Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16761, Lydia commonplace book, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Eclectibles by the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on 28 March 2022

Content Description

This collection contains the commonplace book belonging to a woman, possibly named Lydia from the United States, circa 1844. A commonplace manuscript book with verse neatly recorded verso and recto throughout. The book consists of twelve unpaginated leaves, ruled in pencil and partially uncut in original pink and black marbled paper wrappers. The contents are largely short verse excepts and meditative or religious in nature. However, there are several more substantial selections, "The Bower of Prayer," "Infant School Hymn," "At Rest," "Farewell sweet girl," "Bring flowers" by Felicia Hemans, and an acrostic of "Bellview" is also recorded.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Women's Scrapbook/ Commonplace Book Collections (University of Virginia)
• Commonplace books
• Women -- United States