OP and Jewishness

For some time I've been intrigued by the Covent Garden theatre riots which took place in the Autumn of 1809. More recently my research has been focused on the perception of Jewishness which surrounded the so-called 'OP War'.

Some background. On Monday 9 October 1809 John Philip Kemble, lead actor and part owner of Covent Garden Theatre, introduced Jewish boxers (typically referred to by contemporaries as 'ruffians') into the pit in order to suppress the riots. Such was the public indignation against these (to use a present-day term) 'bouncers', that the group (led by the noted boxer Daniel Mendoza) were hardly seen in the theatre after the following Monday. Nonetheless letters, pamphlets and satires continued to associate resistance to Old Prices with Jewishness for some weeks. Moreover, the motivations of Kemble became associated with Jewish traits. My thesis, in sum, is that this notion of Jewish influence is a subtle yet significant narrative of the riots, perpetuated by the print media in order to make sense of the riots. Despite the lack of factual veracity, letters and satires speaking to Jewish influence illustrate a powerful virtual construction of OP. So powerful indeed, that Kemble's career prior to taking ownership of Covent Garden theatre became satirically recast as somehow 'Jewish'. This explains, therefore, why Kemble becomes 'Mr Jew Kemble'.

Today, I stumbled across the following letter which is of particular importance to my research because it the only letter I have found (thus far) which illustrates the pervasiveness of the Jewish narrative of OP whilst defending London's Jewish community. Historians are quite used to studying stereotypes and prejudice through sources which seek to marginalise minority or non-domestic groups. Rarely however are we offered a glimpse of these processes from an alternative (rational) perspective. I must admit, I'm rather excited...



The Morning Chronicle, Wednesday, October 18, 1809

            For the MORNING CHRONICLE
        MR. EDITOR,
    Considering the independency and impartiality of your Journal, I flatter myself you will give a corner to the following observations, by setting aside a prejudice that seems to pervade the public mind against the Jews.
    I allude to the present question at issue between the Managers of Covent-garden Theatre and the Public; now, Sir, I say if the Managers have been mean enough to cringe to the lowest and worst orders of society, for protecting their imposition, I cannot see why the Jews should be singled out from the rest of the disorderly. Where is the sect to be found that ever was, or are, unanimous in the virtue of their body politic? To find a diversity, we have Mr. Harris to thank, for he has certainly brought forward the dregs of the community; therefore, in justice to Mr. H. we ought to recognise him as leaders of the band. As to the Jews that are admitted by orders, I am sure not one fourth of them are in favour of the Managers, for they have still in memory the usage of Kemble against Braham. Is it then not prejudice, to call in question some of the most honourable characters of the Jews, on account of a few hired fighting fellows. Surely we live in an age of reason; let us not run back from civilization to refer to the blood-stained pages of the dark ages of persecution; let us not be unjust to a Jew, for no other reason than he being a Jew.
    Odium is generally levelled by those who can the least account for the antipathy, but the citizen of the world looks impartially for the man.
        I am; Sir, your constant Reader,
            COSMOPOLITE



EDIT: it is worth adding that the print which adorns the background of my blog is in response to the OP war. Little of the print relates to Jewishness as far as I can tell. But if anyone spots a connection, do tell.