Commonplace book, circa 1780-1806.

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Commonplace book, circa 1780-1806.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/702183974

Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of over a hundred pieces of practical and scientific information, domestic and medical recipes, epigrams, epitaphs, and sentimental and satirical poems, taken from such publications as the Gentleman's Magazine, Kentish Gazette, London Magazine, Annual Register, and Universal Spectator. The verses in the manuscript include Ode on the death of Dr. Boyce; A Comparison between a beautiful lady & truth extracted from Rev. William Mason's poem on truth; Winter, a pastoral; a parody of the Lord's Prayer; and a verse epitaph to William Cowper written by William Hayley. Dos-a-dos, the volume includes numerous original poems written to friends and family members, including "On the receipt of a snuff-box left me by my Mother Sarah Spence who was born Jany 27 1753, married May 15 1776, & died Jany 29 1788"; a poem on his father's birthday; and another to his sister Mrs. Hardy on the birthday of her son, Robert Spence Hardy. Elsewhere, the volume explains how to charge a cannon and how to keep lamp oil from smoking; provides an extract from Darwin's Notes on the Botanic Garden; and mentions Benjamin Franklin's experiments with the properties of lightning. The volume also contains recipes to make such things as ink, "pleasant rich wine," boot blacking, sealing wax, and insect repellent; narratives of the origins of nuns, harlots, armorial bearings, Jesuits, and monks; and a chart tallying the number of books, chapters, verses, words, and letters contained in the Old and New Testaments.

1 v. (172 p.) ; 20 cm.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 8026245

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bs9j71 (person)

Benjamin Franklin FRS FRSA FRSE (January 17, 1706 [O.S. January 6, 1706] – April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a drafter and signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and the first United States postmaster general. As a scientist, he was a major figure in ...

Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6q63cm5 (person)

Charles Robert Darwin was born on February 12, 1809 in Shrewsbury, England. His father, Robert Waring Darwin (1766-1848), was a physician, the son of Erasmus Darwin (1731-1802), a poet, philosopher, and naturalist. Robert established a successful medical practice in Shrewsbury where he was known for his kindness extended to the poor. He was financially quite successful and willing to support his sons in their various endeavors. Although not a prolific writer, he was elected to the Royal Society ...

Spence, W. G.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67w6zkf (person)

Mason, William, 1725-1797

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68w3j92 (person)

English poet. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Nuneham, to William Burgh, 1777 Oct. 27. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270606797 From the description of Autograph letter signed : Aston, to Dr. Charles Burney, 1789 June 8. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270605470 From the description of Sonnet : [n.p.] : autograph manuscript unsigned, 1796 May 24. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270609611 From the description of Autograph letter signed : York...

Hayley, William, 1745-1820

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63x8b6x (person)

English poet and biographer of Cowper. From the description of Transcript of William Cowper's poem To Giovanni Battista Manso, Marquis of Villa, undated [ca. 1803?] (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 750522032 From the description of From manuscripts in Cowper's hand : transcripts of poems, undated [ca. 1798-1820]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 750468911 William Hayley was an English writer, best known as the friend and biographer of William Cowper. Hayley won the fame...