Miscellany [Commonplace book], [ca. 1750].

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Gifford, Richard, 1725-1807. Miscellany [Commonplace book], [ca. 1750].

Miscellany [Commonplace book], [ca. 1750].

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702175336

Manuscript, in a single hand, of several dozen entries of religious prose meditations and romantic poetry primarily dedicated to women. The meditations concern such topics as foreknowledge in God; the nature of God; and the religious prohibition against eating blood. The poetry, on the other hand, is primarily secular, many focusing on the praise of women's beauty and on their characters. These include such titles as Occasioned by seeing Lady Diana Spenser walking in the Mall; To Miss Sally P-s, inviting her to Cheltenham, where her beauty had been reflected upon; Presented by Lord Percival to the Princess Amelia at Tunbridge Wells; Epitaph on Mrs Mason; and Pastoral ballad. Other poems include Thomas Gray's Elegy in a country church yard and Lady Luxborough's Verses written on a seat at the Leasows. The manuscript also contains a series of Greek and Latin extracts from classical works; several poems pasted in, as well as a statement of Richard Gifford's income from 1801; and a partial index at the end of the manuscript.

1 v. (62 p.) ; 24 x 13 cm.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library