Manuscript, in Walpole's hand, of drafts, with numerous emendations, of five lighthearted and occasionally satirical fairy tales. The first tale, titled A new Arabian night's entertainment, is a parody of the relationship between Scheherezade and Shahryar in the frame tale of The Arabian Nights. The second tale, titled The king and his three daughters, concerns the political and dynastic problems of a kingdom in which the king's eldest daughter does not exist. The third tale, titled The Dice-box and annotated, "translated from the French translation of the Countess of Daunois for the entertainment of Miss Caroline Campbell," is a fantastic tale of a nine-year-old girl named Pissimissi, the elephant and ladybird which draw her car, and her encounter with King Solomon. The fourth tale, titled The peach in brandy: a milesian tale, addresses the dynastic problems of a country with Irish connotations. The fifth and final tale, titled The bird's nest, describes the fantastic dream of Guzalme, Queen of Serendip
Description:
In English., Typed transcripts of the fifth tale included with manuscript., and The fifth and sixth tales publised as Hieroglyphic tales (Strawberry Hill Press, 1785) are not included in this manuscript.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797.
Subject (Topic):
Fairy tales, Nonsense literature, English, Parodies, English, and Satire, English
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a book of instruction for the author's daughter. Although the volume contains information on parts of speech, explanations of the meanings of words in the English language, basic mathematics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, systems of government, and numerous prayers and meditations, the bulk of the volume is given to instruction on letter-writing and astronomy. The manuscript contains guidelines for how to address a queen, a duchess, or someone of one's own station; how to end letters; and how to write a "billet"; as well as form letters of thanks, consolation, recommendation, "congratulation for the recovery of health," and "to a lady newly come to London." The section on astronomy includes 7 diagrams and includes information on the positions of the planets, the phases of the moon, and eclipses
Description:
Stanhope, Philip, second earl of Chesterfield (1633-1714), courtier and politician, was the eldest son of Henry Stanhope (d. 1634), and his wife Katherine (bap. 1609, d. 1667). He was involved in numerous duels, fleeing the country after having killed Francis Wolley, the son of a Hammersmith doctor, in a duel on 17 January 1660. Chesterfield was appointed on 24 February 1662 as lord chamberlain to Queen Catherine of Braganza, and on 13 June 1667 was made the colonel of a foot regiment, but it was disbanded following the treaty of Breda. That year he married his third wife, Lady Elizabeth Dormer (1653-1677). They had two sons and two daughters, one of whom was Lady Mary Stanhope, for whom the manuscript was written. He continued to be active in politics, supporting his tory son-in-law Thomas Coke in Derbyshire elections in 1701-2., Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke, eldest daughter of Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, married Thomas Coke of Melbourne, Derbyshire., In English., Note on verso of front endpaper: See 'a Prayer after the confession of sins.' and 'a Prayer for the Dead." both at the end of this M.S. 1814., Inscription on verso of front endpaper: Cecil Henry Southwell the gift of his dear Papa., Written on flyleaf: notes written by Thomas, 3rd Baron Southwell concerning the genealogy of the Stanhope family, including a biography of Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke and her daughter, Mary Baroness Southwell. He mentions that Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke was his great-grandmother., Written on verso of flyleaf: note by Mary Southwell dated 1756 explaining the manuscript was used to instruct her mother in "what was proper for a young Lady to know," and bequeathing the volume to her granddaughter Frances upon her death., Bookplate of Viscount Thomas Southwell, 3rd Baron Southwell., Marbled endpapers., and Binding: full calf; gilt decoration. Printed on spine: 1st Earl of Chesterfield to his D. L. M. Coke.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Aristotle., Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope, Earl of, 1633-1713., Cicero, Marcus Tullius., Coke, Mary Stanhope, Lady, 1664-1703., Homer., Southwell family., and Southwell, Thomas Southwell, Baron, 1721-1780.
Subject (Topic):
Astronomy, Letter writing, Nobility, Social life and customs, Women, Conduct of life, and Education
Manuscript, in a single hand, of an inventory of the furniture belonging to Lord Montgomerie in November 1809. The items are arranged by floor and room-by-room, including all living areas, bedrooms, dressing rooms, servants rooms, sundries, attics, kitchen, pastry, scullery, bake house, salt beef cellar, larder, laundry, garden, and stables; and include such items as all types of furniture, grates, cupboards, feather beds and "hair" beds, often with descriptions of the style or materials used
Description:
Hugh Montgomerie, twelfth earl of Eglinton (1739-1819), politician and army officer, was the son of Alexander Montgomerie (d. 1783) of Coilsfield, Ayrshire, the "Castle of Montgomerie" celebrated by Robert Burns., In English., Bookseller's label on inside front cover: Myers & Co. 80 New Bond Street, London W1., and Binding: half calf over marbled boards. On front cover: "General Inventory" printed in gilt on red morocco label.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Coilsfield House (Ayrshire, Scotland), Eglinton, Hugh Montgomerie, Earl of, 1739-1819., and Montgomery family.
Subject (Topic):
Households, House furnishings, Nobility, and Inventories
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a description of the author's tour through France and Italy in 1770, traveling with his master Robert Fellowes and Thomas Durrant, and recording his interactions with the inhabitants, curious sights, local hygienic practices, and traveling conditions. At one point he writes that he fell 14 times from his horse, while in Aquapendente he witnesses a postboy beating the horses "in a most unmerciful manner." In Bologna, he records news of banditti "which infested this part of the Country consisting of upwards of 40 men." He also climbs Mount Vesuvius "about two years since there was a dreadful eruption," where he walks on rough lava and ashes "in many places knee deep." Elsewhere, he notes the practice in Italy of hanging ladies' negligees out of coach windows and the presence of lice on the Italian nobility; and expresses his regret at the lack of diversions during this season of the year, as he should have been "very glad to have been here at the time of the Carnival when all kinds of diversions are allowed, such as Plays, Operas, Maskings, Horseraces &c." and At the conclusion of the manuscript, the author describes his return to England in excellent health and his gratitude to his "indulgent master" Mr. Durrant; addresses the manuscript to his father; and signs it "J Deeker London March 12th 1770." Bound in throughout the manuscript are 13 maps, colored in red and green representing stages of the author's journey, and 11 pen and wash drawings of such scenes as Trajan's pillar at Rome; Remains of three taverns where St Paul met his friends; and the Palace of the duke of Tuscany at Florence. A wash drawing entitled "Mons. D-r [Deeker] riding post", probably copied from Henry William Bunbury's print "Courier francois", is also bound in.
Description:
James Deeker was one of the first aeronauts in England. His hot-air balloon ascent in Norwich in June, 1785, was witnessed by Horace's nephew, George, the 3rd Earl of Orford., In English., Index of places visited at end of manuscript, as well as a mileage chart and a "List of Painters &c." which lists artists' names and brief biographies., On flyleaves, two pages in pencil recording "Interesting Remarks" and their page numbers., Autograph in pencil on flyleaf: ER Pratt. April 1812., Bookplate of Roger Pratt. Written in pencil on bookplate: Ryston Hall. Norfolk., and Binding: full reverse calf. Marbled endpapers. Stamped on spine: Deeker's Journal. Written on spine: 1770.
Subject (Geographic):
Europe., Europe, France, Italy, and Vesuvius (Italy)
Subject (Name):
Deeker, James.
Subject (Topic):
Grand tours (Education), Tourism, Travelers' writings, English, Ruins, Social life and customs, and Description and travel
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a letter from Mason to Horace Walpole, in which Mason writes that he has read Walpole's tragedic play, The Mysterious Mother, several times and has provided a sketch of alterations he believes necessary to improve the denouement. The list of alterations accompanies the letter, which consist of dialogic emendations at specific page and line numbers. At the end of the letter, a note signed by Walpole states his reasons against adopting Mason's suggestions, "because they woud totally have destroyed my Object."
Description:
William Mason (1724-1797) was a poet, editor, and gardener. In 1747, his poem "Musaeus, a Monody on the Death of Mr. Pope" was published to acclaim and quickly went through several editions. In 1775, he published the Poems of Mr Gray, a friend who was a great influence on his own work. Ten years later, William Pitt nominated him for the post of Poet Laureate, but he turned it down. Among Mason's other works are the historical tragedies Elfrida (1752) and Caractacus (1759), as well as a long poem on gardening, The English Garden (1772-1782). Indeed, Mason was an influential garden designer, designing several flower gardens for his friends and patrons, especially for Richard Hurd, Lord Jersey, and Lord Harcourt. In 1797 he fell and injured his leg while entering his carriage, and died several days later at his rectory in Aston., In English., Typed transcript available in object file., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Mason, William, 1725-1797. and Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797.
Subject (Topic):
English drama (Tragedy), Family, Incest, Religion, and Theater
Manuscript on paper, in a single hand, of copies of 20 letters from Alured Clarke to Charlotte, Lady Sundon, followed by copies of 4 letters to her from Lord John Hervey and one letter from an unsigned hand. Many of the letters from Clarke concern his patronage of the poet Stephen Duck, in which he discusses his anxiety about exposing Duck to the cruelty of Alexander Pope and "the Dunciad Club," his negotiations with various booksellers and publishers on Duck's behalf, and his high hopes for Duck's poetry after the death of Duck's wife. He also describes books on religion, history, and moral philosophy that he has read; witnesses a presentation of "Indians" to the Queen; and imparts various religious and political news, including Quaker activities. The letters from Hervey consist primarily of descriptions of his own routine social activities as well as those of such notables as the King, Queen, and Duke of Grafton, though he also writes with surprise that Stanislaus has been chosen King of Poland and reports that Benjamin Hoadly, Bishop of Salisbury, is on the brink of being promoted to the bishopric of Winchester, despite his disagreements with Sir Robert Walpole. An unsigned letter dated 1734, sent "by a private hand," discusses the controversial nomination of Thomas Rundle to the see of Gloucester
Description:
Charlotte Clayton, Lady Sundon (c.1679-1742), courtier, married William Clayton (baptised. 1671, died 1752) of Sundon Hall in Bedfordshire before 1714. With the help of the Duchess of Marlborough, Charlotte Clayton was appointed a woman of the bedchamber to Caroline, princess of Wales in 1714. Her considerable influence over Caroline was distressing to Robert Walpole, who accused Clayton of procuring various political favors for her friends., Alured Clarke (1696-1742), was a Church of England clergyman. Ordained by his uncle Bishop Trimnell in 1720, in 1723 he became rector of Chilbolton in Hampshire and a prebendary of Winchester. He was a chaplain-in-ordinary to both George I and George II; in 1731, he became a prebendary of Westminster. Later he became deputy clerk of the closet to George II. Clarke was also a patron; he founded a county hospital at Winchester in 1736 and was a champion of the poet Stephen Duck., John Hervey, second Baron Hervey of Ickworth (1696-1743), was a courtier and writer. On 2 April 1725 he was elected MP for Bury St Edmunds, and entered the Commons as a supporter of Sir Robert Walpole. In 1730, he became vice-chamberlain to the king's household and, consequently, a member of the privy council; and, in 1740, lord privy seal. However, in 1742 Walpole resigned, and that same year Hervey also left public office. He wrote numerous tracts, including Ancient and Modern Liberty Stated and Compared (1734); The Conduct of the Opposition and the Tendency of Modern Patriotism (1734); and Miscellaneous Thoughts (1742). Hervey's Memoirs were published, with some material suppressed, in 1848, and a more complete version was published in 1931., In English., Pasted onto back pastedown: dealer's description of manuscript., Phillipps 18548., Binding: full calf. In gilt on spine: Clarke Sundon Letters., and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain. and Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Clarke, Alured, 1696-1742., Duck, Stephen, 1705-1756., Bristol, John Hervey, Earl of, 1665-1751., Hervey, John Hervey, Baron, 1696-1743., Hoadly, Benjamin, 1676-1761., Rundle, Thomas, 1688?-1743., Stanisław I Leszczyński, King of Poland, 1677-1766., Sundon, Charlotte Clayton, Baroness, d. 1742, Walpole, Robert, Earl of Orford, 1676-1745., and Church of England
Subject (Topic):
Bishops, Clergy, Appointment, call, and election, Authors and patrons, Nobility, Social life and customs, and Politics and government
Manuscript, in Walpole's hand, containing primarily the beginnings and endings of various sections of the memoirs of political characters and events during the reign of King George II. The focus of the collection, however, is on the drawings and engraved headpieces and tailpieces which appear on these pages. These include a pen drawing by Richard Bentley of Walpole presenting the work to Democritus, with his villa at Strawberry Hill behind him; the head of George II by Johann Muntz, set in a headpiece designed by Bentley; and engravings of William Murray; Henry Pelham; Thomas Pelham-Holles; and Archibald Campbell, many also set in pieces drawn by Bentley. The collection also contains a pencil drawing of Henry Lord Holland, with the annotation, "Sr H. Reynolds pinxt"; an appendix explaining the engravings; and a newspaper notice of the death of William Stanhope, Earl of Harrington
Alternative Title:
Memoirs of King George II.
Description:
In English., Available on microfilm, and For further information, consult library staff.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Bentley, R. 1708-1782. (Richard),, Campbell, Archibald, 1691-1756., George II, King of Great Britain, 1683-1760., Harrington, William Stanhope, Earl of, approximately 1690-1756., Holland, Henry Fox, Baron, 1705-1774., Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, 1705-1793., Müntz, Jean-Henri, 1727-1798., Newcastle, Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of, 1693-1768., Pelham, Henry, 1695?-1754., and Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797.
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of 24 records of rosters, pay, allowances, and provisions for the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons under Col. Elisha Sheldon. The volume includes an account of the clothing delivered to each member of the troops, along with their names and ranks; the amounts of provisions of food and drink received for the use of General John Glover; soldiers' pay as directed by Congress; allowances of subsistence money supplied to the officers in lieu of rations for themselves and their servants; as well as muster rolls for each troop in the 2nd Regiment, listing each member's name, rank, term of enlistment, and "casualties." The collection also includes a copy of a letter which requests permission to hire tailors to make clothing for the Army
Description:
Elijah Janes was paymaster of the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, where he served under Col. Elisha Sheldon. He began his military career as a cornet on November 16, 1779 and was promoted to Lieutenant eight days later. He was wounded by a horseman's sword on the right wrist on November 20, 1780, and became Paymaster in 1782. The friendship that developed between Janes and fellow lieutenant in Sheldon's regiment James Dole continued after the war and their move to Lansingburgh (now Troy), NY, where Janes became godfather to Dole's daughter. In 1811 Elijah Janes became one of the original directors of the Farmers Bank of Troy. He died February 22, 1823 at the age of 64 and is buried in the Old Lansingburgh (Troy) Cemetery., On December 12, 1776, Congress constituted the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons at Wethersfield, CT, also known as Sheldon's horse after its commander, Elisha Sheldon of CT, for service with the Continental Army. Congress authorized George Washington to appoint the other officers of the regiment, but he gave the duty to Sheldon. In accordance with General Washington's instructions, the new regiment was to have one other field officer, a major; a regimental staff of an adjutant, a surgeon, and a surgeon's mate; and 6 troops. Each troop was to consist of a captain, a lieutenant, a cornet, a quartermaster, 2 sergeants, 2 corporals, a trumpeter, a farrier, and 34 privates. The regiment saw action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Crooked Billet, and the Battle of Yorktown. The regiment was furloughed June 9, 1783 at Newburgh, New York and disbanded on November 20, 1783., In English., and Binding: half cloth over marbled covers. Pasted on cover: Manuscripts of Lieut. Elijah Janes Paymaster of the Second Regiment of Light Dragoons, 1779-1783. Elisha Sheldon Col.
Subject (Geographic):
United States and Connecticut.
Subject (Name):
Glover, John, 1732-1797., Janes, Elijah 1759-1823., Sheldon, Elisha, 1740-1805., and United States. Continental Army. Light Dragoons Regiment, 2nd.
Subject (Topic):
Military administration, History, Equipment and supplies, Finance, Regimental histories, and Politics and government
Manuscript kennel book listing "whelps bread" from 1708 to 1727, giving sire, dam, and placement for each. A few pages at the back of the book list hounds given by Orlebar to John Biggs, the Duke of Grafton, and the Earl of Halifax between 1716 and 1726
Description:
Richard Orlebar (1671-1733) attended Trinity College, Oxford and was a member of the Middle Temple and a dedicated hunter. He married the heiress Diana Astry in 1708 and the couple built Hinwick Hall in Bedfordshire between 1709 and 1714. Orlebar served as High Sherriff of Bedfordshire in 1720, and died childless at Hinwick Hall in 1733., In English., Accompanied by a twentieth-century typescript carbon, "The Oakley Hunt.", and Binding: contemporary paper, stitched.
Subject (Geographic):
England, Bedfordshire., and Great Britain.
Subject (Name):
Orlebar, Richard, 1671-1733.
Subject (Topic):
Dogs, Breeding, Hunting, Hunting dogs, Bedfordshire (England), and Social life and customs