Folger MS W.a.271

• Primary compiler

• Major author

pp. 87–89

Local title: Verses, supposed to be written by Alexander Selkirk, during his solitary Abode in the Island of Juan Fernandez.

Attributed author: Cowper.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

p. 6. 

Local title: Spoken extempore to a Lady who ask’d what the World was like; Sent with a White Rose to a Lady of the Lancastrian party by a Gentleman of the House of York.

Attributed author: Gentleman of the House of York.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: 4-line variant. 

Other: n/a

pp. 95–99.

Local title: Verses, written by the late Bishop Lowth at fourteen Years of Age on being awaken'd by a violent Storm of Thunder and Lightening.

Attributed author: Bishop Lowth. 

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

p. 107.

Local title: Verses, making part of an Epitaph on Mrs. Lyttleton.

Attributed author: George Lyttleton Esqr

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: "with gentle, female tenderness" variant of the poem. 

Other: n/a

pp. 48–50.

Local title: A Prayer to Indifference

Attributed author: Mrs. Greville

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: Followed by Carlisle's Answer (pp. 147–149).

p. 187

Local title: "Margaret Scott died at Dalkeith 9th of February 1738"

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

p. 8.

Local title: Epitaph on Mrs Mason in the Cathedral at Bristol.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: Seems to use "?" for both "!" and "?"

Other: n/a

pp. 1–5

Local title: Advice to a Lady

Attributed author: George Lord Lyttleton

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

pp. 61–62.

Local title: To Mrs Bishop with a Ring—sent by her Husband.

Attributed author: Her Husband.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

pp. 21–22.

Local title: Written by Mrs Molesworth at Bath to her Husband who was Absent, when she was given over by her Physicians.

Attributed author: Mrs Molesworth.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

pp. 105

Local title: Epitaph on a Lady who died at Bristol Hot Wells of a Consumption - By her Husband

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

pp. 147–149

Local title: Answer from the Countess of Carlisle to Mrs Greville upon her Ode to Indifference (see Page 48).

Attributed author: Countess Carlisle. Also a pencil attribution at the end, "Lady Tuite's[?]" 

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: First line: "Is that your wish to lose all sense..."

Other: Preceded by Greville's "A Prayer to Indifference" (pp. 48–50).

Frequent, most often in headers. 

11 completely blank leaves in the middle. 

Possibly two different bindings put together, though weight and size of paper appear very similar in both sections; break occurs in blank middle section; binding is coming apart there.

Possibly subsequently rebound as the binding leather is on the spine only, but labelled “Poetry.”

One flyleaf page torn out.

Contemporary binding, marbled paper boards.

Single.

Occasional footnotes to explain references – implying a somewhat later audience.

Several items indicate “not to be given away/parted with” – suggesting private circulation of these poems. Also implies that the rest of the collection is being shared.

Sometimes a horizontal line entirely across page to show end of a poem.

Seemingly composed from both ends at once (one end with commonplace extracts, the other with Shakespeare). 

Possibly—several items indicate “not to be given away/parted with,” possibly suggesting the compiler’s authorship. 

Signature of Louisa Grey on front pastedown. The year "AD 1765" also appears on front pastedown in a different hand. "Louisa Grey, 1784" is visible underneath the front pastedown.