Add MS 78430

EVELYN PAPERS. Vol. CCLXIII. `Instructions Oeconomique': a domestic conduct manual in 23 chapters, including some verse, written by Evelyn for his wife shortly after their marriage; 1648. Including some Latin quotations, and one chapter, `De l’humilité du lit nuptial’, in French. Calligraphically written by his amanuensis, Richard Hoare (see his presentation inscription on f. 5v), with a pen and ink drawing on the title-page of a female figure with a cornucopia, a sheaf, and domestic animals; the first paragraph of Evelyn’s opening `Epistle’ (dated London, 27 June 1648) lettered in gold, the arms of Evelyn impaling Browne with mottoes in colour (f. 11v), and the initial O of the first chapter framing a pen drawing of a flaming heart on a pedestal. Preceded (f. 5) by an alphabetical list of authors cited in the text and followed by a table of contents. Parts of the text are now faded or illegible, apparently from damp. For the letter accompanying the presentation, see Evelyn to Mary Evelyn, 16 Sept. 1648, Add. MS 78431 below; he asks her not to show it to anyone, since `the novelty, as well as altogether the rarity of such Particular discourses (falling into the hands of irregular, and loose persons) cannot escape the Censure of an over Curious, and Indulgent husband'. On the fly-leaf Evelyn has written `E Libris Manuscriptis JEvelyn Parsijs 1649’, and his motto, `Omnia explorate, Meliora retinete'. Beal EvJ 113. Formerly Evelyn MS 143.

ff. ii + 64. Contemporary binding of red morocco, gilt ruled and stamped with the tools designed for Evelyn by Thomas Simon, incorporating his arms and monogram, on the front and back covers; with modern repairs and slip case. Bookplate of Theodore H. Broadhead (f. i). 170 x 135mm.