Miscellany

Language: English

Context and purpose

D/EP F36 is a large miscellany, compiled by Sarah Cowper primarily from 1670 to 1706, with a few minor notes made as late as 1710. Unlike some of the manuscripts that she began later (D/EP F38-39, 44), this miscellany does not have a strictly religious or didactic focus; instead, it covers more secular interests, such as history, politics and travel. Cowper appears to have started writing from both ends of the book at about the same time, copying mostly poetry into one side and prose into the other.

The first major work in the former side is a copy of Abraham Cowley's "The Civil War" (fols [3r-47v]). Since this poem was not published until the twentieth century, Anne Kugler posits that Cowper may have learned about the poem from her friend Martin Clifford, who knew Cowley (Kugler, p.31). Among Cowper's papers is a rough transcription of the "Civil War" in different hands, which most likely served as her copy text (D/EP F48). The transcription in D/EP F36 is in a "large, clear, regular, Italian hand, with calligraphic features", suggesting that Cowper may have hired a professional scribe to write this item for her (Cowley, I.264). The following poems are in her more characteristic informal script. By the time Cowper reaches fol.[64v] at least twenty years appear to have elapsed since she began the volume in 1670, for she then copies several satirical poems concerning events and public figures of the 1690s. Near the end of this section, there also are a few items that relate to Cowper's family, including a poem on the death of King James II, written by her grandson William Cowper (fol.[89r-v]), and two poems written in January 1706 about her son of the same name (fols [102v-103r]).

The opposite side of the volume opens with several long pieces, including a description of each county in Britain, complete with topographical and historical information (fols [3r-18v][rev]). Cowper does not record dates for most of her transcriptions; however, a retrospective rubric written into this half of the volume claims that it was begun "about the year 1670", and the penultimate entry, a letter from Major General Fielding to Sir Thomas Skipwith, is dated 1705 (fol.[66r][rev]).

Another dated item of particular interest is Cowper's "Catalogue of Books at London in the year 1701", which she appears to have inserted onto blank pages preceding the 1670 descriptions (fols [1r-2r][rev]; see Kugler, pp.195-205 for a printed transcription with citations from the ESTC). The catalogue mentions 133 volumes, mostly religious. The most popular author, with twelve separate books listed, is Simon Patrick. Yet, as Kugler notes, the list also represents a wide spectrum of Anglican thought, ranging from books by Cambridge Platonists, such as Ralph Cudworth, Benjamin Whichcote and Henry More, to the works of non-jurors, such as Jeremy Collier and John Kettlewell. The catalogue also lists classical authors, including Plutarch, Seneca, and Cicero , as well as authors from the "more recent past", such as Erasmus, Francis de Sales and Michel de Montaigne (Kugler, p.107). There are only three possible references to female authors: Cowper lists "Reflec: on Philosophy", "Dr Taylor of Friendship" and "Countess of Warwick". Kugler posits that the first is Margaret Cavendish's Philosophy letters, or Modest reflections upon . . . philosophy (1664); however, it also could be Patrick's Brief account . . . together with some reflections upon the new philosophy (1662) or Rene Rapin's Reflections upon ancient and modern philosophy (1678). The second Kugler identifies as Jeremy Taylor's A discourse on . . friendship . . . Written in answer to a letter from the most ingenious and vertuous M[rs] K[atherine] P[hillips] (1657); and the last as Anthony Walker's funeral sermon Eureka (1678), which contains excerpts from the Countess of Warwick's manuscript meditations. The books listed have little connection with the works copied into the rest of the manuscript, and it seems likely that Cowper simply thought the catalogue would be a good use of blank pages.

In addition to inserting items onto blank pages at both ends of the manuscript, Cowper also appears to have gone back and added short comments throughout the volume, supplying additional information and registering changes in attitude. Cowper initially expresses pride over one of Queen Anne's speeches from October 1705, noting, "I have transcribed this speech because 'tis generally said, my son had at least a hand in composing of it"; a further note, added after the Queen removed her support from the Whigs and allowed Cowper's son to give up the chancellorship, states, "Glad am I, he's not to help make any more such sham speeches. November 15, 1710" (fol.[102r]).