN.
147
exceptions to a general rule; harsh in particular applications; but
on the whole; just and friendly to our sex.
It is; at least in one sense; rather a delicate point to touch on
the Life of Nell Gwynn : one would fain be properly shocked;
decorously grave; and becomingly moral; but; as the lady says
in Comus, “ to what end ?” It were rather superfluous to set
about proving that Nell Gwynn was, in her day; a good-for-
nothing sort of person; in short; as wild a piece of frailty; as ever
wore a petticoat. In spite of such demonstrations; and Bishop
Burnet’s objurgations to boot; she will not the less continue to be
the idol of popular tradition; her very name provocative of a smile;
and of power to disarm the austerity of virtue; and discountenance
the gravity of wisdom. It is worth while to inquire in what con-
sists that strange fascination; which; after the lapse of a century
and a half, still hangs round the memory of this singular woman.
Why is her name still familiar and dear in the mouths of the
people?* why hath no man condemned her? why has satire
spared her ? why is there in her remembrance a charm so far
beyond; and so different from mere celebrity ? Other women have
become famous and interesting in spite of their lapses from virtue;
and some from that cause. Rosamond Clifford is the heroine of
romance; Agnes Sorel; of history and chivalry; Jane Shore; of
tragedy; La Valhhre; of sentiment and poetry; and Gabrielle
d’Estrees has been immortalized by the love of a hero; to whom
she was most faithless; and of whom she was most unworthy.
But Nell Gwynn—Heaven knows—had little to do with romance;
or tragedy;! or chivalry; or sentiment: and her connexion with
the King; with all the scandal it gave rise to; would have made
her; as in other cases; a mark for popular hatred and scurrility;
* The head of Nell Gwynn was a popular sign in her own days, and long
after; and is still to he seen over an old ale-house in Chelsea. Signs are seldom
other than acknowledgments of a general good-will in the public for the thing or
person signified.—C. L.
T Except on the stage,—and then she was “ out of her calling.’
L 2
147
exceptions to a general rule; harsh in particular applications; but
on the whole; just and friendly to our sex.
It is; at least in one sense; rather a delicate point to touch on
the Life of Nell Gwynn : one would fain be properly shocked;
decorously grave; and becomingly moral; but; as the lady says
in Comus, “ to what end ?” It were rather superfluous to set
about proving that Nell Gwynn was, in her day; a good-for-
nothing sort of person; in short; as wild a piece of frailty; as ever
wore a petticoat. In spite of such demonstrations; and Bishop
Burnet’s objurgations to boot; she will not the less continue to be
the idol of popular tradition; her very name provocative of a smile;
and of power to disarm the austerity of virtue; and discountenance
the gravity of wisdom. It is worth while to inquire in what con-
sists that strange fascination; which; after the lapse of a century
and a half, still hangs round the memory of this singular woman.
Why is her name still familiar and dear in the mouths of the
people?* why hath no man condemned her? why has satire
spared her ? why is there in her remembrance a charm so far
beyond; and so different from mere celebrity ? Other women have
become famous and interesting in spite of their lapses from virtue;
and some from that cause. Rosamond Clifford is the heroine of
romance; Agnes Sorel; of history and chivalry; Jane Shore; of
tragedy; La Valhhre; of sentiment and poetry; and Gabrielle
d’Estrees has been immortalized by the love of a hero; to whom
she was most faithless; and of whom she was most unworthy.
But Nell Gwynn—Heaven knows—had little to do with romance;
or tragedy;! or chivalry; or sentiment: and her connexion with
the King; with all the scandal it gave rise to; would have made
her; as in other cases; a mark for popular hatred and scurrility;
* The head of Nell Gwynn was a popular sign in her own days, and long
after; and is still to he seen over an old ale-house in Chelsea. Signs are seldom
other than acknowledgments of a general good-will in the public for the thing or
person signified.—C. L.
T Except on the stage,—and then she was “ out of her calling.’
L 2