READING FOR WEEK 2

Summary of Arthur Sullivan, Cox and Box (1866)

James John Cox and John James Box both rent a room in a lodging house owned by Sergeant Bouncer, a retired military man. Cox is a hatter (he makes hats), and is out at work all day; Box is a printer who works for a newspaper, and is out at work all night. Knowing this, Bouncer gives them the same room, adjusting the items in it twice a day so that both men think they are the only occupant. Cox and Box are both a little suspicious, as sometimes they find that their things go missing. But both conclude that it must be Bouncer who is taking their things.

One day Cox gets an unexpected holiday and comes home in the morning. He and Box meet in the room for the first time, and quarrel over whose room it is. They complain to Bouncer, who explains his trick, and says he will prepare another room for one of them. But first they have to wait in the room. Cox and Box soon become friends and start singing together. Cox tells Box that he is engaged to a rich widow, though he is not happy about the idea of marrying her. It turns out that Box had been engaged to the same woman, Penelope Ann Wiggins, three years earlier, and he was so unhappy that he faked a suicide to escape the marriage. Cox argues that, as Box is actually still alive, it is he who should now marry Mrs. Wiggins! Box disagrees, insisting that Cox should marry her. They consider fighting a duel, but then play dice to decide who should be getting married. Both of them cheat outrageously, and quarrel.

A letter then arrives to say that Mrs. Wiggins has been killed in a sailing accident, and has left all her money to “her intended husband.” Cox and Box quarrel again, as they both think they should get the money! A second letter arrives to say that the first letter reported a mistake: Mrs. Wiggins is still alive. Now, again, they both say the other person should marry her. A third letter arrives to say that Mrs. Wiggins knows that Cox does not love her, and she is going to marry a Mr. Knox instead. Cox and Box are now relieved and happy, and can be friends again. They decide to share the room. At the very end they suddenly realize that they are “long lost” brothers!