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''The Covent-Garden Journal'' (modernised as ''The Covent Garden Journal'') was an English literary periodical published twice a week for most of 1752. It was edited and almost entirely funded by novelist, playwright, and essayist Henry Fielding, under the pseudonym, "Sir Alexander Drawcansir, Knt. Censor of Great Britain". It was Fielding's fourth and final periodical, and one of his last written works. The ''Journal'' incited the "Paper War" of 1752–1753, a conflict among a number of contemporary literary critics and writers, which began after Fielding declared war on the "armies of Grub Street" in the first issue. His proclamation attracted multiple aggressors and instigated a long-lasting debate argued in the pages of their respective publications. Initially waged for the sake of increasing sales, the Paper War ultimately became much larger than Fielding had expected and generated a huge volume of secondary commentary and literature. Further controversy erupted in June, when Fielding expressed support for a letter decrying the Government's 1751 Disorderly Houses Act in the ''Journal''. His remarks were viewed by the public as an endorsement of the legality of prostitution, and it soon became common opinion that the letter, initially attributed to a "Humphrey Meanwell", was in fact written by Fielding. Fielding refuted this assertion in the 1 August issue of the ''Journal'', while labelling prostitutes a source of social evils. The final issue of the ''Journal'' was released on 25 November 1752. In its last months, poor sales had resulted in a transition from semi-weekly to weekly release. Ill-health and a disinclination to continue led Fielding to end its run after the Number 72 issue. He died two years later while staying in Lisbon, Portugal. ==Background== The first mention of ''The Covent-Garden Journal'' dates to 5 December 1749, when a broadsheet pamphlet was printed with the title "''The Covent-Garden'' Journal. No 1. ''To be published'd Once every Month'', ''during the present'' Westminster Election by Paul Wronghead, of the ''Fleet'', Esq." It was organized as a standard paper, with sections called "Introductory Essay", "Foreign Affairs", "Home Affairs", and "Advertisement". Published with a list of fake printers (T. Smith, R. Webb, and S. Johnson), it claimed that the sellers were "all the People of London and Westminster". It was later revealed that the paper was created as a hoax by the Duke of Bedford to mock Sir George Vandeput, 2nd Baronet and his supporters.〔Battestin and Battestin 1993 pp. 491–492〕 The printer, Richard Francklin, ran off 13,000 copies on 5–6 December, only one of which still survives. Although the true author of the pamphlet remains uncertain, it was believed at the time to be Fielding's work; later critics, such as Martin and Ruthe Battestin, cite a letter written on behalf of the Duke of Richmond that was used as evidence of Fielding's involvement.〔Battestin and Battestin 1993 p. 492〕 Dated 7 December 1749, the letter states: "The enclosed is a paper generally given to Mr. Fielding, as the author. The humor that is in it is at least akin to his. It may possibly divert you & your company."〔Battestin and Battestin 1993 qtd. p. 492〕 Fielding's authorship would have been limited to the paper's introduction, which was used to target prominent Tories such as Paul Whitehead: a minor poet who had pseudonymously attacked Fielding before and was vocal on political issues.〔Battestin and Battestin 1993 pp. 492–493〕 In late 1751, just before the publication of his novel, ''Amelia'', Fielding began plotting his next literary work. He expressed a desire to use a periodical to promote the Universal Register Office – a business which connected service providers with consumers – and his other activities and views. Alluding to the earlier publication, he gave it the title ''The Covent-Garden Journal'', and announced in ''The Daily Advertiser'' that the first number would be issued on 23 November 1751. The release was delayed until January because of work related to the publication of ''Amelia''.〔Battestin and Battestin 1993 pp. 499, 532–533〕 At the time of the publication of the journal, Covent Garden, although formally associated with the theatre industry, was more widely known as London's red light district. Fielding had earlier written ''The Covent Garden Tragedy'', a mock-tragic play concerning the tale of two prostitutes.〔Paulson 2000, p. 89–91〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Covent-Garden Journal」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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