`Treatise on the Provincial Dialect of Scotland`, a work in two volumes by Sylvester Douglas, Baron Glenbervie.
Scope and Contents
The two volumes contain Book I, Chapters 1-4: it is not known if the work proceeded any further. It is a didactic work, intended not only to describe the ways in which Scottish usage and pronunciation differ from English but also to recommend adherence to English usage, and it draws upon French and Italian as well as English authors. It is undated: the latest datable reference in the text appears to be to Thomas Sheridan`s ‘Lectures on the Art of Reading’ which was published in 1775, and from references to other contemporary authors it would appear to have been written, or at least begun, not long afterwards. The text is written on the rectos of the leaves: there are numerous deletions and amendments throughout, some quite lengthy, many of which are written on the versos, and some of these have been subsequently deleted. It is not clear whether the work was intended for publication: besides the numerous alterations, there is, at Adv.MS.23.7.19, folio 55 verso, what may be an instruction to the printer. Glenbervie’s bookplate is pasted inside the front cover of each volume.
Dates
- Creation: After 1775.
Extent
0.00 Linear metres (2 volumes. Quarto.)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
The manuscript was formerly in the library of Sir Thomas Phillipps. It was bought by the Advocates’ Library at Sotheby`s, June 1893, lot 685.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Bibliography
`Catalogus Librorum Manuscriptorum in Bibliotheca D. Thomae Phillipps, Bt.` (1837-1871): manuscript 8324.
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Date
- 25 05 2015
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk