Christina Rossetti and others letters

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  Dante Gabriel Rossetti letter to William Bell Scott

  Manuscripts

  A.L.S. from D.G. Rossetti to William Bell Scott; the date of 'April 1877' added in pencil at the bottom of letter in an unknown hand.

  mssHM 80251

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  Henry James and others letters

  Manuscripts

  This material includes (1 letter) by Alice James (HM 66107), (9) by Henry James (HM 66108-66116), and (1) by William James (HM 66117).

  mssHM 66107-66117

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  Christopher Isherwood letters and postcards to Annie Avis, Emily Machell, Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood ; Richard Isherwood diary

  Manuscripts

  This material includes 7 letters and postcards written by Christopher Isherwood to his nanny, Annie Avis (1911-1933, HM 83257-83261, 83263-83264); 1 letter to his grandmother, Emily Machell-Smith (1921, Dec. 28, HM 83262); 1 postcard to his mother, Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood (1937, Mar. 22, HM 83265). Also included is a diary kept by Christopher Isherwood's brother, Richard Isherwood for the year 1956 (HM 83266); there is an inscription from Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood and various B&W photographs pasted into the volume, including photographs of Christopher Isherwood and Kathleen Bradshaw-Isherwood.

  mssHM 83257-83266

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  Charles Plummer letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  These manuscripts are a series of letters written by Charles Plummer to his family. The first four letters (HM 23343-23346) are addressed to his father, Farnham Plummer, with the final letter (HM 23347) written to his sister Elizabeth. The first letter, HM 23343 dated 1849, February 4 - July 7, also contains a table of daily observations taken by Charles during his trip to California from his home state of Massachusetts, via Cape Horn. The chart is divided by latitude and longitude, and includes barometer and thermometer readings for each date. Also included are incidental details such as landmarks sighted, other ships sighted, and Charles' health (eg. "A little unwell. Took medicine"). The letter is dated 1849, June 30 and July 4, and describes the latter part of Charles' voyage and arrival at San Francisco. He writes that the voyage by sea (as a while has been a pleasant and a lucky one." HM 23344, dated 1851, March 14, sees Charles in San Francisco, and in fine health, but concerned about how he might make some money. He describes local gold mines, each being different from the next, and says he will send home some of the "gold burning quartz" he has found. He writes of meeting Chinese and French immigrants, and asks about family back home in Massachusetts. In HM 23345 (1853, March 10), Charles wishes to hear news of home, in his father's hand in particular, for he has had none for a good while. He has made new friends, and has met a few people he knew from home. He closes his letter as follows: "I would like much to see my native town once more, and trust I may ere another frontier shall pass away." HM 23346, dated 1855, January 1, finds Charles asking once more for a letter from home. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year, and says that the day is marked in California much like it is in New York or Massachusetts, and most of the local stores are closed. He is astonished by how much liquor has been consumed in San Francisco for the occasion. Included in HM 23347 (dated 1856, August 4) is a print of the public execution of Hetherington and Brace, "The Murderers of Baldwin, Randall, West, and Marion, July 29th, 1856" outside Fort Vigilance, upon which Charles has made handwritten notes. In the letter, written to his sister Elizabeth, Charles describes being a witness at this execution, which he went to because "business was suspended all about town and I could accomplish nothing." He writes of the fruit industry in San Francisco, and how it differs in operation compared to back home.

  mssHM 23343-23347

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  H.O. Comstock letters to his family

  Manuscripts

  These manuscripts are three letters written by H.O. Comstock to his family, describing his journey from New York to California. The first letter is dated 1849, February 17 (HM 24501) and addressed to "Father", and finds the younger Comstock in good spirits, setting sail from New York in fine weather aboard the brig "Empire." The ship is bound for Vera Cruz, Mexico, which Comstock believes should be reached in about fifteen days, and then on to Cape Horn, and finally to California. In HM 24502 (1849, March 1-12, and addressed to "Father, Mother, Brother, & Sister"), Comstock is 360 miles out from Vera Cruz. The sea voyage has been very cold, cramped, and unpleasant, but he is in good health, and he describes the journey at length. The "Empire" reaches Vera Cruz on March 12. Comstock and the other travelers are relieved to exit the ship, and he marvels at a castle built on a coral reef, and other details of the Mexican coast, such as the buildings, flora, and fauna. He finds the local fare to be exotic and delicious. He thinks the Mexicans all look similar, with the same hair, skin, and noses, and the noise of animals and watchmen keeps him awake at night. He writes that so far, he and his companions "have not found half the difficulty so far that we expected & unless we find hardship more than is common, we shall have nothing but a pleasant jaunt through to the country." He promises to write again once he reaches San Francisco. Comstock writes to his parents from San Francisco in HM 24503 (1849, June 5) that he has "arrived at the 'Promised Land' with health unimpaired." He is thankful that his voyage has been uneventful, compared with others that he has heard of which were fraught with misfortune. On April 28, Comstock visited San Blas, which he describes as "a miserable little village, composed chiefly of mud huts," and finds San Francisco much more agreeable. He describes the city and its inhabitants in considerable detail, as he wishes to give his father "a true account (as far as I am able)," and includes description of gold mines. He wishes he could write to family letters individually, but has not had time. As he closes, Comstock writes that he is heading for the mines, and says he may not write or receive letters for six months, until his return to San Francisco.

  mssHM 24501-24503

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  Chronicles : [manuscript]

  Manuscripts

  ff. 1-2. [Isidore] [Etymologies]. Incipit: Prima etas in exordio [sui] continet creacionem mundi. Explicit: Residuum sexte etatis tempus deo soli est cognitum. Rubric: Incipit liber v Rubrica de discripcione temporum ysidorus. Latin. Isidore, Etymologies, Bk. 5, ch. 39, PL 82:224-228. f. 2v. [Divisiones episcopatum yspanie tempore Regis Vambe = Dioceses in Spain]. Incipit: Theodosius fuit rex catholicus et fecit celebrare concilium in gallecia apud Lucensem urbem et divisit omnes dioceses inter omnes episcopos gallecie sicut hic scriptum est. Ad kathedram bracarensem dedit ecclesias. Explicit: postea divisit sedes narbonem et sunt ix sed non curavi hic ponere nomina eorum. Rubric: Divisiones episcopatum yspanie tempore Regis Vambe. Latin. ff. 2v-3v. [Ista sunt concilia que facta fuerunt in yspania Councils of the church of Spain]. Incipit: Concilium primum fuit yspania Elibertanum xviii episcoporum temporibus constantini gestum eodem tempore quo enicena [sic] sinodus habita est. Explicit: petrus elborensis, aloarius ubi est modo civitatem caliabriensem [sic]. Expliciunt concilia id est numerus conciliorum yspanie prout inveni in libro canonum. Rubric: Ista sunt concilia que facta fuerunt in yspania. Latin. Resumé of the headings and lists of bishops from Isidore, Concilia Hispaniae, PL 84:301-626. ff. 3v-6. [Incipit istoria gotica edita a Roderico toletane ecclesie sacerdote Chapter list of histoires of R. Jiménez de Rada]. Incipit: i, De Europa et generacione Iaphet. Explicit: ccciiii, De monarchia yuceh citra mare et ultra mare. Explicit. Rubric: Incipit istoria gotica edita a Roderico toletane ecclesie sacerdote. Latin. Chapter list to the histories of Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, archbishop of Toledo, contained in this manuscript. f. 6r-v. [Noticia sedium cathedralium hispanie = List of the dioceses of Spain]. Incipit: Tolleto metropoli, Oreto. Explicit: Dominus philippus Fater [sic] domini regis Ramundus. Hic fuit primus loco prelati in ecclesia hispalensis ex quo modo fuit capta per christianos. Explicit. Rubric: Noticia sedium cathedralium hispanie. Latin. Includes a reference to"Gundisalvus qui nunc est"; his dates are 1280-99?. ff. 6v-8v.[Hic qui secuntur fuerunt regis gothorum = Kings of Spain]. Incipit: Era ccc lxxxi, Regnavit athanaricus primus Rex gothorum xiiii annis. Explicit: et fuit primus rex in navarra. Rubric: Hic qui secuntur fuerunt regis gothorum. Latin. Includes a reference to"Alfonsus qui nunc est quem deus dirigat" (his dates are 1252-1284), to"Dionisius [1279-1325] qui nunc est" (his dates are 1279-1325) and to James"qui habet regnum maioricorum" (his dates are 1276-1311). ff. 9-75v. [Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada] Historia gothica. Incipit: Ut veritas genesis attestatur quam moyses scripsit. Explicit: et multa alia quorum esset narrare. Hoc opusculum ut scivi et potui consumavi anno incarnationis domini M cc xliii Era MCC lxxxi Anno xxvi regni fernandi regis v feria pridie kalendas aprilis anno pontificatus nostri xxxiii Sede apostolica adhuc vacante anno uno mensibus viii diebus x gregorio papa ix viam universe carnis ingresso. Rubric: Incipit hystoria Gothica edita a Roderico Tolletane ecclesie sacerdote. Latin. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Historia Gothica in A. Schott, ed., Hispania Illustrata (Frankfurt 1603) 2:26-148. M. C. Diaz y Diaz, Index Scriptorum Latinorum Medii Aevi Hispanorum (Salamanca 1958-59) 1241. Here preceded by a dedication and a prologue. ff. 75v-78v. [Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada] Historia romanorum. Incipit: Principium autem regum lacii istud fuit. Explicit: et variorum presidium tiranide lacerata. Rubric: De regibus lacii, ccxxi. Latin. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Historia Romanorum in Schott, 2:186-95. Diaz y Diaz 1245. ff. 78v-83. [Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada] Historia hunnorum. Incipit: Hugnorum origo ut reffert antiquitas ita cepit. Explicit: gallia gothica in hyspaniam transtulerunt. Rubric: De origine hugnorum. Latin. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Historia Hunnorum in Schott, 2:151-59. Diaz y Diaz 1243. ff. 83-84v. [Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada] Historia ostrogothorum et visigothorum. Incipit: Mortuo athilla Walamen rex astrogothorum et albaricus rex gepidarum. Explicit: qui in hispaniis et gallia gothica regnaverunt. Rubric: De Regibus astrogothorum et actibus theodorici, ccxlix,. Latin. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Historia Ostrogothorum et Visigothorum in Schott, 2: 148-51. Diaz y Diaz 1242. ff. 84v-97. [Rodrgo Jiménez de Rada] Historia arabum. Incipit: Anno leovigildi regis gothorum ix Era de prima. Explicit: sed quia de adventu eorum in hystoria Gothica fuimus prosecuti hic nolumus iterare. Explicit Era M CC et lxxiiii. Laus tibi sit christe quoniam liber explicit iste. Rubric: Incipit historiam [sic] arabum de origine et exordio Mahometi, cclvi. Latin. Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Historia Arabum in Schott, 2:162-86. Diaz y Diaz 1244. f. 97r-v. [Hugh of St. Cher] Speculum ecclesie. Incipit: Dicit apostolus ad ephesios vi. Induite vos armatura dei ut possitis stare adverssus insidias diaboli. Hec armatura est vestis sacerdotalis significativa septemplicis virtutis. Explicit: mentis amaritudo in speculis mulierum. Rubric: Incipit speculum ecclesie. Incipit tractatus domini Hugonis cardinalis de ordine misse et sacerdotalium indumentorum signifficatione. Latin. Hugh of St. Cher, Speculum ecclesie, short extract containing the first and part of the second chapter; cf. Hain 8977-8992. ff. 97v-145. [Martinus Oppaviensis] Chronicon Pontificum et Imperatorum. Incipit: Sicut dicit Orosius ad beatum augustinum scribens a mundi creacione. Explicit: Nicholaus iii Nacione Rome anno domini M cc lxxvii sedit. Amen. Hic finit ystoria romanorum pontificum usque ad tempora nostra. Rubric: Incipit Cronica fratris Martini penetenciarii domini pape et capellani . . . De quatuor regnis maioribus. Latin. Kaeppeli, SOPMA 2974. L. Weiland, ed., Martini Oppaviensis Chronicon Pontificum et Imperatorum (Hannover 1872) MGH Scriptores 22:397-474, here conflating the pope and emperor lists; Weiland's recension C, as it extends to Nicholas II (1277) and includes the narration on the 4 reigns after the prologue, the section on Pope Joan (f. 131) and numerous other interpolations. ff. 145-152v. Historia Apollonii Regis Tyri. Incipit: Fuit quidam rex anthiocus nomine a quo ipsa civitas. Explicit: unum in templo ephesiorum alterum blibiotece [sic] sue. Expliciunt gesta piissimi regis appolloni tyri. Rubric: Et incipit quedam ystoria satis apposito nostro remota est tamen in se admirabilis et sic proponere eam hic voluimus qualiter contigit de quodam rege antiochie qui antiochus vocabatur,. Latin. G. A. A. Kortekaas, ed., Historia Apollonii Regis Tyri (Groningen 1984); listed p. 20. ff. 152v-158v. [Dares Phrygius] De excidio Troiae historia. Incipit: Pleyas rex ypolopense [sic] fratrem habuit hesonem. Explicit: palemonem ephistrophum et Scedium. Explicit ystoria troyanorum. Rubric: Hic incipit alia ystoria grecorum et troyanorum de rege pleya et iason filio hesonis fratre eius. Latin. F. Meister, ed., Daretis Phrygii De excidio Troiae historia (Leipzig 1873), with introductory epistle and the 2 supplementary sections on the casualties of the Greeks and the Trojans. ff. 159-178v. [Saba Malaspina] Rerum sicularum historia. Incipit: Tempore autem domini innocencii vi Rex Karolus regnum posolimitanum [sic] ex concessione cuiusdam domicelle. Explicit: Sique dum ad domum tamen dicti henrici cathalani vota sua convertunt et illuc dirigunt manus armatas paucos [catchword:] gallicos//. Rubric: Hic incipit ystoria de hiis que contigerunt in sicilia tempore regis karoli. Latin. Saba Malaspina, Rerum sicularum historia, Bk. 6, ch. 5-Bk. 10, chap. 5 (breaking defectively) in G. del Re, ed., Cronistie scrittori sincroni della dominazione normanna (Naples 1845-68) 2:307-80; listed in A. Nitschke,"Untersuchungen zu Saba Malaspina," Deutsches Archiv für Erforschung des Mittelalters 12 (1956) 160 n. 1.

  mssHM 1034