Manuscripts

Paradise Lost

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Description: Two bound volumes containing a manuscript copy of Paradise Lost in the handwriting of Sarah Siddons. Volume 1 is prefaced by a handwritten 22-line eulogistic poem beginning, "Penned by a hand of Elegance and grace ..." by her son Henry Siddons. Volume 1 (199 pages) contains book 1 through book 5, line 720, and volume 2 (242 pages) continues to the end of book 12. The last page of volume 2 contains the note "Many of the learned [?] similes & parts meerly [sic] descriptive and narrative are omitted in this copy, in order to facilitate the reading of the poem aloud."
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: [1791-1796].
Call number: mssHM 2865
Creator: Milton, John (1608-1674)(Opens in new tab)

1914 and other poems

Manuscripts

A poem, probably by Harrison Ford, dedicated to Rupert Brooke's book 1914 and other poems (London : Sidgwick & Jackson, 1915) The poem begins with the line: "Frail volume, in these eager hands I hold..."

mssHM 62778

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Commonplace book

Manuscripts

A commonplace book containing an acrostic written by Charles Lamb and a poem by Mary Matilda Betham; the volume also contains plant specimens, pencil and watercolor drawings, and a newspaper clipping. The spine is detached and the pages are loose.

mssHM 11586

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John Burroughs letter to "Miss White" and poem

Manuscripts

John Burroughs wrote this letter to "Miss White" from his home in West Park, New York, talking about his poem "Waiting" (written in 1862). He explains that the poem reflected his future philosophy of life. Accompanying the letter is a handwritten copy of the poem in Burroughs' hand. Both items are glued on album pages.

mssHM 82430

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Sarah Siddons letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison and engravings

Manuscripts

Volume containing an undated two-page letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison of Norwich, England, circa 1788, sent by Siddons' following her return to her Gower Street residence in London. The letter is preceded by eight engraved portraits of Siddons and followed by a typescript transcript of the letter and biographical sketch of Siddons. The portraits consist of "Mrs. Siddons. After the Picture by Sir Joshua Reynolds," engraved by W. Holl; Mrs. Siddons from a drawing by Downman; "Mrs. Siddons as the Tragic Muse," by Joshua Reynolds, engraved by John Bromley, and published by Moon, Boys & Graves, July 2, 1832; "Mrs. Siddons as Euphrasia ... The Grecian Daughter," by DeWilde and Conde, printed for J. Bell, 1792; "Mrs. Siddons as Jane Shore," by Hamilton and Leney, published by J. Bell, 1791; "Mrs. Siddons as Lady MacBeth," engraved by J. Rogers, published by G. Virtue, 1825; and "Mrs. Siddons as Medea" engraved by Thornthwaite.

mssHM 24038

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Miscellaneous pieces

Manuscripts

A manuscript volume containing 151 poems, songs, and essays; the volume consists of John Playle's own writings which he compiled for his son John who had emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts. The volume was completed in 1868 and includes pieces that were written from 1809 to 1868; the volume also includes an introduction, with brief notes on many of the pieces. The writings cover many subjects, including family celebrations, special occasions, London, and historical events such as the Chartist Riots, the Crimean War, and the introduction of the electric telegraph. The volume is bound in brown leather with a damaged spine and loose pages. In addition to the volume is one loose song with the first line of: "Every bud, as it opes its eye..." (January 31, 1873); also enclosed is an offprint from the "Proceedings of the Huguenot Society" (Vol. XXVI No 5), entitled "Victorian Songs of a Friend of La Providence: John Playle's 'Miscellaneous Pieces'" (1997), written by David Stopford Brooke. The two additional items are housed in separate folders in the box with the volume.

mssHM 83786

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Thomas Campbell notebook on the English stage and "Life of Mrs. Siddons"

Manuscripts

Volume is also referred to as "Notes on the English Stage" and "Original manuscript notebook of Thomas Campbell, the poet, for his "Life of Mrs. Siddons." Includes separated housing.

mssHM 33780

Paradise Lost

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You might also be interested in

1914 and other poems

Commonplace book

John Burroughs letter to "Miss White" and poem

Sarah Siddons letter to Rev. Mr. Dennison and engravings

Miscellaneous pieces

Thomas Campbell notebook on the English stage and "Life of Mrs. Siddons"