Introductory lectures of William Edmondstoune Aytoun: a series of lectures opening Aytoun's yearly courses., 1856-1864.
Scope and Contents
Hardly any of the lectures are dated, but they were presumably delivered between 1845 and 1865, while he held the Chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres in the University of Edinburgh.
Apart from the introductory lectures in MS.4897 and a few miscellaneous lectures in MS.4912, they have been broadly grouped according to the threefold classification used by W E Aytoun himself; lectures on literature; lectures on language, style, and versification; and lectures on the principles of oratory.
Many of the lectures are considerably altered and corrected. Apparently some of the earlier lectures became drafts of the later ones, while others were revised and delivered on more than one occasion.
Some bear pencilled notes by Sir Theodore Martin, who read them with a view to publication.
Where the lecture was given a title this has been recorded. For untitled lectures the subject matter is indicated briefly.
Dates
- Creation: 1856-1864.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
177 Leaves
Language of Materials
From the Fonds: Undetermined
Arrangement
i + 176 folios.
Other Finding Aids
A contents list has been placed at the beginning of the volume.
Genre / Form
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
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0131 623 3700
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