Manuscript of 'Elements of agriculture' by James Hutton.
Scope and Contents
This, James Hutton's last work, was unfinished at his death in 1797. The text is written by an amanuensis on the rectos only, with occasional notes on the versos. Not infrequently pieces have been torn from the sheets before they were written on. There are some corrections by Hutton himself, especially at the beginning, and an early draft of part of the preface, bound in after folio 2, is also in his hand. On folios ii-viii are comments on the work in an unidentified hand.
Dates
- Creation: 1794-1797.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
2 Volumes ; Quarto.
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Arrangement
As it stands the manuscript is in eight parts, each in several chapters; part 5, chapter 6 is not included; and two sections which are not integrated into this scheme are placed at the beginning of the second volume. Various papers were used, some of which have dates in their watermarks: 1794 (parts 1 and 2; part 4, chapter 1 and 2, sections 2-4; part 5, chapter 2 middle-3; part 8; and the unintegrated sections), 1795 (part 6, chapter 2 middle-3; part 7, introduction and chapter 1 and 4 middle-6, section 3; also isolated leaves in part 7, chapter 6, section 5 ([folios 915, 925]), 1796 (part 3, chapters 1-5 beginning and 6-7; part 5, chapter l. section l middle-chapter 2 middle, and chapter 8 end; part 6, chapter 1-3 middle; also isolated leaves in part 2, chapter 2 [folios 67, 69], and part 7, chapter 6 [folio 901]), and 1797 (part 4, chapter l end-2, section l middle, and chapters 3-4).
The part and chapter number are written on the verso of every fourth leaf, suggesting that sections of two bifolia were employed. The manuscript is foliated throughout, except for the two unintegrated sections now at the beginning of the second volume. Another foliation in pencil implies a different arrangement (part 3, chapters 1-2 omitted; large addition after part 3; part 4, chapters 3-4 after chapter 1; the two unintegrated sections after part 4) and division into volumes (before part 5).
Custodial History
The manuscript was presented to the Edinburgh Geological Society by James Melvin, Vice-President of the Society, on 17 November 1887 (inscription on folio i). It was later deposited with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and (from 1949) with the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The present binding has the label of John Irving, stationer, 98 George Street, Edinburgh, and can therefore be dated to 1878-1904.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Deposited, 1987, by the Edinburgh Geological Society.
Bibliography
Genre / Form
- 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