Autograph on flyleaf: John Baron Beard.

Binding: full parchment.

In English.

Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of several dozen prose extracts from books and periodicals, as well as several poems. Many of the entries focus on philosophical and scientific subjects, including American justice; love; society; carbonic acid gas; sound; the tagua nut; and vegetables. The volume also contains several entries on practical subjects, such as instructions for executing a will and the process of making wine. Verses include a "folk air" and a poem attributed to Andrew Crosse. Other entries include a list of Chinese emperors; the population of various European countries based on taxes paid; an excerpt on elephants; and an anecdote concerning toads. Each entry concludes with an attribution to the source, such as Quarterly Review, Journal of Science and the Arts, George Fitzclarence's Journey of a route across India, and New Monthly Magazine.

The volume begins with an engraved title-page published by Walker and Edwards, London, which declares the volume an improvement on the commonplace book recommended by John Locke, with directions for its use followed by printed instructions for common-placing and a pre-printed skeleton index which the writer has filled in.

Agriculture > Great Britain.

English poetry > 19th century.

Natural history > Great Britain.

Periodicals > Great Britain.

Science > Great Britain.

Wills > Great Britain > Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Wine and winemaking > Great Britain.

Great Britain > Intellectual life > 19th century.