Miscellaneous papers
MS. Beckford c. 84
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
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Title
Miscellaneous papers
Shelfmark
MS. Beckford c. 84
Summary
Some of the contents were dispersed by Boyd Alexander elsewhere in the collection, or are missing.
(fols. 10-80b) letters, and literary scraps in prose and verse, 1770-1837, in Beckford's wrappers, including:
(fols. 5-6) a testimonial to Beckford's good behaviour towards his wife, signed and sealed by magistrates and other citizens of Vevey, Switzerland, 1786
(fol. 7) a report in French on Beckford's background and character, late 18th cent.
(fol. 13) a mock petition signed by many members of the Pitt family to Beckford's mother, 1772
(fol. 36) journal entries, 2-3 Oct. 1786, Marseilles (the entry for 6 Oct. is in MS. Beckford c. 43, fol. 13)
(fol. 48v) verses perhaps by Beckford, beg. 'Tho' I set to the bacon & danced with the spoon', and 'Not all the glories of the purple morn'
(fols. 55-61) lists of books
(fols. 63-7) cuttings from the Sunday Times, 1823, attacking Beckford, and drafts of a note by Beckford beg. 'As I do not recollect treading upon this rattle snake', 1839
(fols. 68-9) a mock review by Beckford of his Italy, 1834
(fol. 70) draft introduction to 'Flowers of nonsense' (see MS. Beckford c. 55, fols. 218-19)
(fols. 80av-80b) draft on pages numbered 3-4 of a part of Dreams (1783), pp. 2-3, beg. 'an old haunt of mine'
Also includes:
(fols. 91-6) 'Particulars relative to Japan by M. Titsingh late ambassador to the Emperors of China & Japan', 1800, in an unidentified hand
(fols. 105-51) drawings and sketches, including some by Sir John Soane, James Wyatt and (fols. 118-50 passim) Beckford, mainly architectural, some on scraps of newspaper, 1821-43, with (fols. 134-41) 'Plans & sketches [by Beckford] for Milford Villa June 1843'
(fols. 152-97) miscellaneous printed items, 1804-43, n.d., many of them removed from Beckford's packets of newspaper cuttings
(fols. 198-203) a printed catalogue, 'Ancient Chinese Bronzes' (G. Smeeton, printer, 17 St Martin's Lane, n.d.), containing an introductory note and descriptions of sixty items
Date
1686-1853, n.d.
Language
English
Physical extent
207 Leaves
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Collection contents
Miscellaneous papers
Miscellaneous papers
