Let's be clear from the start: this isn't a joke book. You won't find a list of 18th-century punchlines. Instead, History of English Humour, Vol. 2 is a guided tour through the changing landscape of what made England laugh during the 1700s.

The Story

Author A. G. K. L'Estrange picks up where his first volume left off, focusing squarely on the 18th century. He argues that humor evolved from the boisterous, physical comedy of earlier times into something sharper, more intellectual, and deeply tied to public life. The book walks you through this transformation. You'll see how the rise of newspapers and magazines created new platforms for wit. You'll meet the literary giants of the age—Swift, Pope, Addison, and Steele—not just as great writers, but as masters of satire who used humor as a weapon against hypocrisy and bad politics. L'Estrange shows how their work, and the work of playwrights and essayists, reflected the anxieties and obsessions of a society navigating new ideas about class, manners, and power.

Why You Should Read It

I loved how this book made me see familiar history in a new light. We study the 18th century for its revolutions and philosophies, but looking at it through the lens of humor is uniquely revealing. When L'Estrange breaks down a passage from Swift's Gulliver's Travels or a line from Pope, he's not just doing literary analysis; he's showing how laughter was a form of social commentary. It connects the dots in a satisfying way. You start to understand that the sarcastic political meme you scrolled past today has a direct ancestor in an 18th-century pamphlet. The writing is old-fashioned, sure, but L'Estrange's enthusiasm is contagious. He's clearly a fan of this material, and his explanations help bridge the gap between then and now.

Final Verdict

This is a niche read, but a rewarding one. It's perfect for history buffs, literature lovers, or anyone curious about the social role of comedy. If you enjoy podcasts or shows about the origins of ideas, you'll likely enjoy this deep dive. It's not a breezy beach read—you have to be in the mood for some academic pacing—but the insights are worth it. Think of it as a backstage pass to the minds of some of history's wittiest people, with a thoughtful historian as your backstage guide.