Barefoot Liam

I was reading (as one does) my copy of Thomas Harwood’s Grecian Antiquities from 1801, when I came across some small papers and a flower, pressed between the pages.

One of the papers appears to be a fragment of an envelope, covered front and back with writing. Another is a small slip of paper, with some words and numbers written on it, and then of course there is the flower. I also found an old bookseller’s catalogue entry.

I wonder if anyone can identify the thing that looks to me like a postmark?

A fragment of an envelope was used for a long division sum

Here is the back of the envelope, which has not a calculation but a list of titles:

The other side of the fragment of paper was used to write a list

I am not good at reading this sort of handwriting, which fell out of fashion in England many years before I was born, but here is an attempt to transcribe it; contact me with errors and I’ll update it.

1. Clergymans Assistant
2. Haddon on the Creed
3. Stillingfleet’s Orig. Sacr.
4. Burnet on the Art
5. ??? on the Gospels
6. Ridley’s Sermons
7. Barrows Sermons 2 Vols
8. Homilies
9. Potters Theological Works
10. Burtons Sermons
11. Hornes Works 7 Vols

Since I have been making an online edition of Chalmers’ Biographical Dictionary (1812—1818, 32 vols), I thought I’d look these up.

The Clergyman’s Assistant could be The Sick Man’s Companion or the Clergyman’s Assistant in visiting the Sick; with a Dissertation on Prayer by William Dodwell; there are other possibilities, but the long ess indicates a likely time before 1830 (it was mostly discontinued in printed books in Britain some time before 1810, but one has to imagine that people did not immediately revise their handwriting)

Haddon on the Creed, I think may actually be Peasson, I’m not sure. I can’t read it.

The Origines Sacræ is by Bishop Edward Stillingfleet.

Burnet on the Art is probably Gilbert Burnet and his Exposition of The Thirty-nine Aryicles of the Church of England, on the Articles of Faith, an early Working-Group compromise.

Ridley’s Sermons is possibly Nicholas Ridley, the famous contemporary of Cranmer, but I see that Dr. Gloster Ridley gave Eight Sermons at Lady Moyer’s Lecture, published in 1742.

Barrow’s Sermons are probably by Isaac Barrow, 1678. Chalmers (c. 1812) says that Dr. Barrow’s sermons are yet admired for the style and
moral sentiment. (see linked page).

Homilies, I have no idea.

Potter’s Theological Works are the collected writings of Archbishop John Potter (no relation of Harry I think), published in 1753 as The Theological Works of Dr. John Potter &c. containing his Sermons, Charges, Discourse of Church-government, and Divinity Lectures. Short titles ftw.

Burton’s Sermons would probably be John Burton, whose Sermons were published in 1764 and 1766 respectively.

Wow, almost done!

Bishop George Horne ‘s Works were collected in 7 volumes and published by one Jones of Nayland in 7 vols in 1799.

Hmm, and I mentioned the pressed flower:

The pressed flower

And finally, here’s the obverse of the pressed flower:

pressed flower, the other side up.