Houghton MS Eng 768

Title A Collection of various kinds of Poetry
Archive Houghton Library
Call Number Houghton MS Eng 768
Complete Yes
Description

Melesinda Munbee (seemingly transcribed by Elizabeth Munbee), 1749–1750.

A manuscript verse miscellany assembled in childhood, based on a father's library. 

Two volumes, 44 poems.

Many items by Swift; other bawdy contents.

Format Octavo
Book Size 18cm x 12.2cm (vol. 1); 17.8cm x 12.2cm (vol. 2)
Filled Page Count Vol 1: 93 leaves; Vol 2: 89 leaves
Item Count 44
Poem Count 44
Periods
First Line Index Yes
Digitized Yes
Region
Additional Genres
Print Sources
Major Themes

Major themes prominent among the manuscript contents in alphabetical order.

Minor Themes

Other themes of interest among the manuscript contents in alphabetical order.

Links
Bibliography
Citation

Houghton MS Eng 768.” Manuscript Verse Miscellanies, 1700–1820, edited by Betty A. Schellenberg, Simon Fraser University, https://mvm.dhil.lib.sfu.ca/manuscript/347. Accessed .

Created 2020-02-12 7:36:32 AM
Updated 2023-07-25 11:24:06 AM
Contributor Role
Elizabeth Munbee
  • Primary compiler

    Same handwriting as in her book, Clark MS 1982.002. 

    Seemingly transcribed this book for her little sister, Melesinda.

Melesinda Munbee
Valentine Munbee
Jonathan Swift
First Line Context Print Source
As some fond virgin, whom her mother's care

vol. 1, pp. 150–154.

Local title: To a Young Lady on her leaving ye Town after ye Coronation.

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Beneath this Stone lies Katherine Gray

f. 20v

Local title: n/a

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: "Catherine Gray" instead of "Katherine Gray."

Other: n/a

Unknown
Father of All! in every Age

vo. 2, f. 28v.

Local title: n/a

Attributed author: Alexander Pope.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
The Counsels of a Friend, Belinda, hear

vol. 2, f. 75v.

Local title: n/a

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
The Scepticks think, 'twas long ago,

vol. 1, p. 14

Local title: The Ladle

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
The solitary bird of night

vol. 2, pp. 15–23.

Local title: An Ode to Wisdom.

Attributed author: a Lady.

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Ye distant Spires, ye antique Towers

vol. 2, f. 89v

Local title: n/a

Attributed author: n/a

Adaptation: n/a

Other variants: n/a

Other: n/a

Unknown
Feature Note
Author attributions

Frequent, often as part of the title. 

Binding

Red morocco, gilt. 

Decorations - hand-drawn
Pen and ink drawings throughout; chiefly pattern designs in volume 1; designs, landscapes, still-lifes and birds in volume 2, some embellished with wash.
Hands

Single.

See similarities to Elizabeth Munbee's hand in Clark MS 1982.002. Possibly transcribed by Elizabeth for her little sister. 

Indications of use

Pencil lines drawn faintly on the page suggest this manuscript was used for handwriting learning or practice (given the age of the compiler). 

vol. 1 p. 67 Riddles, then vol. 1 p. 83 the solutions to the riddles ie. intended to be read by someone other than the compiler who wouldn’t already know the answers.

Item formatting

New items frequently begun on new pages.

Double-lines between items, and each title and first line. Sometimes little drawings or beautiful symbols between items.

Organization
Dedicated to Munbee's father, Valentine Munbee.
Ownership mark

Signed.

Note on the title page says "Vol. ye 1st compleated at ye age of 5 yrs & 5 mo."

Page layout

Volume 1 is paginated (on every verso page); volume 2 in unpaginated.

Table of Contents

Volume 1 yes, volume 2 no.

Title page

Yes.

"Vol. ye 1st compleated at ye age of 5 yrs & 5 mo" written on first titled page.