Houghton MS Eng 584

• Major author

• Primary compiler
• Major author

• Major author

• Major author

  Identified as "Mr. Tate."

Regular.

Calf, subsequently rebacked. Likely copied into gatherings, then post-bound.

Ink and wash landscape drawing on the main title page. 

Title pages on pp. 1, 24 and 183 all include coloured ink (red and yellow). 

Two or three intermingled hands, but all the title pages are seemingly in the hand I'm assuming is B. Cumberlege because it's also responsible for most of his original poems. This hand (also responsible for the Table of Contents) is clearly the organising force/ primary compiler. 

Multiple intermingled hands suggest a team effort, though the volume was clearly organised by Cumberlege. 

The decorative and coloured title page for the final poem, an original poem called “An Elogium upon a Monastick Life” on p. 183, demonstrates pride in the composition. It was seemingly added around the same time as the other coloured title pages (on p. 1 and 24) ie. at the beginning of the compositional process. This is the only item not paginated and the neatness of the hand differs from the previous items, because the book is otherwise increasingly messy. 

Longer poems have title pages and/or running title headings.

Lines between items (sometimes single, sometimes double, sometimes broken) and decorative designs at the end of some items. 

Yes, many items by Cumberlege and a "Mr. Tate." Mostly religious or occasional. 

B. Cumberlege's name appears throughout, as well as on the title page.

Bookplate of Frederick Lewis Gay (Harvard alum "class of 1878"). 

Paginated up to the final item. 

Yes, at the beginning of the volume in Cumberlege's hand.

Yes, with an ink and wash drawing.

Also includes title pages for some individual poems.