James Harrington

Verse

Vpon the state of Nature
('The state of Nature neuer was so raw')

First published in John Aubrey, Brief Lives, ed. Andrew Clark, 2 vols (Oxford, 1898), I, 294. George Watson, James Harrington: A Last Apology for Poetry, MLN, 71 (1956), 170-2.

*HaJ 1

Autograph of a six-line poem by Harrington, subscribed by Aubrey By Mr James Harrington Esq, autor Oceanae, whose handwriting this is, on a single quarto leaf.

In: A folio composite volume of miscellaneous collections of John Aubrey (1626-97), i + 120 leaves. Late 17th century.

Edited from this MS in Clark and in Watson. Facsimile in IELM, II.i (1987), Facsimile XXIIa, after p. xxiv.

HaJ 1.5

Copy, transcribed from HaJ 1.

In: A quarto volume of copies of correspondence of John Aubrey, FRS (1626-97), antiquary and biographer, transcribed from originals in the Bodleian Library. Early 19th century.

Prose

The Commonwealth of Oceana

First published in London, 1656. Toland, pp. 31-211. Pocock, pp. 155-359.

HaJ 2

Extracts.

In: An octavo miscellany, compiled by Johann Michael Wansleben (1635-79). c.1661.

Later in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MS 18428. Sotheby's, 28 June 1965, lot 61, to Miss [Winifred] Myers. Probably the Phillipps volume sold at Sotheby's 29 April 1903, lot 529, to Dobell.

The Prerogative of Popular Government

First published, in two parts, in London, 1657-8. Toland, pp. 213-357. Pocock, pp. 389-566.

HaJ 3
In: An octavo miscellany, compiled by Johann Michael Wansleben (1635-79). c.1661.

Later in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt (1792-1872), manuscript and book collector: Phillipps MS 18428. Sotheby's, 28 June 1965, lot 61, to Miss [Winifred] Myers. Probably the Phillipps volume sold at Sotheby's 29 April 1903, lot 529, to Dobell.

Letters

Letter(s)
*HaJ 4

Autograph letter signed by Harrington, to John Aubrey, cancelling an appointment, 16 February 1669[/70].

In: A folio composite volume of letters to John Aubrey, ii + 357 leaves.

Edited in H.F. Russell Smith, Harrington and his Oceana (Cambridge, 1914), p. 127. Facsimile in IELM, II.i (1987), Facsimile XXIIb, after p. xxiv.

HaJ 5

Copy of James Harington's letter to John Aubrey, 16 February 1669[/70] (HaJ 4).

In: A quarto volume of copies of correspondence of John Aubrey, FRS (1626-97), antiquary and biographer, transcribed from originals in the Bodleian Library. Early 19th century.
HaJ 6

Autograph letter signed by Harrington, to Sir William Petty, c.March 1675[/6].

A formal letter of request, reminding Sir William Petty that in March 1675 he had offered to show to him, Sir Robert Boyle and Sir Christopher Wren a cleare and easy experiment…more intimately concerning the good of man kinde than any other hetherto contained in the writings or known experience of any of the philosophers, his only condition being that they would furnish him with a suitable place to show it (such as some open grown[d] or rather some flat roofe of any building) and an instrument (which would not cost aboue six pounds.

In: A folio composite volume of scientific and other papers of Sir William Petty (1623-87), natural philosopher, 138 leaves.

Volume XLIX of the Petty Papers, formerly owned by the Earl of Shelburne, Bowood House.

A microfilm of this MS is in Bodleian, Film dep. 937.

Formerly Petty Papers, Box H, No. 21.