Research Catalog

Title

The leisure hours amusement of a young lady, presented by her, as a token of grateful remembrance to her friend, Mr. E. S. U. : [commonplace book].

Publication

[Oxfordshire and Cornwall?, ca. 1822-1843]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Found In

Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle: Manuscripts, 1772-1925

Description

1 volume ([18], 138, [139-292] p.); 24.3 cm.

Summary

Manuscript commonplace book compiled in two distinct halves, the first by an anonymous young lady. Her contribution consists of 138 numbered pages, containing 94 poems and extracts in ink. Many pieces are uncredited and apparently copied from literary journals; noted dates range between 1822 and 1825. Among the few credited pieces are poems by Robert Southey, Bernard Barton, and Samuel Johnson. The second half carries a special title-page ("Part the Second, dedicated with affectionate esteem to B. P."), and contains many signed notes by its compiler, "E.S.U.," the dedicatee of the first half. E.S.U. copies 107 poems and extracts, some apparently being creations of his own, in ink, throughout 148 unnumbered pages. Credited writers include Lord Byron, Chandos Leigh, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; two poems by Percy Bysshe Shelley ("To a Skylark" and "Love's Philosophy") are included, but uncredited. Noted dates range between 1840 and 1843.

Alternative Title

Part the Second, dedicated with affectionate esteem to B. P.

Subjects

• English poetry > 19th century > Manuscripts > Specimens
• Commonplace books

Genre/Form

Commonplace books.

Access (note)

• Restricted access;

Biography (note)

• Though neither the young lady nor E.S.U. could be identified, there are some clues as to their identities. One poem in the first part is addressed "To B. P. by her friend Miss Taylor of Godington Hall." B. P. is certainly the dedicatee of the second part, though it does not seem entirely clear that she is also the compiler of the first part. Miss Taylor could not be identified, but Godington Hall is an Elizabethan mansion near Bicester in Oxfordshire. E.S.U. notes that one of the poems he copies, written at Newport in South Wales, is "an effusion of Mr. Marshall Scott, my colleague in editorial labors, and like myself, an occasional contributer to the 'poets-corner' of our provincial press." One note by E.S.U. refers to a visit to Penzance; another is dated from Falmouth.

Call Number

Pforz BND-MSS (Leisure hours amusement of a young lady)

OCLC

712592579

Title

The leisure hours amusement of a young lady, presented by her, as a token of grateful remembrance to her friend, Mr. E. S. U. : [commonplace book].

Imprint

[Oxfordshire and Cornwall?, ca. 1822-1843]

Access

Restricted access; Pforzheimer Collection; Permit must be requested at the division indicated.

Biography

Though neither the young lady nor E.S.U. could be identified, there are some clues as to their identities. One poem in the first part is addressed "To B. P. by her friend Miss Taylor of Godington Hall." B. P. is certainly the dedicatee of the second part, though it does not seem entirely clear that she is also the compiler of the first part. Miss Taylor could not be identified, but Godington Hall is an Elizabethan mansion near Bicester in Oxfordshire. E.S.U. notes that one of the poems he copies, written at Newport in South Wales, is "an effusion of Mr. Marshall Scott, my colleague in editorial labors, and like myself, an occasional contributer to the 'poets-corner' of our provincial press." One note by E.S.U. refers to a visit to Penzance; another is dated from Falmouth.

Connect to:

Request Access to the Pforzheimer Collection

Illustrated Guide with Contents List

Other Title

Part the Second, dedicated with affectionate esteem to B. P.

Found In:

Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle: Manuscripts, 1772-1925

Research Call Number

Pforz BND-MSS (Leisure hours amusement of a young lady)