Commonplace book kept by members of the Hanbury family, containing an extensive selection of period verse, including epitaphs, elegies, dramatic prologues and epilogues, political and social satires, parodies, and pieces on sentimental topics such as monastic ruins and the deaths of pet birds. The prologues include "Prologue spoken by the Celebrated Mr. Barrington on Opening his Theatre at Sidney, Botany Bay" and "Mrs. Pritchard's Farewell Epilogue Spoken at Drury Lane Theatre." Several of the prologues refer specifically to performances, possibly amateur, at Kelmarsh, the Northamptonshire seat of the Hanbury family.

The volume also includes a parody of James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, "A Lesson in Biography; or, How to Write the Life of One's Friend (An Extract from the Life of Dr. Pozz, in ten volumes folio, written by James Bozz, Esq. who flourished with him near fifty years" by Alexander Chalmers; and a copy of Richard Fitzpatrick's "Dorinda: a Town Eclogue."

Boswell, James, 1740-1795 > Parodies, imitations, etc.

English poetry > 18th century.

English poetry > 19th century.

Gentry > England > Social life and customs.