Notebook on 'The Baths of La Battaglia' by James Dennistoun

This material is held atEdinburgh University Library Heritage Collections

Scope and Content

Notebooks containing manuscript notes by James Dennistoun, on 'The Baths of La Battaglia & Neighbourhood', that is to say the saline springs of Battaglia Terme, in the region of Padua, Italy. It also contains a loose note entitled 'Note as to Petrarch's cat mummy at Arqua'.

Contents of the notebooks, as described in a typed note at the beginning:

- Description of the Baths, pp. 1-31

- Description of places in neighbourhood, pp. 31-85

- Ingredient & Efficacy of Springs, pp. 27-31

- Panygeric on S. Bartolomeo's Spring, pp. 26-27

- MS of Petrarch's Sonnets in Vatican Library, p. 41

- MSS collected by Petrarch, pp. 47-48

- Sir John Hawkwood's adventures "we may lay before our readers", pp. 51-52

- 200 MS volumes removed to Modena, p. 57

- Desscription of Catajo, baronial residence & museum, pp. 49-60

- Records of Scottish & English students at Padua University. On "shields hung up in its cloisters & stairs may still be traced blazonry well known on both sides of the Tweed." These are painted on earthenware shields. At Bologna University about 11, 000 coats of arms are painted on plaster shields. pp. 83-84

Administrative / Biographical History

James Dennistoun (1803-1855) was a Scottish advocate, antiquary, and art collector, and an acquaintance of David Laing. In 1836 he spent 12 years abroad to devote himself to literary rresearch and art. His country of preference was Italy - he must have visited Battaglia Terme during one of his research trips.

Access Information

Open.

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the Library in 1963. Accession no E63/16.

Archivist's Note

Description created by Aline Brodin in April 2019.

Geographical Names