Penn in Hand: Selected Manuscripts

Benoist, J. B. A.

Poesies choisies [manuscript] / par J.B.A. Benoist, avocat en parlement, conseiller du roi, et son procureur en la prevoté de Meaux en 1738.

[France, 1738 and 1739]

177 leaves : paper ; 201 x 134 mm. bound to 208 x 148 mm.

Collection of poems in a variety of forms such as contes, epitaphes, epitres, idilles, odes, and sonnets. Includes poems attributed to Racine (Poème sur la grace), Rousseau (Ode pindarique sur la destruction du Port Roial des Champs), Voltaire (Epitre à Uranie), and Mlle. Malevais de la Vigne. Also included are several French translations of classical works such as odes by Anacreon, the Batrachomyamachia (translated by the abbé de Louvois), and the fourth book of the Aeneid (translated by M. Boileau). A poem about events following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1749 (f. 3v-5r at end) has been added after the index (f. 1-3 at end).

Ms. codex.

Title and compiler from title page (f. 3r); date from title page and p. 321.

Pagination: Paper, i (contemporary paper) + 177 + i (contemporary paper); [iii], 1-71, 71-254, 245-321, [xiv]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners, with modern pencil corrections.

Script: Written in a cursive script.

Binding: Contemporary calf (Hirsch).

Origin: Written in France in 1738 and 1739.

UPenn Ms. Codex 998

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts University of Pennsylvania Ms. Codex 998