Commonplace Book

The volume contains extracts, taken mostly from the Morning post, 1806-1812. One extract is marked 'William Withall scripsit Aged 15 Years', and another is marked with his name. The subject matter includes the death of William Pitt; a description of Sutton, Bedfordshire; poems, including 'The modern Goth' by H.B.M. on Gothic/Classical architecture; a Song on Pitt's birthday by George Canning; 'An Address to England on Lord Nelson's death' by Thomas Fitzgerald; 'Wellington's triumph,&Portugal relieved' by William Thomas Fitzgerald; 'Riddle by the late Mr. Fox'; the death of Nelson; the assault on Buenos Aires, 1807; obituaries, including Abraham Newland and 'Mr. Perkis, who was born blind'; and the death of Charles James Fox. There are also newscuttings, 1796 and 1813-1833, covering Mr. Pitt's monument, 1813; the Lord Mayor's dinner, 1824; the Westminster election, 1796; George Canning's Budget speech, 1827; the Merchant Taylors Dinner, 1827, where Peel was admitted as a Freeman; the Pitt Club Anniversary Dinner, 1827; and an action for trespass, Sir Charles Burrell v. Parish of St. Margaret's Westminster, 1833.

Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).

Purchased 1989

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.