Folger Shakespeare Library
CELM

The British Library: Additional MSS, numbers 4101 through 4999

  • Add. MS 4106

    A folio composite volume of state papers, in various hands, mostly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 276 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco.

    • RaW 849 f. 59r-v

      Copy of a letter by Ralegh to Robert Cecil, 1601, in the hand of Thomas Birch.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)
    • BcF 560 f. 72r-v

      Copy of a letter by Bacon, to Lord Henry Howard, in a secretary hand.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • BcF 561 ff. 75r-v

      Another copy of a letter by Bacon, to Lord Henry Howard, 3 December 1599, in a secretary hand.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • RaW 850 f. 81r

      Copy of a letter by Ralegh to Robert Carr, in a secretary hand.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)
    • RaW 751 ff. 82r-3v

      Copy, with alterations, in a cursive predominantly italic hand, untitled, on the first page of a pair of conjugate folio leaves, endorsed Sr Walt Raleighs last words on ye Scaffold.

      Transcripts of Ralegh's speech have been printed in his Remains (London, 1657). Works (1829), I, 558-64, 691-6. VIII, 775-80, and elsewhere. Copies range from verbatim transcripts to summaries of the speech, they usually form part of an account of Ralegh's execution, they have various headings, and the texts differ considerably. For relevant discussions, see Anna Beer, Textual Politics: The Execution of Sir Walter Ralegh, Modern Philology, 94:1 (August 1996), 19-38, and Andrew Fleck, At the time of his death: Manuscript Instability and Walter Ralegh's Performance on the Scaffold, Journal of British Studies, 48:1 (January 2009), 4-28.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Speech on the Scaffold (29 October 1618)
    • BcF 448 f. 124r

      Copy of Bacon's submission, 12 March 1620/1 (here dated 9 Martij. 1620), in a secretary hand, on one side of a folio leaf.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
    • CtR 155 ff. 132r-4v

      Copy, in a probably professional predominantly secretary hand, as by Sr Robt Cotton: feb. 1627.

      Tract beginning As soon as the house of Austria had incorporated it self into the house of Spaine.... First published London, 1628. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. 308-20.

      Sir Robert Cotton, The Danger wherein this Kingdome now Standeth, and the Remedy
    • MaA 520 ff. 166r-76v

      Copy, in a cursive hand, evidently transcribed from a printed text, on eleven quarto leaves, imperfect.

      This MS recorded in Legouis.

      First published in Amsterdam, 1677. Thompson, II, 555-83. Marvell's authorship rejected by Grosart and by Legouis, pp. 468-9.

      Andrew Marvell, A Seasonable Argument to perswade all the Grand Juries in England, to petition for A New Parliament
    • BcF 562 passim

      Copies of various letters by Bacon, to James I, Buckingham, and others, in the hand of Thomas Birch, on pages including ff. 92r-8v, 100r-11r.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4107

    A composite volume of transcripts by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, of state papers for 1598-1745, 289 leaves.

    Mid-18th century.
    • ClE 135 ff. 23r-4v

      Copy.

      Letters by Clarendon to his daughter Anne (who died on 31 March 1671 before the letter arrived) and to her husband, the Duke of York (later James II), on the occasion of her conversion to Roman Catholicism. The original letters, which received particular attention by his contemporaries because of their subject matter, are not known to survive.

      These were first published in Two Letters written by … Edward Earl of Clarendon … one to His Royal Highness the Duke of York, the other to the Dutchess, occasioned by her Embracing the Roman Catholic Religion (London, [1680?]) and were reprinted in State Tracts (1689), in An Appendix to the History of the Grand Rebellion (Oxford, 1724), pp. 313-24, and elsewhere.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Letters to the Duke of York and the Duchess of York
    • BcF 562.5 ff. 72r 75r

      Two copies of Bacon's letter to Lord Henry Howard, 3 December 1599.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4108

    A small folio volume of state letters, in a probably professional secretary hand, ii + 114 leaves, in half-morocco.

    c.1625-30s.

    Later owned by John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor. Bought at his sale in 1764 by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian (whose signature on f. iir is actually dated 26 September 1763).

    • LyJ 20 f. 5r-v

      Copy, headed A petitionary letter from Jo: Lilly to Queene Elizabeth.

      Beginning Most Gratious and dread Soveraigne: I dare not pester yor Highnes wth many wordes.... Written probably in 1598. Bond, I, 64-5. Feuillerat, pp. 556-7.

      John Lyly, A petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth
    • LyJ 42 ff. 5v-6r

      Copy, headed To Queene Elizabeth. Another Letter to Queen Eliz. from Jo: Lilly.

      Beginning Most gratious and dread Soveraigne: Tyme cannott worke my peticons, nor my peticons the tyme.... Written probably in 1601. Bond, I, 70-1. Feuillerat, pp. 561-2.

      John Lyly, A second petitionary letter to Queen Elizabeth
    • BcF 563 ff. 13v-17r

      Copy of three letters of advice by Bacon to the Earl of Essex.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • BcF 178 ff. 17v-20v

      Copy, subscribed ffran: Bacon.

      First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, X, 46-51.

      Francis Bacon, Considerations touching the Queen's Service in Ireland
    • BcF 449 ff. 47r-8r

      Copy of Bacon's humble submission, 22 April 1622.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
    • RaW 851 ff. 111r-14v

      Copy of letters by Ralegh to Winwood and James I.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)
    • BcF 564 passim

      Copy of various letters by Bacon, to Essex, Cecil, Egerton, James I, Sir John Davies, Coke, Northumberland, Buckhurst and others, on pages including ff. 15v-17v, 38r, 40v-6v, 52r-5r, and 58v-9r.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4128

    A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers relating to Queen Elizabeth, Francis Bacon and the Earl of Essex, predominantly in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 44 leaves.

    Chiefly mid-18th century.
    • EsR 186 ff. 9r-10r

      Copy, in Birch's hand, transcribed from EsR 0000.

      A prose meditation beginning Since that tyme the sonne hath gone about the world and inspired liefe... and ending ...wch is noe guift, except ye ptie wch psenteth the guift be given wth it. Unpublished?

    • CmT 92 f. 14r

      Copy, headed Verses made by Mr. Fra. Bacon, in Birch's hand.

      Edited from this MS in Joiner. Collated in Davis, p. 493.

      First published in A Booke of Ayres (London, 1601), No. xviii. Davis, p. 43 (also p. 60).

      Thomas Campion, 'The man of life upright'
    • EsR 32 f. 14v

      Copy, in Birch's hand, transcribed from EsR 0000.

      May, Poems, p. 47. May, Courtier Poets, p. 254. EV 24641.

      Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Verses made by the Earle of Essex in his Trouble ('The waies on earth have paths and turnings knowne')
    • EsR 110 ff. 29r-42v

      Copy, in a secretary hand, untitled.

      First published, addressed to Anthony Bacon, as An Apologie of the Earle of Essex, against those which jealously and maliciously tax him to be the hinderer of the peace and quiet (London, [1600]), but immediately suppressed. Reprinted in 1603.

    • EsR 7 f. 35r

      Copy, transcribed from Harley MS 35, p. 338 (EsR 8).

      May, Poems, No. 7, p. 47. May, Courtier Poets, p. 254. EV 8176.

      Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, 'Happy were Hee could finish foorth his Fate'

  • Add. MS 4129

    A folio composite volume of state tracts and verses, in two or more hands, 18 leaves, in 19th-century half-calf on marbled boards.

    Collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • EsR 111 ff. 1r-15r

      Copy, in a predominantly italic hand.

      First published, addressed to Anthony Bacon, as An Apologie of the Earle of Essex, against those which jealously and maliciously tax him to be the hinderer of the peace and quiet (London, [1600]), but immediately suppressed. Reprinted in 1603.

  • Add. MS 4130

    A quarto composite volume of state papers and printed material relating to Queen Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex, in various hands, ff. 3r-87r in the neat secretary hand possibly of one M. K. whose initials appear on the title-page (f. 3r), 161 leaves, with a table of contents (ff. 4r-5v), in modern half-morocco.

    Collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Early 17th century-1630s.

    Inscribed (f. 2r) Rd Bankes Anno Dni 1708; (f. 1r) Tho: Birch Januarii 8. 1752; and (f. 96r) Tho. Birch 28. Janua: 1754.

    • ElQ 90 f. 32r-v

      Copy, headed The Prayer wch Sr Robert Cicill sent to the Earle of Essex wth afore written letters made by the Queene Elizabeth.

      Beginning Most omnipotent Maker and Guider of all our world's mass, that only searchest and fathomest.... Collected Works, Prayer 38, pp. 425-6. Selected Works, Prayer 4, pp. 254-6 (as For the success of the expedition against Spain, June 1596).

      Queen Elizabeth I, On the Sailing of the Cadiz Expedition, May 1596
    • RaW 852 ff. 82r-3v

      Copy of a letter by Ralegh to James I.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)
    • HoJ 281 f. 92r-v

      Copy, in a secretary hand, headed Jo: Hoskyns / Ad Regem.

      This MS cited in Osborn.

      Osborn, No. XXXII (pp. 203-4).

      John Hoskyns, Jacobo Magnæ Britanniæ Regi Maximo, Clementissimo ('Jam mihi bis centum fluxere in carcere noctes')
    • HoJ 257 f. 92v

      Copy, in a secretary hand.

      Edited from this MS in Osborn.

      Osborn, No. XXX (pp. 202-3).

      John Hoskyns, Ad chutum & sharpum ('Chute meæ infoelix consors et Acute ruinæ')
    • HoJ 237 f. 93v

      Copy, in a secretary hand, headed Ad Beniaminu filium and here beginning Sweete Beniamin, whilest thowe art younge.

      This MS recorded in Osborn.

      Osborn, No. XXXI (p. 203).

      John Hoskyns, To his Son Benedict Hoskins ('Sweet Benedict whilst thou art younge')
    • HoJ 101 ff. 93v-4v

      Copy, in a secretary hand, headed Insomniu.

      Osborn, No. XXXIV (pp. 206-8). Whitlock, pp. 480-2.

      A shortened version of the poem, of lines 43-68, beginning the worst is tolld, the best is hidd and ending he errd but once, once king forgiue, was widely circulated.

      John Hoskyns, A Dreame ('Me thought I walked in a dreame')
    • WoH 267 ff. 121r-59v

      Copy, in a cursive predominantly secretary hand, unascribed.

      First published in London, 1641. Edited by Sir Robert Egerton Brydges (Lee Priory Press, Ickham, 1814).

      Sir Henry Wotton, A Parallel between Robert Earl of Essex and George Duke of Buckingham

  • Add. MS 4149

    A folio volume of state papers, tracts and verse, in professional secretary hands, predominantly that of Ralph Starkey (c.1569-1628), antiquary, and including the Feathery Scribe, 349 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco.

    c.1624-8.

    Afterwards owned by Sir Simonds D'Ewes, Bt, MP (1602-50), diarist and antiquary. Inscribed (f. 2r) G Hewett.

    Briefly described in Peter Beal, In Praise of Scribes: Manuscripts and their Makers in Seventeenth-Century England (Oxford, 1998), pp. 227-8 (No. 27).

    • BcF 228.4 ff. 111v-13r

      Copy.

      Written 25 April 1604. To be published in the forthcoming The Oxford Francis Bacon.

      Francis Bacon, Objections against the Change of the Name of England into the Name of Britain
    • BcF 116 ff. 114r-31v

      Copy, in a professional secretary hand, unascribed.

      First published in Resuscitatio, ed. William Rawley (London, 1657). Spedding, X, 218-34.

      Francis Bacon, Certain Articles or Considerations touching the Union of England and Scotland
    • RaW 649 ff. 184r-92v

      Copy, in Starkey's hand, headed A matche propounded by ye Sauoyan betweene the ladie Elizabethe, & the prince of Piemont, unascribed.

      A tract beginning To obey commandment of my lord the prince, I have sent you my opinion of the match lately desired by the duke of Savoy.... First published in The Interest of England with regard to Foreign Alliances, explained in two discourses: 1) Concerning a match propounded by the Savoyan, between the Lady Elizabeth and the Prince of Piedmont (London, 1750). Works (1829), VIII, 223-36. Ralegh's authorship is not certain.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse touching a Match between the Lady Elizabeth and the Prince of Piedmont
    • RaW 625 ff. 193r-203v

      Copy, in Starkey's hand, unascribed.

      A tract beginning There is nobody that persuades our prince to match with Savoy, for any love to the person of the duke.... First published in The Interest of England with regard to Foreign Alliances, explained in two discourses:...2) Touching a Marriage between Prince Henry of England and a Daughter of Savoy (London, 1750). Works (1829), VIII, 237-52. Ralegh's authorship is not certain.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse touching a Marriage between Prince Henry and a Daughter of Savoy
    • HoJ 102 ff. 211r-13r

      Copy, in Starkey's hand, headed Mr John Hoskins the lawier of the midle Temple, being comitted to the Tower for a speeche, spoken by him in the Parleament howse, writt this Sonnett, intituled his Dreame being presentd by his wife to the Kings matie: in ano. 1614.

      This MS recorded in Osborn.

      Osborn, No. XXXIV (pp. 206-8). Whitlock, pp. 480-2.

      A shortened version of the poem, of lines 43-68, beginning the worst is tolld, the best is hidd and ending he errd but once, once king forgiue, was widely circulated.

      John Hoskyns, A Dreame ('Me thought I walked in a dreame')
    • HoJ 53 ff. 213r-15r

      Copy, in Starkey's hand, headed A censure of a Fart (that was lett in the Parleament howse by mr Henry Ludlowe) by a worshipfull Jurie each speaking in their order as foloweth ano:.

      Attributed to Hoskyns by John Aubrey. Cited, but unprinted, as No. III of Doubtful Verses in Osborn, p. 300. Early Stuart Libels website.

      John Hoskyns, The Censure of a Parliament Fart ('Downe came graue auncient Sr John Crooke')
    • AndL 20 ff. 320r-2v

      Copy, in Starkey's hand, headed A Discourse written by Doctor Androwes Bishop of Ely against seaconde marriage after sentence of Diuorce wth a formor match the Partis then Liuing in Ano. 1601.

      Edited from this MS in LACT.

      First published in LACT, Minor Works (1854), pp. 106-10.

      Lancelot Andrewes, A Discourse against Second Marriage after Divorce

  • Add. MS 4159

    A volume of state papers and letters of John Thurloe (1616-68), government official, 280 leaves.

    Volume V of the Thurloe Papers.

    • ClE 60 ff. 223r-6v

      Copy.

      Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Articles of High Treason and other hainous misdemeanours agst Edward, Earle of Clarendon, Lord Chancellor, exhibited by Earl of Bristol, 10 July 1663

  • Add. MS 4160

    A large quarto volume of letters, copied almost entirely in Thomas Birch's hand, 340 leaves.

    Volume I of the collection of state letters etc. by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Mid-18th century.
    • SiP 180.4 ff. 108r-11v

      Copy, in Birch's hand, headed A Letter written by Sr Philip Sidney to a Brother of his touching the Direction of his Travell: temper'd with an Edition of it printed in Profitable Instructions &c. London 1633.

      A letter beginning My most deere Brother. You have thought unkindness in me, I have not written oftner unto you.... First published in Profitable Instructions. Describing what speciall Obseruations are to be taken by Trauellers in all Nations, States and Countries (London, 1633), pp. 74-103. Feuillerat (as Correspondence No. XXXVIII), III, 124-7.

      Sir Philip Sidney, A Letter of Advice to Robert Sidney
    • RaW 853 passim

      Copies of letters by Ralegh, in Birch's hand.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4162

    A large quarto volume of letters etc., in various hands, 280 leaves.

    Volume III of the collection of state letters etc. by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • TaJ 46 ff. 117r-v

      Copy, by Birch, of a letter by Taylor to Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, [early 1656].

      Edited in Eden, I, xlix-l.

      Jeremy Taylor, Letter(s)
    • *WhA 69 f. 232r-v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by Anne Wharton, to her husband Thomas Wharton, 22 March/1 April 1681.

      Edited in Greer & Hastings, pp. 67-8. Published earlier in A General Dictionary, Historical and Critical, ed. John Peter Bernard, et al., Volume X (London, 1741).

      Anne Wharton, Letter(s)
    • *WhA 70 f. 234r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by Anne Wharton, to her husband Thomas Wharton, 29 March 1681.

      Edited in Greer & Hastings, p. 68. Published earlier in A General Dictionary, Historical and Critical, ed. John Peter Bernard, et al., Volume X (London, 1741).

      Anne Wharton, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4163

    A large quarto composite volume of letters and papers, nearly all in the hand of Thomas Birch, 280 leaves, in 18th-century calf gilt.

    c.1730s.

    Volume IV of the collection of state letters etc. by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • GiC 3 ff. 255r-7r

      Copy by Birch of three letters by Charles Gildon to Robert Harley, the second endorsed Janua. 2. 1710, the third from Chancery Lane.

      Charles Gildon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4173

    A large quarto composite volume of transcripts of letters by John Chamberlain, 592 leaves.

    Almost entirely in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Mid-18th century.
    • HrE 95.5 ff. 5r-20v

      Extracts made by Birch on 7 February 1755 from a transcript of Herbert's autograph (?) made in 1718 (? HrE 95).

      First published at Strawberry Hill, 1764, ed. Horace Walpole. Edited in The Life of Edward, First Lord Herbert of Cherbury written by himself, ed. J.M. Shuttleworth (London, 1976).

      The various MSS also discussed in N.W. Bawcutt, The Manuscripts of Lord Herbert of Cherbury's Autobiography, The Library, 6th Ser. 12, No. 2 (June 1990), 133-6.

  • Add. MS 4209

    A duodecimo volume of extracts from printed books, in a single mixed hand, 80 leaves (plus blanks), in modern half morocco.

    Mid-17th century.
    • BcF 215.6 ff. 3r-18r

      Extracts, headed Notes taken out of the Historye of the Raigne of King H. 7 Written by ...Francis Lord Verulam Viscount St Alban.

      First published in London, 1622. Spedding, VI, 23-245. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 3-169.

      Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry VII
    • DaS 41 ff. 19r-54r

      Extracts, headed Brief notes taken out of Samuell Daniels collectns of the Historye of England.

      First part first published in London, 1612. First published complete in London, [1618?]. Grosart, IV, 69-299. V, 1-291.

      Samuel Daniel, The Collection of the History of England
    • DaJ 239.8 ff. 56r-80v

      Extensive extracts, headed Notes taken out of a Booke intitled: A Discoverye of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirelye subdued....

      A treatise, dedicated to James I, beginning During the time of my service in Ireland (which began in the first yeare of his Majesties raigne) I haue visited all the Prouinces.... First published as A Discoverie of the Trve Cavses why Ireland was neuer entirely subdued...vntill...his Maiesties happie Raigne ([London], 1612). Grosart, II, 1-168.

      Sir John Davies, A Discovery of the State of Ireland

  • Add. MS 4214

    A folio composite volume of miscellaneous tracts and papers, in various hands, 142 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    • FeO 77 ff. 95r-105r

      Copy, in a professional secretary hand, headed Observations of Holland, numbered 2, imperfect, lacking one leaf.

      Inscribed in another hand as given by The Rev.rd Mr. Jo: Hall's (d.1707, prebendary of St Paul's) as a gift to Ra: Thoresby (1658-1725, Yorkshire antiquary and Topographer).

      This MS discussed in Van Strien.

      First published as Three Monethes observation of the low Countries especially Holland by a traveller whose name I know not more then by the two letters of J:S: at the bottome of the letter. Egipt this 22th of Jannuary (London, 1648). Expanded text printed as A brief Character of the Low-Countries under the States. Being three weeks observation of the Vices and Vertues of the Inhabitants... (for Henry Seile: London, 1652).

      Owen Felltham, A Brief Character of the Low-Countries

  • Add. MS 4223

    A composite volume of biographical collections made by or for Thomas Birch, in various hands, 283 leaves.

    Volume III (M-S) of Birch's biographical collections.

    c.1730-66.
    • MoH 8 ff. 41r-2r

      Extracts from three letters by More, to Dr John Worthington, dated respectively 24 January and 7 February 1664/5 and 10 May 1665.

      Henry More, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4231

    A folio composite volume of papers, largely in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, for his Life of Sir Walter Ralegh (preface to his edition of the Works, 1751), 106 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    Including (ff. 1r-16v) a printed proof of Birch's Life with his autograph corrections, and an autograph draft of his Life (ff. 17r-83v).

    c.1751.
    • RaW 650 ff. 89r-97v

      Copy, probably by one or two of Birch's amanuenses.

      A tract beginning To obey commandment of my lord the prince, I have sent you my opinion of the match lately desired by the duke of Savoy.... First published in The Interest of England with regard to Foreign Alliances, explained in two discourses: 1) Concerning a match propounded by the Savoyan, between the Lady Elizabeth and the Prince of Piedmont (London, 1750). Works (1829), VIII, 223-36. Ralegh's authorship is not certain.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse touching a Match between the Lady Elizabeth and the Prince of Piedmont
    • RaW 626 ff. 98r-106v

      Copy, probably by one of Birch's amanuenses.

      A tract beginning There is nobody that persuades our prince to match with Savoy, for any love to the person of the duke.... First published in The Interest of England with regard to Foreign Alliances, explained in two discourses:...2) Touching a Marriage between Prince Henry of England and a Daughter of Savoy (London, 1750). Works (1829), VIII, 237-52. Ralegh's authorship is not certain.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse touching a Marriage between Prince Henry and a Daughter of Savoy
    • RaW 854 passim

      Copy, by Birch and at least one amanuensis, of letters by Ralegh, on pages including ff. 85r-8r.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4233

    Copy, in two professional secretary hands (A: ff. 3r-11r; B: ff. 11v-186v), a third cursive secretary adding the last seven lines of f. 49v, 186 folio leaves.

    Early 17th century.

    Owned in 1759 by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian (his notes on f. 2r misidentifying the author).

    Sylvester, No. 9.

    • CvG 15
      No description or publication history available.

      First published in George Cavendish, The Life of Cardinal Wolsey and Metrical Visions, ed. Samuel W. Singer, 2 vols (Chiswick, 1825). The Life and Death of Cardinal Wolsey by George Cavendish, ed. Richard S. Sylvester, EETS, orig. ser. 243 (London, New York and Toronto, 1959).

      George Cavendish, The Life of Cardinal Wolsey

  • Add. MS 4242

    Copy, in at least three secretary hands, headed Sr Thomas Moores Lyfe written by his sonne in lawe Mr Roper, 62 quarto leaves, imperfect, damp-stained and with some paper losses, in modern half brown morocco.

    Early 17th century.

    A label affixed to a flyleaf bearing the initials H M.

    This MS collated in Hitchcock and briefly described, p. xiv.

    • MrT 89
      No description or publication history available.

      First published in London, 1626. Edited, as The Lyfe of Sir Thomas Moore, knighte, written by William Roper Esquire, by Elsie Vaughan Hitchcock (EETS, London, 1935).

      Sir Thomas More, William Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More

  • Add. MS 4258

    A folio composite volume of papers relating to Francis Bacon, in various hands, 231 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    A number of papers in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Among Birch's collections for his edition of works by Bacon (1761), incorporating papers formerly owned by Robert Stephens (1665-1732), literary editor, and John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor, in connection with their intended editions of Bacon's works.

    • BcF 290 ff. 214r-27r

      Copy of a series of short philosophical essays by Bacon, in an italic hand, transcribed from three original MS fragments (now unlocated), with corrections in the hand of John Locker.

      Edited from this MS in Spedding.

      First published in Spedding, III (1857), 177-98.

      Francis Bacon, Cogitationes de scientia humana

  • Add. MS 4259

    A folio volume of papers relating to Francis Bacon, in various hands, 168 leaves, bound with British Library, Add. MS 4260 in modern half-morocco.

    Some papers in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Among Birch's collections for his edition of works by Bacon (1761), incorporating papers formerly owned by Robert Stephens (1665-1732), literary editor, and John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor, in connection with their intended editions of Bacon's works.

    • BcF 656 f. 111r-v

      Copy of Bacon's last will and testament made by him 10 April 1621, in the hand of John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor.

      Edited from this MS in Spedding, XIV, 228-9.

      Spedding, XIV, 228-9.

    • BcF 204 ff. 155r-v

      Copy of Bacon's intended dedication of the Essays to Prince Henry, in the same secretary hand as BcF 203.

      Edited from this MS in Spedding.

      Ten Essayes first published in London, 1597. 38 Essaies published in London, 1612. 58 Essayes or Counsels, Civill and Morall published in London, 1625. Spedding, VI, 365-591. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. XV (Oxford, 2000).

      Francis Bacon, Essays or Counsels Civil and Moral
    • BcF 450 f. 164r

      Copy.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
    • BcF 565 passim

      Copy of letters by Bacon, including (f. 161r) one to James I, 5 June 1616.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4260

    A folio composite volume of papers relating to Francis Bacon, in several hands, 69 leaves, bound with British Library, Add. MS 4259 in modern half-morocco.

    Some papers in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Among Birch's collections for his edition of works by Bacon (1761), incorporating papers formerly owned by Robert Stephens (1665-1732), literary editor, and John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor, in connection with their intended editions of Bacon's works.

    • BcF 566 passim

      Abstracts of various letters by Bacon, in Birch's hand.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4261

    A folio composite volume of papers relating to Francis Bacon, in various hands, 306 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    A number of papers in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Among Birch's collections for his edition of works by Bacon (1761), incorporating papers formerly owned by Robert Stephens (1665-1732), literary editor, and John Locker (1693-1760), barrister and literary editor, in connection with their intended editions of Bacon's works.

    • BcF 567 ff. 174r-81v

      Copy of three letters of advice by Bacon to the Earl of Essex.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • BcF 176.5 ff. 188r-95r

      Copy, in a professional secretary hand.

      First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, X, 46-51.

      Francis Bacon, Considerations touching the Queen's Service in Ireland
    • BcF 568 ff. 228r-32v

      Copy of three letters of advice by Bacon to the Earl of Essex.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • BcF 176.6 ff. 236r-9v

      Copy, in a professional predominantly italic hand.

      First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, X, 46-51.

      Francis Bacon, Considerations touching the Queen's Service in Ireland
    • BcF 569 passim

      Copies of numerous letters by Bacon, to Queen Elizabeth, Essex, James I, Buckingham, Cecil, Sir John Davies, Northampton, and various others, in several 17th- and 18th-century hands, on pages including ff. 174r-5v, 228r-9r.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4262

    A folio composite volume of papers relating to Francis Bacon, 389 chiefly quarto leaves, in modern half brown morocco.

    All in the hand of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Mid-18th century.
    • BcF 570 passim

      Copies of letters by Bacon.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
    • BcF 332 passim

      Copies of speeches by Bacon.

      Francis Bacon, Speech(es)

  • Add. MS 4263

    A folio composite volume of works chiefly by Bacon, in various hands, 225 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    Among the collections of Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, for his edition of works by Bacon (1761).

    • BcF 751 ff. 1r-55r

      Copy, in a professional secretary hand, untitled, on 55 quarto leaves.

      A discourse beginning The use of the Law consisteth principally in these two things.... Spedding, VII, 459-504 (and discussed pp. 302, 453-7). Probably by Sir Robert Forster (1589-1663), judge.

      Francis Bacon, The Use of the Law
    • *BcF 87 ff. 56r-101v
      Autograph

      Copy of the four Arguments, largely in the professional secretary hand of one amanuensis, with Bacon's copious autograph insertions and revisions, with a title-page: The Arguments of Lawe of Sir ffrancis Bacon Knight the Kinges Sollicitor generall in certaine great and difficult Cases, initialled by him at the end F. B.

      Edited from this MS in Blackbourne and in Spedding.

      Four Arguments (on the Case of the Impeachment of Waste, on Lowe's Case of Tenures, on the Case of Revocation of Uses, and on the Jurisdiction of the Council of the Marches). First published in Opera omnia, ed. J. Blackbourne (London, 1730). Spedding, VII, 517-611.

      Francis Bacon, Arguments of Law. Four Arguments
    • BcF 281 ff. 102r-5v

      Copy, in a small mixed hand, as by Sr ffrancis Bacon, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      Edited partly from this MS in Spedding.

      First published in Spedding, XIV (1874), 22-8.

      Francis Bacon, A Short View to be taken of Great Britain and Spain
    • BcF 108 ff. 106r-9r

      Copy, in a small mixed hand, varying in style, subscribed Fr: B, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      A tract beginning I do not find it strange (excellent King).... First published in London, 1603. Spedding, X, 90-9.

      Francis Bacon, A Brief Discourse touching the Happy Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland
    • BcF 255 f. 110r

      Copy, in a small mixed hand, on one side of a folio leaf, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      Edited from this MS in Spedding.

      First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, XIV, 229-31.

      Francis Bacon, A Prayer, or Psalm
    • BcF 156 ff. 111r-15v

      Copy, as by ffr: Bacon, in two italic hands, one that of William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      This MS collated in Spedding.

      First published in London, 1641. Spedding, VII, 217-26.

      Francis Bacon, A Confession of Faith
    • BcF 451 ff. 116r-17v

      Copy of Bacon's submission on 22 April 1620/1, in a predominantly secretary hand, untitled.

      The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...); 22 April 1621 (beginning It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...); and 30 April 1621 (beginning Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.

      Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
    • BcF 56 ff. 118r-24r

      Copy, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      This MS (erroneously cited as Harl. MSS. 4263) collated in Spedding.

      First published in Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, VII, 1-36. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 183-206.

      Francis Bacon, Advertisement touching a Holy War
    • BcF 66 ff. 125r-34r

      Copy, in a professional predominantly italic hand, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      The text corrected from this MS in Spedding.

      A tract beginning It is but ignorance if any man find it strange that the state of religion (especially in the days of peace) should be exercised.... First published as A Wise and Moderate Discourse concerning Church-Affaires ([London], 1641). Spedding, VIII, 74-95.

      Francis Bacon, An Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church of England
    • BcF 124 ff. 135r-44r

      Copy, in a professional predominantly italic hand, subscribed Fr: Bacon, possibly made for William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor.

      First published in London, 1604. Spedding, X, 103-27. The circumstances of the original publication and the book's suppression by the Bishop of London discussed, with a census of relevant exempla, in Richard Serjeantson and Thomas Woolford, The Scribal Publication of a Printed Book: Francis Bacon's Certaine Considerations Touching...the Church of England (1604), The Library, 7th Ser. 10/2 (June 2009), 119-56.

      Francis Bacon, Certain Considerations touching the Better Pacification and Edification of the Church of England
    • BcF 137 ff. 145r-66r

      Copy, as Made by Francis Bacon, in two hands, one predominantly italic, the other secretary, at least one of which was employed by William Rawley (c.1588-1667), Bacon's chaplain, amanuensis and posthumous editor, imperfect.

      This MS collated in Spedding.

      A tract beginning It were just and honourable for princes being in war together, that howsever they prosecute their quarrels.... First published in Resuscitatio, ed. W. Rawley (London, 1657). Spedding, VIII, 146-208.

      A letter to M. Critoy, Secretary of France, c.1589, A Letter on the Queen's religious policies, was later incorporated in Certain Observations made upon a Libel, and first published in Cabala, sive scrinia sacra (London, 1654), pp. 38-41.

      Francis Bacon, Certain Observations made upon a Libel published this present year, 1592
    • BcF 125 ff. 167r-86r

      Copy, in a professional italic hand, on quarto leaves.

      First published in London, 1604. Spedding, X, 103-27. The circumstances of the original publication and the book's suppression by the Bishop of London discussed, with a census of relevant exempla, in Richard Serjeantson and Thomas Woolford, The Scribal Publication of a Printed Book: Francis Bacon's Certaine Considerations Touching...the Church of England (1604), The Library, 7th Ser. 10/2 (June 2009), 119-56.

      Francis Bacon, Certain Considerations touching the Better Pacification and Edification of the Church of England
    • BcF 126 ff. 187r-9v

      Copy, in two hands, one predominantly secretary, the other cursive italic, on quarto leaves, incomplete or imperfect, comprising only the beginning.

      First published in London, 1604. Spedding, X, 103-27. The circumstances of the original publication and the book's suppression by the Bishop of London discussed, with a census of relevant exempla, in Richard Serjeantson and Thomas Woolford, The Scribal Publication of a Printed Book: Francis Bacon's Certaine Considerations Touching...the Church of England (1604), The Library, 7th Ser. 10/2 (June 2009), 119-56.

      Francis Bacon, Certain Considerations touching the Better Pacification and Edification of the Church of England
    • BcF 235 ff. 191r-6r

      Copy of 102 Ordinances, in a professional small secretary hand.

      First published as Ordinances made by...Sir Francis Bacon Knight...being then Lord Chancellor For the better and more regular Administration of Iustice in the Chancery (London, 1642), beginning No decree shall be reversed, altered, or explained, being once under the Great Seale.... Spedding, VII, 755-74 (mentioning, on p. 757, having seen some MSS and editions of this work but without specifying them or his copy-text).

      Francis Bacon, Ordinances in Chancery
    • BcF 571 ff. 200-25v

      Copy of Bacon's letter of advice to Buckingham, unascribed.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4274

    A folio composite volume of letters by bishops and archbishops, in numerous hands, alphabetically arranged, 309 leaves.

    Collected by Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer.

    Bought at the sale of Thoresby's museum in 1764 by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • HrG 29.8 f. 106r

      Copy, in double columns, on one side of a folio leaf, quoted as a sweet meditation by devout Herbert in an autograph letter by John Lake, later Bishop of Chichester, to his sister, 6 June 1676.

      First published in The Temple (1633). Hutchinson, p. 171.

      George Herbert, Bitter-sweet ('Ah my deare angrie Lord')
    • *TaJ 36 f. 140r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by Taylor, to Dr E. Langsdale, 24 November 1643 [or 1653?].

      Edited in Eden, I, xxv-xxvi.

      Jeremy Taylor, Letter(s)
    • *TaJ 52 f. 142r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by Taylor, to [? John Evelyn], 22 February 1656/7.

      Edited in Eden, I, lxi-lxii; Wheatley, III, 233-4. Facsimile in Conway Letters, ed. Marjorie Hope Nicolson (New Haven, 1930), after p. 118.

      Jeremy Taylor, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4275

    A folio volume of miscellaneous and antiquarian papers, in various hands and paper sizes, 331 leaves, in 18th-century half-morocco gilt.

    Collected by Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer.

    Bought at the sale of Thoresby's museum in 1764 by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • HrG 317 f. 273r

      Copy, subscribed George Herbert, on one side of a folio leaf.

      This MS collated in Hutchinson, p. 416.

      An untitled eight-line poem on the visit of Frederick, the Elector Palatine, to the University of Cambridge. First published in James Duport, Ecclesiastes Solomonis (Cambridge, 1662). Hutchinson, p. 416. McCloskey & Murphy, with a translation, pp. 102-3.

      George Herbert, Lucus, XXV. Roma. Anagr. ('Roma, tuum nomen quam non pertransijt Oram')

  • Add. MS 4276

    A folio guardbook of letters and papers of Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer, in various hands and paper sizes, 225 leaves.

    Volume III (M-S) of the Thoresby Papers.

    Acquired by Thomas Birch in 1764.

    • *MoH 19 ff. 41r-2r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by More, to Dr John Sharp, from Christ's College, Cambridge, 16 August 1680.

      Henry More, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4278

    A composite volume of papers of Dr John Pell (1611-85), mathematician.

    c.1645.
    • *HbT 62 f. 200r
      Autograph

      Autograph signed demonstration by Hobbes of a mathematical theorem, in Latin, with a diagram, on a single folio leaf.

      Formerly cited in IELM, II.i (1987) as HbT 38.

      Unpublished.

      Thomas Hobbes, A mathematical theorem

  • Add. MS 4279

    A folio composite volume of papers and correspondence of John Pell (1611-85), mathematician and political agent, in various hands.

    Pell Papers (1st series), Volume II.

    • *MaB 5 f. 103r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by Makin, to her brother-in-law John Pell, 19 December [1652].

      Quoted in Teague, p. 81.

      Bathsua Makin, Letter(s)
    • *MoH 9 f. 156r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed by More, to Dr John Pell, from Christ's College, Cambridge, 23 May 1665.

      Henry More, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4291

    A composite volume of letters, in various hands, collected and partly copied by Thomas Birch, 288 leaves.

    • DrJ 338 ff. 188r-90v

      Copy of Dryden's letter to his sons, 3 September [1697].

      John Dryden, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4292

    A folio composite volume of state letters and papers, compiled, and the majority copied, by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, 279 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    • HbT 176 f. 77v

      Copy, in Birch's hand, of a petition by Hobbes to King Charles II, referring to Hobbe's extreme age.

      Edited in Molesworth, English, VII, 471-2. Malcolm, Correspondence, II, 774-5, Letter 210.

      Thomas Hobbes, Document(s)
    • MaA 523 f. 264r-v

      Copy of a letter by Marvell, to John Milton, from Eton, 2 June 1654, in a cursive rounded hand, subscribed in the same hand Attested by me J. Owen.

      Margoliouth, II, 305-6. Also edited in The Works of John Milton, General Editor: Frank Allen Patterson, 18 vols plus 2 index vols (New York: Columbia University Press, 1931-8), XII, 331-6.

      Andrew Marvell, Letter(s)
    • BcF 572 passim

      Copies by Birch of various letters by and to Bacon.

      Francis Bacon, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4293

    A composite volume of miscellaneous and historical letters and papers, collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • BuS 15.5 f. 7r

      A Royal Warrant, drawn up by John Berkenhead and signed by Charles II, granting Butler sole rights of republishing any part of Hudibras, 10 September 1677.

      The text of this is printed in Samuel Butler, Hudibras, ed. Treadway Russell Nash, 3 vols (London, 1793), I, viii.

      Samuel Butler, Editorial and Copyright Papers
    • *CgW 103 ff. 54r-5v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Edward Porter, from Ashley, Thursday [November 1718?].

      Hodges, No. 54 (dated [1717-19]). McKenzie, III, 182-3 (Letter 63).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 73 f. 56r
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Edward Porter, from Ilam, [21 August 1692].

      Hodges, No. 1. McKenzie, III, 136 (Letter 1). Facsimile in T.J. Brown, English Literary Autographs XXI, The Book Collector, 6 (Spring 1957), facing p. 61.

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 98 ff. 57r-8v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Edward Porter, [from Stowe, Buckinghamshire], 1 January [1714?].

      Hodges, No. 51. McKenzie, III, 180 (Letter 59). Facsimiles of the first page in Hodges, Man, facing p. 88, and in T.J. Brown, English Literary Autographs XXI, The Book Collector, 6 (Spring 1957), facing p. 61.

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 82 ff. 59r-60v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Mrs Edward Porter, from Rotterdam, 27 September 1700.

      Hodges, No. 5. McKenzie, III, 147-8 (Letter 12).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 81 f. 61r-2v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Edward Porter, from Calais, 11 August 1700.

      Hodges, No. 4. McKenzie, III, 146-7 (Letter 11).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 100 ff. 63r-v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Mrs Edward Porter (?), 9 August [1717?].

      Hodges, No. 53.

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 99 ff. 64r-v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Edward Porter, [from London, 1714?].

      Hodges, No. 52. McKenzie, III, 181 (Letter 60).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4366

    Copy, in two hands, untitled, i + 60 folio leaves, imperfect, lacking the first few leaves, in modern half morocco.

    Early-mid-18th century.

    Inscribed (f. ir) Pembroke: i.e. Henry Herbert (c.1689-1750), ninth Earl of Pembroke, architect and patron.

    Griffin's P text.

    • HrE 113.5
      No description or publication history available.

      First published and attributed to Herbert in an edition by Horace Walpole (Strawberry Hill, 1768).

      Commonly rejected from the canon, but see arguments for possible authorial involvement of Herbert (as well as Charles Blount) in Julia Griffin, Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury's A Dialogue between a Tutor and his Pupil: Some New Questions, EMS, 7 (1998), 162-201, where the various MS texts are discussed.

      Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, A Dialogue between a Tutor and his Pupil

  • Add. MS 4378

    Copy, in a single hand, including the author's dedicatory epistle to her husband Taurell Jocelin and Goad's prefatory Approbation, with what is possibly Goad's signature on f. 5r, 51 octavo leaves, in modern red morocco gilt.

    Possibly in Thomas Goad's hand as an edited transcript of Jocelin's original MS (JoE 1), perhaps intended to be used as copy-text for his printed edition (1624), or alternatively a transcript of that edition.

    c.1624.

    A facsimile of the first page is in the edition of the work by Jean LeDrew Metcalfe (Toronto, Buffalo and London, 2000). A full list of contents of the MS is in the online Perdita Project.

    • JoE 2
      No description or publication history available.

      First published, edited by Thomas Goad, London, 1624.

      Elizabeth Jocelin, The mother's legacie, to her unborne childe

  • Add. MS 4395

    A composite volume of papers of Walter Warner (d.1640).

    c.1634.
    • *HbT 77 ff. 131r, 133r
      Autograph

      Autograph MS of a paper on refraction, endorsed by Walter Warner Mr Hobbes analogy, on two quarto leaves.

      Formerly cited in IELM, II.i (1987) as HbT 39. This analogy mentioned by Warner in a letter of 17 October 1634 (British Library, Add. MS 4279, f. 290). Discussed in Jacquot & Jones (1973), pp. 17-18.

      Incorporated in the Tractatus opticus by Hobbes which was printed in Marin Mersenne, Cogitata physico-mathematica (Paris, 1644) [Molesworth, Latin, V, 217-47] and also in Hobbes's other Tractatus opticus (see HbT 91).

      Thomas Hobbes, On Refraction

  • Add. MS 4417

    A volume of papers of John Pell.

    • *HbT 92 ff. 26r-37r
      Autograph

      Copy of part of Vieta's treatise, in the hand of the Cavendishes' chaplain Robert Payne (1596-1651), with diagrams added in Hobbes's hand.

      Discussed, with a facsimile of p. 31v, in Noel Malcolm, Hobbes, the Latin Optical Manuscript, and the Parisian Scribe, EMS, 12 (2005). 210-32 (p. 212).

      Unpublished.

      Thomas Hobbes, Viète, François. Harmonicon coeleste

  • Add. MS 4453

    Copy, in a small neat italic hand, 34 quarto leaves, in half-morocco gilt.

    Early 17th century.

    Inscribed on a flyleaf by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian, Tho. Birch March 15th. 1736/7. Probably the MS once owned by Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), Norroy King of Arms and antiquary, sold by Wilcox, 22 February 1730/1, lot 467.

    This MS discussed in Boas, I, xvi-xix, and collated I, 288-309.

    • FlP 18
      No description or publication history available.

      Performed at King's College, Cambridge, 13 March 1614/15. First published in London, 1631. Boas I, 187-264.

      Phineas Fletcher, Sicelides, A Piscatory

  • Add. MS 4454

    Autograph volume of writings by Katherine Austen, 114 small quarto leaves.

    • AuK 1 The MS as a whole

      Autograph compendium of religious meditations, verse, and autobiographical writings by Katherine Austen, as well as family records.

      Described in detail in the online Perdita Project.

      Unpublished.

    • HrJ 13 f. 61v

      Copy of Harington's English translation of a Latin verse by Sir Walter Mildmay cited in the notes to Book XXII of Orlando Furioso (see HrJ 9).

      This MS recorded in Hughey, II, 123.

      First published in London, 1591. Edited by Robert McNulty (Oxford, 1972). Printed and manuscript exempla discussed in Gerard Kilroy, Advertising the Reader: Sir John Harington's Directions in the Margent, English Literary Renaissance, 41/1 (Winter, 2011), 64-110.

      Sir John Harington, Orlando Furioso ('Of Dames, of Knights, of armes, of loves delight')

  • Add. MS 4455

    A quarto composite miscellany of verse and prose, in several hands, 100 leaves, in modern half morocco.

    Compiled in 1672 by John Bennet of Hart Hall, Oxford, and later used by the Rev. John King (1652-1732), of Exeter College, Oxford.

    c.1672-1718.
    • MrT 90 ff. 14r-21v

      Extracts from lives of More, including Roper's, headed A Supplement of some things Relating To Sr Thomas More.

      First published in London, 1626. Edited, as The Lyfe of Sir Thomas Moore, knighte, written by William Roper Esquire, by Elsie Vaughan Hitchcock (EETS, London, 1935).

      Sir Thomas More, William Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More
    • DrJ 171 f. 26v

      Copy, the prologue dated Feb. 26. 1671.

      This MS collated in California. Recorded in Kinsley.

      First published in Covent Garden Drolery (London, 1672). Westminster Drolery, The Second Part (London, 1672). Kinsley, I, 140. California, I, 143-4. Hammond & Hopkins, I, 256-7.

      John Dryden, The Prologue to Witt without Money being the first Play acted after the Fire ('So shipwrack't Passengers escape to Land')
    • DoC 271 f. 42v

      Copy, headed A Prologue to Edw: Howards Eutopia made by Mr Buckherst.

      This MS collated in Harris.

      First published in Poems on Several Occasions, By the Right Honourable, the E. of R[ochester] (Antwerpen [i.e. London], 1680). POAS, I (1963), 338-9. Harris, pp. 7-9.

      Charles Sackville, Sixth Earl of Dorset, To Mr. Edward Howard, on his Incomparable, Incomprehensible Poem Called The British Princes ('Come on, ye critics! Find one fault who dare')
    • DrJ 173.2 f. 96r

      Extracts.

      This MS recorded in California, IV, 781.

      First published (…together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus) in London, 1693 [i.e. 1692] (as By Mr. Dryden, and Several other Eminent Hands, Dryden's contribution being the prefatory Discourse concerning Satire and Satires I, III, VI, X and XVI). Kinsley, II, 599-740 (Dryden's contributions). California, IV, 2-252 (Dryden's contributions). Hammond & Hopkins, IV, 3-137.

      John Dryden, The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis ('Still shall I hear, and never quit the Score')

  • Add. MS 4456

    A folio composite volume of verse MSS, in various hands, 215 leaves, in 19th-century half-morocco.

    Collected and largely copied by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Early-mid-18th century.
    • CoA 267 ff. 63r-4r

      Extracts, headed Out of Mr Cowleys works.

      Abraham Cowley, Extracts
    • DrJ 3.5 ff. 66v, 65r-6r

      Copy, on a pair of conjugate long ledger-size leaves, misbound.

      First published in London, 1697. Fables Ancient and Modern (London, 1700). Kinsley, III, 1428-33. California, VII, 3-9. Hammond & Hopkins, V, 3-18.

      John Dryden, Alexander's Feast. Or The Power of Musique. An Ode, In Honour of St. Cecilia's Day (''Twas at the Royal Feast, for Persia won')
    • RoJ 533 ff. 201r-3v

      Copy, headed On Tunbridge-wells a Satyre of L.R., on three quarto leaves (of a six-leaf gathering).

      This MS recorded in Vieth. Collated in Walker.

      First published in Richard Head, Proteus Redivivus: or the Art of Wheedling (London, 1675). Vieth, pp. 73-80. Walker, pp. 69-74. Love, pp. 49-54.

      John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, Tunbridge Wells ('At five this morn, when Phoebus raised his head')
    • RoJ 306 ff. 204r-6v

      Copy of lines 1-173, headed Satyr, on three quarto leaves (of a six-leaf gathering).

      This MS recorded in Vieth. Collated in Walker.

      First published (lines 1-173) as a broadside, A Satyr against Mankind [London, 1679]. Complete, with supplementary lines 174-221 (beginning All this with indignation have I hurled) in Poems on Several Occasions (Antwerp, 1680). Vieth, pp. 94-101. Walker, pp. 91-7, as Satyr. Love, pp. 57-63.

      The text also briefly discussed in Kristoffer F. Paulson, A Question of Copy-Text: Rochester's A Satyr against Reason and Mankind, N&Q, 217 (May 1972), 177-8. Some texts followed by one or other of three different Answer poems (two sometimes ascribed to Edward Pococke or Mr Griffith and Thomas Lessey: see Vieth, Attribution, pp. 178-9).

      John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, A Satyr against Reason and Mankind ('Were I (who to my cost already am)')

  • Add. MS 4457

    A folio composite volume of verse MSS, in various hands and paper sizes, 231 leaves, in 19th-century half black morocco.

    Including items once owned by Ralph Thoresby (1658-1725), Yorkshire antiquary and topographer. Collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    Presumably from item 47 among the folio MSS recorded in Thoresby's Ducatus Leodiensis, 2nd edition (Leeds, 1816), Appendix, p. 77.

    • ElQ 45 f. 6r

      Copy, headed Sonnet by Q. Elizabeth 1555, on one side of a quarto leaf.

      This MS cited in Selected Works.

      First published, in a garbled version, in Paul Hentzner, Itinerarivm Germaniae, Galliae; Angliae; Italiae (Nuremberg, 1612), pp. 144-5. Bradner, p. 3, as Written on a Wall at Woodstock. Collected Works, Poem 1, pp. 45-6. Selected Works, Poem 1, pp. 2-3.

      Queen Elizabeth I, Written on a Window Frame at Woodstock ('O Fortune, thy wresting, wavering state')
    • CoR 296 ff. 7r-14v

      Copy of lines 1-474, in a mixed hand, on eight folio leaves, inscribed at the top of the first leaf Ralph Thoresby, imperfect, lacking lines 475 onwards.

      First published in Certain Elegant Poems (London, 1647). Bennett & Trevor-Roper, pp. 31-49.

      Richard Corbett, Iter Boreale ('Foure Clerkes of Oxford, Doctours two, and two')
    • BcF 310.5 ff. 32r-3v

      Copy of speeches by the Squire, the Hermit and the Soldier, in the hand of Thomas Birch, transcribed from BcF 308, imperfect, lacking the rest.

      First published in Letters, Speeches &c. of Francis Bacon, ed. Thomas Birch (London, 1763). Spedding, VIII, 378-86. Probably written partly by the Earl of Essex, partly by his secretariat, including Bacon. See The Poems of Edward De Vere, Seventeenth Earl of Oxford, and of Robert Devereux, Second Earl of Essex, ed. Steven W. May, Studies in Philology, 77, No. 5 (Early Winter 1980), pp. 88-90, and Paul E.J. Hammer, Upstaging the Queen: the Earl of Essex, Francis Bacon and the Accession Day celebrations of 1595, in The Politics of the Stuart Court Masque, ed. David Bevington and Peter Holbrook (New York & Cambridge, 1998), pp. 41-66.

      Francis Bacon, A Device to Entertain the Queen at Essex House, 17 November 1595
    • RoJ 579 f. 43r-v

      Copy, headed On Nothing, subscribed Rochester, on both sides of a single quarto leaf, inscribed by Thomas Birch This Autograph of the eminent Dr. John Nalson [1637-86, rector and author, prebendary of Ely] was given me by his Son the Revrd. & Ingenious Mr. Val: Nalson Preb: of York 1710.

      This MS recorded in Vieth. Collated in Walker and in Love, The Text of Rochester's Upon Nothing.

      First published, as a broadside, [in London, 1679]. Poems on Several Occasions (Antwerp, 1680). Vieth, pp. 118-20. Walker, pp. 62-4. Harold Love, The Text of Rochester's Upon Nothing, Centre for Bibliographical and Textual Studies, Monash University, Occasional Papers 1 (1985). Love, pp. 46-8.

      John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, Upon Nothing ('Nothing! thou elder brother even to Shade')
    • MnJ 23.4 f. 127r

      Extracts.

      First published in London, 1667. Columbia, II. Darbishire I. Carey & Fowler, pp. 417-1060.

      John Milton, Paradise Lost ('Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit')
    • CoA 268 ff. 136r, 148r

      Extracts from works by Cowley.

      Abraham Cowley, Extracts
    • DrJ 274 f. 161r

      Copy, untitled, on one side of a single quarto leaf.

      California, XVI, 63. Scott-Saintsbury, VIII, 196. Kinsley, II, 577. Hammond & Hopkins, III, 266-7.

      John Dryden, King Arthur: or, The British Worthy, Act V, scene ii, lines 150-65. Song ('Fairest Isle, all Isles Excelling')

  • Add. MS 4459

    A folio composite volume of miscellaneous letters and papers, in various hands, 212 leaves.

    Collected by Thomas Birch (1705-66), biographer and historian.

    • *MaA 573 ff. 175r-96v
      Autograph

      Autograph MS of a translation by Marvell of The Justice of the Swedish Cause.

      Edited from this MS in The Prose Works of Andrew Marvell, 2 vols (Yale University, 2003), I, 441-9. Facsimile of f. 175r in Hilton Kelliher, Some Notes on Andrew Marvell, British Library Journal, 4/2 (Autumn 1978), 122-44 (p. 133).

      Andrew Marvell, Document(s)

  • Add. MS 4468

    Extracts from Bacon's philosophical works as edited by Isaac Gruter, annotated in two interleaved printed exempla (Amsterdam, 1653), 262 octavo leaves.

    18th century.
    • BcF 683
      No description or publication history available.
      Francis Bacon, Extracts

  • Add. MS 4712

    A folio composite volume of miscellaneous papers chiefly relating to court ceremonies, in various hands and paper sizes, 94 leaves.

    Afterwards owned by Sir Richard St George (1554/5-1635), Clarenceux King of Arms, and possibly by his grandson, Sir Henry St George (1625-1715), Clarenceux and Garter King of Arms. Presented by William Guthrie (1708?-70), historian and political journalist, 24 April 1764.

    • CmW 141.8 f. 59r

      A ten-line autograph annotation by Camden, in the margin of a scribal copy (ff. 58r-61v) of the proceedings at the coronation of James I and Queen Anne, 25 July 1603.

      William Camden, Collectanea
    • CtR 528 passim

      Several autograph or partly autograph papers by Cotton, who signs f. 3r Robertus Cottonus Conningtonensis 1602, including two autograph pedigrees showing the descent of Conington Manor, Huntingdonshire (f. 2r-v); his apparently autograph preamble to an inspeximus of the will of Edward VI (f. 70r); and a scribal copy of the will of Henry VIII inscribed by Cotton in 1604 Adulterina voluntas (ff. 70r-7v).

      Sir Robert Cotton, Miscellaneous

  • Add. MS 4739

    Volume III of the autograph MS of The Historie of the Kirk of Scotland by John Calderwood (1575-1650), closely written in his secretary hand, untitled, 411 folio leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    1627.

    Inscribed (f. 1v) Ex Libris Dom: Gulielmi Calderwood de Poltoun [i.e. Sir William Calderwood (d.1733), Lord Polton]. Donated in 1765 by his heir Dr Andrew Gifford.

    • DiA 5 ff. 128v-9r

      Copy of Dicsone's letter to John Davidson, subscribed Your brother in Christ Alexander Dicksone.

      Beal, Checklist, pp. 129-30. The letter edited from this transcript in the edition of Calderwood's Historie by the Rev. Thomas Thomson, Woodrow Society (8 vols, Edinburgh, 1842-9), VI, 214-15.

      Alexander Dicsone, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4787

    A folio volume of historical papers, in several hands, one predominating, ii + 322 leaves, in modern half red morocco.

    Compiled largely by Sir James Ware (1594-1666), antiquary and historian.

    Subsequently owned by Henry Hyde (1638-1709), second Earl of Clarendon, politician (constituting Clarendon MSS Vol. 36). Bookplate of Jeremiah Milles (1714-84), Dean of Exeter, antiquary (Milles Collection Vol. XXXIV).

    • SkJ 22 f. 226v

      Copy, headed Ex Jo. Skelton Poeta laureato.

      This MS collated in Dyce.

      Canon, D53, p. 17, First published in Pithy pleasaunt and profitable workes of maister Skelton (London, 1568). Dyce, I, 177.

      John Skelton, 'Salve plus decies quam sunt momenta dierum!'

  • Add. MS 4792

    A folio composite volume of state papers, in various professional hands, 226 leaves, in modern half-morocco.

    Among collections of Sir James Ware (1594-1666). Subsequently owned by Henry Hyde (1638-1709), second Earl of Clarendon, politician (constituting Clarendon MSS Vol. 45). Bookplate of the Rev. Jeremiah Milles (1714-84), Dean of Exeter, antiquary (Milles Collection Vol. XXXIX).

    • BaJ 30.2 ff. 36r-49v

      Copy, in a secretary hand, headed Out of a booke called The vocation of John Bale to the Bishoprick of Ossory in Ireland, his psecutions in the same & finall delliurance.

      First published in Rome, 1533. Reprinted in Harleian Miscellany (London, 1745), VI, 402-28 (1810 edition, VI, 437-64).

      John Bale, The Vocacyon of Ioha Bale to the Bishoprick of Ossorie in Ireläde

  • Add. MS 4793

    A folio composite volume of state and miscellaneous papers, in several hands, one predominating, 190 folio and quarto leaves, in half red morocco.

    Compiled largely by Sir James Ware (1594-1666), antiquary and historian.

    Subsequently owned by Henry Hyde (1638-1709), second Earl of Clarendon, politician (constituting Clarendon MSS Vol. 46). Bookplate of Jeremiah Milles (1714-84), Dean of Exeter, antiquary (Milles Collection Vol. XL).

    • DaJ 281 ff. 57r-64r

      Copy of Davies's two speeches when he was appointed Speaker in the Irish House of Commons, in a professional secretary hand.

      Edited from this MS in Grosart.

      Two speeches, one in the Irish House of Commons, the other in the Irish House of Lords, beginning respectively Most honble. Lord & Rt. Worthy Deputy of Our most Invincible Renowned & Gracious Sovereign, I am here presented to your Lordp.... and Most honble. & Right Noble Lord. Since your high Wisdom (unto which I humbly made my Appeal) has not thought fit to repeal.... The second speech first published in Davies, Historical Tracts (Dublin, 1787). The two speeches first published together in Grosart, III (1876), 215-21, 222-41.

      Sir John Davies, Speeches in Ireland (21 May 1613)

  • Add. MS 4797

    A folio composite volume of historical and miscellaneous papers, in various hands and paper sizes, i +138 leaves, in half red morocco.

    Owned and perhaps partly compiled by Sir James Ware (1594-1666), antiquary and historian, and including (ff. 131r-7r) forgeries by his son Robert.

    Subsequently owned by Henry Hyde (1638-1709), second Earl of Clarendon, politician (constituting Clarendon MSS Vol. 55). Signature, dated 1746/7, and bookplate of Jeremiah Milles (1714-84), Dean of Exeter, antiquary (Milles Collection Vol. XLIV).

    • WyT 196.5 f. 4r

      Copy, in a secretary hand, with other verses, on a folio leaf of vellum (inverted), deleted and faded.

      First published in Songes and Sonettes (London, 1557). Muir & Thomson, p. 13.

      Sir Thomas Wyatt, 'My hert I gave the not to do it payn'

  • Add. MS 4808

    A volume of papers of Alexander Pope, principally the autograph manuscript of part of his translation of Homer's Iliad, 233 leaves.

    • *CgW 105 f. 191v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Alexander Pope, from Ashley, [late summer 1719?].

      Hodges, No. 133. McKenzie, III, 184 (Letter 66).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)
    • *CgW 107 ff. 192v, 193v
      Autograph

      Autograph letter signed, to Alexander Pope, from Surrey Street, 20 January [1719/20?].

      Hodges, No. 135. McKenzie, III, 185 (Letter 68).

      William Congreve, Letter(s)

  • Add. MS 4843

    A folio volume of Materials for an History of Eton College, probably all in a single hand, i + 213 leaves, in half-morocco.

    Compiled by the Rev. Roger Huggett (c.1711-69), Librarian of Eton College, antiquary.

    Mid-late 18th century.
    • MaA 41 f. 153r-v

      Copy, with Huggett's description of the monument and comments on the incorrect date of 1653 instead of 1658 in ye MS.

      This MS recorded in Kelliher, BLJ, 4, 137.

      First published, as prose, in Miscellaneous Poems (London, 1681). Margoliouth, I, 139-40. This inscription, in lapidary verse, was on a memorial formerly in Eton College Chapel and several extant texts recorded below were transcribed from a transcript of it made by one Taffy Woodward, Chapel Clerk at Eton. See the discussion and reconstructed text in Kelliher (1978), pp. 72-3, and in Kelliher, Some Notes on Andrew Marvell, British Library Journal, 4 (1978), 122-44 (pp. 134-9). Smith, pp. 193-4, with English translation.

      Andrew Marvell, Janae Oxenbrigiae Epitaphium ('Juxta hoc Marmor, breve Mortalitatis speculum')

  • Add. MS 4900

    A folio volume, comprising a copy of Francis Godwin's Catalogue of the Bishops of England (1601) and (f. 58r onwards) verses and music, in a single neat secretary hand, 68 leaves, in calf gilt.

    Early 17th century.

    Presented on 28 August 1767 by Sir Joseph Banks (1743-1820), naturalist and patron of science (constituting Volume XLIV of the Banks collections).

    • HyJ 18 ff. 58v-9r

      Copy, in a musical setting, subscribed finis mr Heywood.

      First published in Halliwell (1848), pp. 79-80. Milligan, pp. 256-7.

      John Heywood, 'What hart can thynk or toong expres'

  • Add. MS 4965

    A folio volume chiefly of heraldic arms, 97 leaves, in modern half brown morocco gilt.

    Partly in the hand of John Woodnoth (d.1634), antiquary, of Shavington Hall, Cheshire, with additions in a late-17th-century hand.

    Chiefly c.1603-34.

    Later owned by Sir Simeon Stuart, third Baronet, MP (c.1724-c.1779/82), of Hartley Mauduit, Hampshire, Chamberlain of the Exchequer (constituting Volume VIII of the Stuart Collection). Purchased in 1778.

    • RaW 677.7 f. 95r

      Extracts, headed Sr Walter Raleigh Histor Mundi Libro 3 fo 15.

      First published in London, 1614. Works (1829), Vols. II-VII.

      Sir Walter Ralegh, The History of the World
    • BcF 13.8 f. 96r

      Copy of an eight-line version, in an italic hand, headed The Brevitye of Mans lyfe, beginning As a Tale tould wch sometymes men attend, and subscribed Fran: Viscount St Albons.

      First published in Thomas Farnaby, Florilegium epigrammatum Graecorum (London, 1629). Poems by Sir Henry Wotton, Sir Walter Raleigh and others, ed. John Hannah (London, 1845), pp. 76-80. Spedding, VII, 271-2. H.J.C. Grierson, Bacon's Poem, The World: Its Date and Relation to certain other Poems, Modern Language Review, 6 (1911), 145-56.

      Francis Bacon, 'The world's a bubble, and the life of man'

  • Add. MS 4968

    An octavo volume of heraldic arms, chiefly in trick, 64 leaves, in calf, stamped in gilt M. B.

    Compiled by Samuel Waker, painter stainer, of London.

    Late 17th century.

    Later owned by Sir Simeon Stuart, third Baronet, MP (c.1724-c.1779/82), of Hartley Mauduit, Hampshire, Chamberlain of the Exchequer (constituting Volume XI of the Stuart Collection). Purchased in 1778.

    • SuJ 125 f. 1r

      Copy, untitled.

      This MS collated in Clayton.

      First published in Last Remains (London, 1659). Clayton, p. 88.

      John Suckling, Love turn'd to Hatred ('I will not love one minute more I swear')
    • EtG 124 f. 49r

      Copy of Gatty's song, untitled.

      First published in London, 1668. Brett-Smith, II, 1-179 (p. 169). Thorpe, p. 23.

      Sir George Etherege, She wou'd if she cou'd, Act V, scene i, lines 312-23. Song ('To little or no purpose I spent many days')
    • ShJ 145 f. 50v

      Copy of the dirge, untitled.

      Gifford & Dyce, VI, 396-7. Armstrong, p. 54. Musical setting by Edward Coleman published in John Playford, The Musical Companion (London, 1667).

      James Shirley, The Contention of Ajax and Ulysses for the Armour of Achilles, Act III, Song ('The glories of our blood and state')

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