MARVELL, Andrew.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

A Letter from a Gentleman in Ireland To his Brother in England, Relating to the Concerns of Ireland in matter of Trade. First edition of this polemic against English commercial policy towards Ireland, a rare prose work from the great metaphysical poet.Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) maintained a political career under Charles II, serving as MP for Hull from 1659 to his death. However, he soon grew wary of Charles's autocratic tendencies and finally published a pamphlet in 1677 which directly accused the King of tyranny and popery. Several years earlier, when the royal prorogation of parliament threatened his livelihood, Marvell had wished for "honest fair Employment into Ireland" - which might explain his return to Irish concerns. The Letter from a Gentleman protests against English efforts to depress Ireland's nascent industry, lamenting that "Industry is the first step to Civility" (p. 12).

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