(Cant Glossary) | A stage comedy of the rascally denizens of Whitefriars that employs their lingo in the dialogue

(Cant Glossary)

Thomas Shadwell. The Squire of Alsatia. London: Printed for James Knapp, 1688

4to (219 x 159 mm). "Explanation of the Cant" on title-page verso; fore-edges a trifle frayed in quire A, light browning throughout, pagination irregular but text and registration continuous. Modern calf-backed green marbled boards, spine lettered gilt.

One of Shadwell's most successful comedies, The Squire of Alsatia was performed at Drury Lane probably on 3 May 1688, having an uninterrupted run of thirteen days, including the fullest house the theatre had ever recorded. The Squire was a one of the gamesters inhabiting the Whitefriars area of London (nicknamed Alsatia, after Alsace in northeastern France). Their roguish phraseology was accurately captured by Shadwell in this play, but it required a glossary of cant to be included in the preliminaries.

REFERENCE:

ESTC R228984; Wing S2874A