Manuscript Microcosmographie by John Earle

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MS. Eng. e. 3868

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Manuscript fair copy of John Earle's Micro-cosmographie or, a Peece of the World discovered; in Essayes and Characters lacking title and written probably before 1625. It is one of the copies referred to by Edward Blount in the preface to the anonymous first edition of 1628. Fols 111-280 are blank.

The manuscript differs from the 17th-century editions of the work having only 45 Characters described in a different order. Another manuscript, MS. Eng. misc. f. 89, bequeathed to the Bodleian by E. H. W. Meyerstein has 51 characters. Both are thought to be autographs.

Comprises:

(p. 1) A Childe
(p. 3) A younge rowe Preacher
(p. 6) A graue Divine
(p. 9) A meere dull Physitian
(p. 12) An Alderman
(p. 14) A Disconte[n]ted Man
(p. 16) The singing men in Cathedrall Curches [sic]
(p. 18) An Antiquary
(p. 21) An Atturny
(p. 23) A younger brother
(p. 26) A mere formall Man
(p. 28) A Church Papist
(p. 30) A selfe=conceited Man
(p. 33) A Taverne
(p. 36) A downeright Scholler
(p. 40) A too idle reserved Man
(p. 42) A sharke
(p. 45) A carrier
(p. 47) A Constable
(p. 48) A Detractour
(p. 51) A Plodding Student
(p. 53) An Old Colledg[e] Butler
(p. 56) A mere yongue [sic] Gentleman of the Vniversiyy
(p. 59) A plaine Countryman
(p. 63) An Vpstart fond Knight
(p. 65) A plausible Man
(p. 67) A Catch=pole
(p. 69) A Criticke
(p. 70) A Pot=poet
(p. 73) A partiall Man
(p. 75) A Trumpeter
(p. 77) A Chirurgian
(p. 80) A she-puritane
(p. 85) A Cooke
(p. 87) A Hostesse handsome
(p. 88) A Baker
(p. 89) A Player
(p. 92) A shop-keeper
(p. 94) A Bowling alley
(p. 96) An Herald
(p. 98) A Tobacco=Seller
(p. 99) A Dunkirke
(p. 101) Paules Walke
(p. 104) A pretender to Learning
(p. 107) A blunt Man

Dates

Creation: before 1625

Extent

280 Leaves

Language of Materials

English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Eng. e. 3868, fols. 1-2].

Please see our help page for further guidance on citing archives and manuscripts.

Shelfmark:

MS. Eng. e. 3868

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 9551

Additional Description

Abstract

Manuscript Microcosmographie by John Earle

Biographical / Historical

John Earle (1598-1665) graduated from the University of Oxford in 1619 and became its Proctor in 1631. He was consecrated Bishop of Worcester in November 1662 and Bishop of Salisbury ten months later. For further biographical details see Dictionary of National Biography.

Custodial History

The manuscript was previously in personal possesion of A. Almack F.S.A. (small handwritten label), V. Almack (small handwritten label), Clive Coates of Helperby, Yorkshire (monogram label of CC) and Bent Juel Jensen (exlibris).