Clavering's auto-biography; [Geneva], 1832.

1 v. (42 p.) ; 42 x 13 cm.

English

For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator.

Manuscript in a single hand, probably incomplete, purporting to be the memoirs of a certain John Fitznigel Clavering, whose career and interests bear a strong likeness to those of Brydges himself. Though the text begins with Clavering's birth in Dublin in 1755 and briefly mentions his parents, the bulk of the manuscript concerns sketches of his acquaintances' appearances and characters, especially the nobility. He claims an acquaintance with John Leyden; a person he believes was Junius; and Jane Austen, whom he describes as "a pretty, round-faced, fair, blooming girl" and whom he did not know was an author. He also meets Sir Egerton Brydges, and describes his "grief-worn appearance" and his penchant for querulousness and prolixity. Elsewhere, he visits the seats of nobility and provides descriptions of the countryside; mentions his involvement in politics, including his refusal of a seat in Irish Parliament. Several pages in another hand give more details about Clavering's biographical history. The first page is dated Feb 3 1832, other leaves are marked Feb 9 and Apr 20 1832.

August 08, 2005

Sir Egerton Brydges, Clavering's Auto-Biography. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Sir Egerton Brydges, Clavering's Auto-Biography. James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.