The commonplace book contains Latin poetry (including extracts from Horace, Virgil and Juvenal), songs, prose and exercises; astronomical, navigational, and mathematical notes and exercises, with some diagrams and tables; notes on the art of gunnery; some common psalm tunes; prayers; English proverbs, verse and poetry; extracts from a guide to the education of children and youth; instructions concerning card tricks; some verse attributed to the 1st Marquis of Montrose and notes on his role in the Civil War; lines on the death of Charles II and some sketches, including one of Sir William Wallace.