Pitcairne, Archibald (1652-1713)

The Assembly, or Scotch Reformation. A Comedie. The third Edition corrected and enlarged by the Author, who is Roges[?]. 1691. The B.M. Catalogue, the Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature, the D.N.B., Halkett and Laing, and Alibone assign this work to Pitcairne, the last-named authority recording an edition, dated 1692, with title 'Babell, or the Assembly [etc.]'. This, according to the entry in Halkett and Laing, was the first, and was reprinted and edited by the Maitland Club at Glasgow in 1830. In the title given for this MS. the script is uniform with that of the text, probably of the early 18th century. A Rev. Thomas Rogers [1660-1694], Rector of Slapton (Northants) in 1690, is noted in the D.N.B. as the author of some satirical verses, which are also recorded in the B.M. Catalogue. 'Roges' in our MS. title may possibly be intended for him, but the text is undoubtedly that of the work usually assigned to Pitcairne.

Early 18th century

1 volume 66 ll. (first & last 2 bl.). 4to. 22 × 171/2 cm. Original panelled calf binding worn. Outer half of the first (blank?) leaf cut away.

Purchased 1928.

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).

On the verso of the title-page is inscribed 'Thomas A. Hill 1854', and this owner has also written on the second leaf 'This is a low scurilous production without wit or humour, and quite unworthy of the reputation of Dr. Pitcairn, who is said to have written it. H.'. Signature of Sir James Y[oung] Simpson [1811-1870] inside the upper cover.