Miscellaneous pieces in prose and verse, commonplace-book, etc., of Matthew Prior,...

Miscellaneous pieces in prose and verse, commonplace-book, etc., of Matthew Prior, partly autograph and partly in the hand of Adrian Drift, his secretary. Included are:-

1. Jocular (a) letter to Sir Humphrey Polesworth; 13 May, 1712. Copy. f.1;- and (b) deed of transfer of a worn out horse for Lord Harley's hounds; 18 Sept., 1718. Signed; with seal. f.2.

2. List of "Books of the Dauphin's edition" of the Classics received from Lord Harley, 17 Nov., 1719. Autograph. f.3.

3. Receipts to Lord Harley for part of an annuity, etc.; 1 May, 17 July, 1721. Autograph. ff.5, 6.

4. Letter to Bernard de Montfaucon, 12 May, 1721; with answer, 11 July, 1721. Copies. ff.7, 8b.

5. Fragments in verse (ff. 11-72), including (a) "To the horse of Henry the Fourth of France", etc. Autograph. f.13;- (b) "When future ages" ("Works", ed. R. B. Johnson, 1892, ii. p.5). Autograph. f.15;- (c) "Upon the king's taking Namur" (ib.ii. p.182). In the 2nd Lord Oxford's hand. f.16;- (d) "An Ode", in imitation of Horace, Odes II. 2, written in 1692 (ib.ii. p.183). In Drifts hand, with autograph corrections. f.17;- (e) "O dearest daughter", etc. (ib.ii. p. 218). In Drift's hand. f.30;- (f.) "To Richmond and Peterborough", etc, (ib.ii. p.278). f.31;- (g) "Your daughter went to view the Muses seat", etc. f.32;- (h) "The Conversation", beg. "It always has been thought discreet" (ii. p.233). f.34;- (i) "Epitaph", beg. "Meck Franco Lyes here" (ii. p.36). f.36;- (k) "Pen, ink and wax", etc. (ii.p.274). f.37;- (l) "Colin's Mistakes" (ii. p.294). f.38;- (m) Various short pieces. ff.40-44;- (n) Fragments transcribed from loose pieces of paper" ff.45-52;- (o) "Brouillons of prose and verse (not finished)", etc. Autograph. ff.53-63;- (p) "Fragment for Alma (not finished)". f.64;- (q) Verses on his housekeeper(?), beg. (imperfectly?) "Releas'd from the noise of the Butcher and Baker". Partly autograph. ff.65-72.

6. Rough autograph notes (a) "Concerning Colours". f.73;- (b) on architecture, etc. f.77.

7. "Common-place Book for prose and verse, 1720 and 1721". Autograph. ff.94-120.

8. "Schedule of Mr Prior's Letter-Books and Papers delivered to the Earl of Stair at Paris", 13 Feb., 1715 (cf. Vol. XIII.), with Lord Stair's receipt. ff.121-147.