Manuscript fragment on one leaf of parchment of Homer, Ilias, 24.493-536 (lines 501-02 are nearly illegible).
Description:
In Greek., Script: Written by one hand in Greek minuscule, using brown ink; some accent marks added later in black., 1-line initial in red., and Discoloration, rubbing and punctures across lines 9-11, effacing some of the text; was once used as a binding reinforcement.
Manuscript, in a single hand, of a book of instruction for the author's daughter. Although the volume contains information on parts of speech, explanations of the meanings of words in the English language, basic mathematics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, systems of government, and numerous prayers and meditations, the bulk of the volume is given to instruction on letter-writing and astronomy. The manuscript contains guidelines for how to address a queen, a duchess, or someone of one's own station; how to end letters; and how to write a "billet"; as well as form letters of thanks, consolation, recommendation, "congratulation for the recovery of health," and "to a lady newly come to London." The section on astronomy includes 7 diagrams and includes information on the positions of the planets, the phases of the moon, and eclipses
Description:
Stanhope, Philip, second earl of Chesterfield (1633-1714), courtier and politician, was the eldest son of Henry Stanhope (d. 1634), and his wife Katherine (bap. 1609, d. 1667). He was involved in numerous duels, fleeing the country after having killed Francis Wolley, the son of a Hammersmith doctor, in a duel on 17 January 1660. Chesterfield was appointed on 24 February 1662 as lord chamberlain to Queen Catherine of Braganza, and on 13 June 1667 was made the colonel of a foot regiment, but it was disbanded following the treaty of Breda. That year he married his third wife, Lady Elizabeth Dormer (1653-1677). They had two sons and two daughters, one of whom was Lady Mary Stanhope, for whom the manuscript was written. He continued to be active in politics, supporting his tory son-in-law Thomas Coke in Derbyshire elections in 1701-2., Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke, eldest daughter of Philip Stanhope, 2nd Earl of Chesterfield, married Thomas Coke of Melbourne, Derbyshire., In English., Note on verso of front endpaper: See 'a Prayer after the confession of sins.' and 'a Prayer for the Dead." both at the end of this M.S. 1814., Inscription on verso of front endpaper: Cecil Henry Southwell the gift of his dear Papa., Written on flyleaf: notes written by Thomas, 3rd Baron Southwell concerning the genealogy of the Stanhope family, including a biography of Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke and her daughter, Mary Baroness Southwell. He mentions that Lady Mary (Stanhope) Coke was his great-grandmother., Written on verso of flyleaf: note by Mary Southwell dated 1756 explaining the manuscript was used to instruct her mother in "what was proper for a young Lady to know," and bequeathing the volume to her granddaughter Frances upon her death., Bookplate of Viscount Thomas Southwell, 3rd Baron Southwell., Marbled endpapers., and Binding: full calf; gilt decoration. Printed on spine: 1st Earl of Chesterfield to his D. L. M. Coke.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain
Subject (Name):
Aristotle., Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope, Earl of, 1633-1713., Cicero, Marcus Tullius., Coke, Mary Stanhope, Lady, 1664-1703., Homer., Southwell family., and Southwell, Thomas Southwell, Baron, 1721-1780.
Subject (Topic):
Astronomy, Letter writing, Nobility, Social life and customs, Women, Conduct of life, and Education
