Transcript in a contemporary hand, of the ‘Autobiography’ of Alexander Carlyle, Minister of Inveresk.
Scope and Contents
This version of the ‘Autobiography’, the same as that found in MS.3462 (folios 1-371), contains also the opening pages which are missing in that manuscript. Included (as far as folio 34 verso) are numerous excerpts from Thomas Carlyle's 'Recollections', some of which were printed for the first time, perhaps from MS.3463, in the form of footnotes in the 1910 edition of the ‘Autobiography’. Thereafter, apart from minor variations in arrangement and the omission of several paragraphs, the text is that of the 1860 and 1910 editions. At folios 404-444, however, is found a journal of a tour to the north of Scotland made by Carlyle in 1765. This does not appear in the printed editions, which indicate only the fact that Carlyle made the tour.
On the front board is a note by John Lee, Principal of Edinburgh University, while folio 1 consists of a letter, 1819, by Carlyle Bell, Writer to the Signet, to Lee, with a copy of a letter from a Dr Brown to Carlyle Bell; both of these relate to a proposal to publish material relating to Alexander Carlyle. Some supplementary notes by John Lee are to be found on folio 7.
Dates
- Creation: 1765, 1800, 1819.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
517 Leaves
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Arrangement
vii + 510 + several blank folios.
Custodial History
The transcript was bought by the National Library of Scotland with the aid of the Reid Fund.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bought, Dowell's, 3 March 1949, lot 404.
Bibliography
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- 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