'The memoirs [and] reflections of Hr McNiell [of the Harp], written by himself', a manuscript copy of the first volume of the memoirs of Hector MacNeill.
Scope and Contents
The manuscript is in various hands.
Title page, including an epigram, in Latin, of Cicero (folio iii).
'Chap. I The Authors Parentage.' Information concerning MacNeill’s grandfather and father (pages 1-9).
'Chap. II. An unfashionable picture of Domestic Life.' An account of the MacNeills’ domestic life at their home at Rosebank, near Roslin, and subsequently near Loch Lomond (pages 9-17).
'Chap. 3d. Some account of the Author.' Information concerning MacNeill’s education (pages 18-22.
'Chap. 4th. The author leaves his Parental home'. Details concerning MacNeill’s uncle, unnamed, who was a factor for West India planters (pages 22-28).
'Chap. 5. The author departs to the West Indies.' Information on MacNeill’s time in Bristol, including a proposal that he should join a slave trading voyage to Africa, and also details on his voyages to St Kitts and Guadeloupe (pages 29-35).
'Chap. 6. Guadaloupe'. Details concerning MacNeill’s tenure in Guadeloupe (pages 35-52).
'Chap. 7. Antigua.' An account of MacNeill’s stay in St John’s, Antigua (pages 52-62).
'Chap. 8. Grenada.' Details of MacNeill’s stay in Grenada, with a brief mention of the sale of enslaved people by public auction (pages 62-73).
'Chap. 9. Preparations for Revisiting Britain.' The chapter includes observations on MacNeill’s views on slavery (pages 73-90).
'Chap. 10. A Return to a Paternal home.' Details concerning MacNeill’s financial difficulties (pages 91-100).
'Chapter XI. An Introduction to New Scenes, Manners [and] Characters.' Details of MacNeill joining Admiral Francis Geary’s fleet in June 1780 (pages 100-107).
'Chapter XI [sic]. The Boatswain.' A vignette of life aboard HMS Victory in 1780 (pages 108-116).
'Chapter XVII. A small specimen of old Naval Discipline. 1780.' Description of the flogging of a sailor on board HMS Victory in 1780 (pages 116-132).
'Chapter XIX. The Admiral.' A description of MacNeill’s meeting with Admiral Francis Geary (pages 133-146).
'Chapter XX.II. A Second Cruise.' A description of MacNeill’s second cruise aboard HMS Victory, including observations on the treatment of sailors in contrast to enslaved people (pages 147-170).
'Chap: 22. Captain and Seamen.' Details concerning the punishments for misbehaviour aboard Royal Navy vessels (pages 170-188).
Bill, 1912, of M'Culloch [and] Sons, Taxidermists, Glasgow, on the verso of which are recorded notes, in pencil, concerning the manuscript (folio iv).
Dates
- Creation: 1804, 1912.
Creator
- Macneill, Hector, poet, 1746-1818 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
100 Leaves
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
iii folios + 188 pages + vi folios. Existing pagination.
Custodial History
Previously Acc.9037
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1985, by H L R MacNeal, Campbeltown, through the good offices of A I B Stewart, Campbeltown.
Subject
- Macneill, Hector, poet, 1746-1818 (Person)
- Geary, Francis (Admiral) (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts MS.50257
- 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