Despite the gap between 1872 and 1882, the diaries cover Arthur Ralph Douglas Elliot's career in some considerable detail from 1861 to 1923 the year of his death. The early volumes relate to his education at Minto and at University in Edinburgh and Cambridge as well as to his years of practice at the Bar. When the diary is resumed in 1882, Elliot had entered political life as member for Roxburghshire, and for the next forty years he commented on the contemporary scene in his diary. At all times Elliot paid particular attention to his family and social life and these volumes provide an invaluable guide to his day-to-day activities over most of a busy life.