Copy of an original MS. of Bacon's Essays. In J. Payne Collier's handwriting.

Copies of Francis Bacon's Essays taken by John Payne Collier, literary scholar and forger, 1867-1883. Collier notes that the MS. in question was "apparently made before any of them [the Essays] were printed. they appear to vary very materially from any of the printed copies I have met with, but I never saw the first edit." The essays copied are as follows:- Of Studies; Of Discourses; Of Ceremonies and Respectes; Of Followers and Friends; Of Sutors; Of Expences; Of Regiment of Health; Of Honour and Reputation; Of Faction; Of Negotiating; Digested notes of Civill Conversation; Of hope, Envie, hatred, feare and contempt; Not to acquaint everie one with secrettes; Of Frendes; Not to be over busie or idle; How worldlie thinges are to be accounted of; Of Time; Of Povertie and Riches; Of Solitarines; Of Life; How our outward behaviour should agree with other mens; Of Affections. An authograph letter to Bligh Peacock has been inserted at the end of the volume.

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Arranged as set out above in Scope and Content.

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purposes of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

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Collection level description

Entry compiled by J Caudwell.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original, which must be assessed by a conservator. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

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