Diary of John Forfar, schoolmaster in Edinburgh.
Scope and Contents
The diary entries consist of records of personal experiences, and rambling didactic essays. The topics include observations on religion, philosophy, current events, sex, education, music, art and literature; there are copies of songs and music, a complete essay on marriage, and accounts of travels, notably a journey to Glasgow, 1822 (MS.6260), and a sea-trip to the Irish coast (MS.6272).
Some miscellaneous newspaper cuttings and catalogues are inserted in the diary; and there are drawings of animals (MS.6267, folio 9) and cross-sections of islands visited on the Irish trip (MS.6272, folios 26 verso, 33 verso-34, 38 verso).
The diary is incomplete. The first book, containing the account of the trip to Glasgow, bears no number, and by its construction and early date does not appear to have formed part of the diary series. The others are marked ii-xliv, but fifteen volumes are missing, and pages are half torn away from those remaining.
Dates
- Creation: 1822-1836.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
30 Volumes ; Quarto.
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1951, by John Grant Limited, Booksellers, Edinburgh.
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk