Bacon, Phanuel (1700-1783)

The Oculist. A dramatick entertainment of one act. Illustrated on the title-page with a pen-drawing of a Harlequin, signed `S. Collins fecit'; on the third leaf is another pen sketch showing the Harlequin, and the Oculist operating on Lady Would-be's eyes. Written on the rectos only, but with numerous additions and alterations-many in pencil-on the versos. An allusion to the `Free British Fishery' on the fifth leaf seems to date this MS. to about 1750, when this Corporation was instituted.

mid-18th century

1 volume 48 ll. 4to. 231/2 x 161/2 cm. Original calf binding.

Purchased 1910.

The author, who was Vicar of Reading, wrote five plays. `The Oculist' was published in 1757 [see the Dictionary of National Biography].

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).