Marvell and the Earl of Anglesey: A chapter in the history of reading (Polemical pamphlets, Restoration England)

Andrew Marvell's famous polemical pamphlets against Samuel Parker, the two part of The rehearsal transpros'd, are packed with references and allusions to other books, some very esoteric. We think we have discovered where Marv ell did his reading--in the library of Arthur Annesley, first early of Angl esey, who also protected Marvell and his bookseller from the licenser and t he Stationers' Company. In this, he collaborated with the Earl of Shaftesbu ry, the then Lord Chancellor. The implications of these discoveries go well beyond even the new bibliography, suggesting that Marvell wrote his respon ses to Parker under the patronage of Anglesey, and that his connection with Shaftesbury vegan earlier than supposed; but they also show us how one eff icient and intelligent reader responded to the task of detailed controversy , by doing focused and rapid research. Would that our own had equally witty results!