Written on flyleaf, in different hand: partial table of contents.

Title from title page, with autograph.

Marbled endpapers.

Binding: full contemporary leather; blind-tooled decoration on cover.

In English.

Manuscript, in a single hand, of a collection of 13 letters, primarily written by Frances (Burney) d'Arblay, and copied by her husband, for the use of their son Alexander Charles Louis Piochard d'Arblay. The collection contains many letters to members of her family, which primarily discuss social news, particularly at court. To her sister Susanna Elizabeth (Burney) Phillips, she writes of her social activities at court, gossips about its members, and describes her young son's interactions with the ladies at court; to her father Charles Burney, she comments on the Queen's kind remarks about her marriage and the King's graciousness to her husband, gossips about acquaintances, and asks about forthcoming books; and to her sister Esther Burney, she writes concerning a potential suitor for Esther's daughter. She also writes several letters to Hester Maria (Thrale) Elphinstone, vicountess Keith, explaining her tumultuous friendship with Hester Thrale Piozzi, especially her disapproval of Piozzi's second marriage. Other correspondents include Frederica Augusta (Schaub) Locke; Hester (Mulso) Chapone, and James Burney.

The manuscript begins with a copy of a letter from Alexandre, comte d'Arblay to Ralph Broome, asking him to break off his attachment to his sister-in-law, Charlotte Burney; and a letter from Gabriel Marie Ricce, comte de Ricce ( 1758-1805) to Bourdois.

The manuscript has been occasionally annotated with further details of the correspondents.

Nobility > Great Britain > Social life and customs > 18th century.

Women > Conduct of life.

Great Britain > Court and courtiers.

Great Britain > Social life and customs > 18th century.