Commonplace book complied by Anna Eliza Brydges. HEH ST 111.

195mm by 240mm by 15mm thick. Red card cover; black spine with gold leaf decoration. The earliest date is 1818 (though there are earlier stories); the Huntington Library offers c. 1811. Latest entry 14 May 1832. The book is only half full.

It contains a selection of verses, songs, short stories and ephemera. Most are copies.

Original? Poem by Anna Eliza Brydges 

Adieu!

An Adieu should in utterance die—

If written, but faintly appear—

Only heard in the burst of a sigh—

Only seen in the drop of a Tear.

Feb. 5^th 1818

A Newspaper Report of the Death of the 3rd Duke of Chandos 

Duke of Chandos

Sept 1789

“Tuesday evening last died suddenly at Tunbridge Wells after a short but most painful illness, which he bore with the utmost fortitude & resignation the most Noble James Duke of Chandos, Marquis & Earl of Carnarvon, Viscount Wilton, Baron Chandos of Sudeley Castle, & Baronet. Lord Steward of his Majesty’s Household one of his Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council, Ranger of Enfield Chace & High Steward of the City of Winchester.

His Grace’s birth was most illustrious. He was descended from the Great Sir John Chandos who made so conspicuous a figure in the Reign of King Edward the third, & was one of the Knights of the Garter at the first institution of that most noble Order, whose descendant Sir John Bruges [sic] was created by Queen Mary, Baron Chandos of Sudeley Castle, the 8^th of April 1554.

In 1714 on the accession of King George the 1^st the Hon^ble James Brydges (who afterwards became the 9^th Lord Chandos) was created the Marquis & Earl of Carnarvon & Duke of Chandos. His Grace was maternally of Royal descent, being descended from Mary Queen Dow^r of France & Daughter of Henry 7^th, who afterwards married with Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, & through Heiresses of the great Houses of Grey, Duke of Suffolk, Seymour, Bruce & Saville to his Grace. His Mother was one of the Daughters & Co Heirs of Charles Lord Bruce afterwards Earl of Aylesbury & was the first Wife of Henry 2^d Duke of Chandos, by whom she had James the last Duke, & Lady Caroline relict of James Leigh Es^q of Adlestrop in Gloucestershire. His Grace was born the 27^th of December 1731 and at the General Elections in 1754 & 1761 he was elected Knight of the Shire for Radnorshire. On the accession of his present Majesty he was appointed one of the Lords of his Majesty’s Bed Chamber, which he resigned in 1764 & in 1784 he was appointed Lord Steward of his Majesty’s Household.

Such were his honours & his high descent, to which his private virtues added a still greater lustre. Fervent & unfeigned in his devotion, his charity & benevolence were unbounded; in his principles he was loyal, moderate, & firm & in his friendships had the warmest heart!”

Sir R.R. Bart.