Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy
Encyclopedia
Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy is an eight-volume collection of fictional letters claiming to have been written by an Ottoman
spy named "Mahmut", in the French court of Louis XIV.
It is agreed that the first volume of this work was written by Giovanni Paolo Marana (1642-1693), a Genoese
political refugee to the French court of Louis XIV. The first volume (102 letters) was published in several parts between 1684 and 1686 in both Italian and in a French translation. They were translated by William Bradshaw
into English in 1687 under the supervision of Robert Midgley who owned the copyright of the work. The remaining seven volumes appeared first in English between 1691 and 1694, prefaced with a letter claiming that they were translated from a discovered Italian manuscript. A French edition of the last seven volumes (with the first) was published in 1696-7 and asserting that it was a translation from the English. The eight volumes contain 644 letters.
There has long been a controversy as to the authorship of the volumes subsequent to Marana's first. They have been attributed to many writers, most notably Robert Midgley and William Bradshaw who produced the English translation. However, given the similarities between the letters, and the stylistic coherence of the whole series, the likeliest author is Marana himself. Marana may have had difficulty in getting the later volumes published in France and turned to England to secure their continuing appearance.
The volumes contain fictional letters written by one "Mahmut the Arabian." The letters cover the period of 1637 to 1682 in France, from the last years of the Regency of Anne of Austria
and Cardinal Richelieu through the long reign of Louis XIV and his minister Cardinal Mazarin. The Letters form a rambling journal of gossip on current politics and satire on society. Mahmut sends reports from Paris
to Constantinople
on politics and current events in France, but corresponds privately on other subjects including religion, and adds stories and anecdotes for diversion. His observations range from those on political figures such as Richelieu and Mazarin to speculations on the status of women, advice about state policy, and major interventions in controversies about religious doctrine and their consequences. His political position in the letters changes from that of liberal Catholic
to that of a rationalistic Deist
.
The work was popular throughout the 18th century and went through fifteen complete editions by 1801. Daniel Defoe
was attracted to the deist rationalist sympathies of the purported spy; his Continuation of Turkish Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy in Paris (1718) extended the narrator's account from 1687 to 1693.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
spy named "Mahmut", in the French court of Louis XIV.
It is agreed that the first volume of this work was written by Giovanni Paolo Marana (1642-1693), a Genoese
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
political refugee to the French court of Louis XIV. The first volume (102 letters) was published in several parts between 1684 and 1686 in both Italian and in a French translation. They were translated by William Bradshaw
William Bradshaw
William Bradshaw VC , born in Thurles, County Tipperary, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:He served during the Crimean War in the 50th Regiment of...
into English in 1687 under the supervision of Robert Midgley who owned the copyright of the work. The remaining seven volumes appeared first in English between 1691 and 1694, prefaced with a letter claiming that they were translated from a discovered Italian manuscript. A French edition of the last seven volumes (with the first) was published in 1696-7 and asserting that it was a translation from the English. The eight volumes contain 644 letters.
There has long been a controversy as to the authorship of the volumes subsequent to Marana's first. They have been attributed to many writers, most notably Robert Midgley and William Bradshaw who produced the English translation. However, given the similarities between the letters, and the stylistic coherence of the whole series, the likeliest author is Marana himself. Marana may have had difficulty in getting the later volumes published in France and turned to England to secure their continuing appearance.
The volumes contain fictional letters written by one "Mahmut the Arabian." The letters cover the period of 1637 to 1682 in France, from the last years of the Regency of Anne of Austria
Anne of Austria
Anne of Austria was Queen consort of France and Navarre, regent for her son, Louis XIV of France, and a Spanish Infanta by birth...
and Cardinal Richelieu through the long reign of Louis XIV and his minister Cardinal Mazarin. The Letters form a rambling journal of gossip on current politics and satire on society. Mahmut sends reports from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
on politics and current events in France, but corresponds privately on other subjects including religion, and adds stories and anecdotes for diversion. His observations range from those on political figures such as Richelieu and Mazarin to speculations on the status of women, advice about state policy, and major interventions in controversies about religious doctrine and their consequences. His political position in the letters changes from that of liberal Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
to that of a rationalistic Deist
Deism
Deism in religious philosophy is the belief that reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for organized religion, can determine that the universe is the product of an all-powerful creator. According to deists, the creator does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the...
.
The work was popular throughout the 18th century and went through fifteen complete editions by 1801. Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe , born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain and along with others such as Richardson,...
was attracted to the deist rationalist sympathies of the purported spy; his Continuation of Turkish Letters Writ by a Turkish Spy in Paris (1718) extended the narrator's account from 1687 to 1693.
External links
- Full text of the 1770 edition at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...