The first set in an extraordinary collection of personal letters, written by Lord Chesterfield
Not originally intended for publication, the celebrated and controversial correspondences between Lord Chesterfield and his son Philip were praised in their day as a complete manual of education, and despised by Samuel Johnson for teaching 'the morals of a whore and the manners of a dancing-master.' Reflecting the political craft of a leading statesman and the urbane wit of a man who associated with Pope, Addison, and Swift, Lord Chesterfield's letters reveal the author's political cynicism, his views on good breeding, and instruction to his son in etiquette and the worldly arts. These entertaining letters illuminate the fascinating aspects of eighteenth-century life and manners.
The first set of an extraordinary collection of 10 sets of personal letters written by Lord Chesterfield to his illegitimate son, young Philip Stanhope, then living abroad with his tutor to further his education.
His Lordship, later secretary of state, hoped that his son would follow in his footsteps and took endless pains to instruct him on the essential and finer behavioral traits of a the aristocracy.
AUTHOR
Lord Chesterfield
Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694-1773) was a British politician, serving in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Well traveled and a reknown orator, Chesterfield became a successful diplomat with close ties to the Prince of Wales. Chesterfield's writing gifts served him well politically, writing phamphlets under an assumed name, he was able to impact political decisions from inside and outside the chambers.
Before his marriage, Chesterfield fathered an illegitimate son. The son, Philip Stanhope, was his only natural child and Lord Chesterfield cared deeply about him, his entire life. Chesterfield wrote Philip over 400 letters over a 30 year period, most of which have survived. Ironically, the letters were preserved by a great source of sorrow for Chesterfield. Chesterfield's son had married a woman of humble birth who had born him two children. Chesterfield did not learn of their existence until after his son death at 36. Philip's widow preserved and published the letters.
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