The Burney family manuscript collection consists chiefly of material created by Fanny Burney (1752-1840), novel Evelina (1778) was a bestseller during her life time and is still in print, as well as by Burney family members and friends. The manuscript collection contains correspondence, letter fragments, and a journal kept by Fanny Burney (1812), and other materials by Burney herself, other members of her family, and members of their circle. The collection also includes significant correspondence for her father, the musician and musical historian Charles Burney (1726-1814).
Autograph letter in the third person, as Mr. Kelly, requesting the use of Dr. Burney's Box at an Opera Salon in Pall Mall to be held on May 20th, 1806. In a response dated on the 20th May 1806, Burney explains that he was on the road and unable to send the letter until 4 o'clock that day, and therefore sends apologies to Kelly.
Autograph manuscript in French containing drafts of approximately 40 letters written upon themes or as writing exercises. Each letter contains corrections by means of footnotes in the lower margin, likely in the hand of Burney's husband, Alexandre d'Arblay. Forty-eight leaves are filled with letter drafts. The rest of the volume is blank until the final two leaves at the end, which are written upside down. These final leaves contain various recipes in French, including "Pour guérir la manie" and "Remède contre l'esquinancie." Volume also includes an additional portion of a theme in Burney's hand on a small sheet tipped in on the front flyleaf. Written in an 18th-century notebook bound in full red morocco, gilt-stamped floral border and spine, with five raised spine bands and spine label: "Almanac de 1736." Notebook has floral gilt and painted endpapers and gold edges.
Consists of an address panel, likely a fragment of a letter. The four corners are clipped. Addressed to Keane Fitzgerald Esq., Mitre Court Buildings, Inner Temple. The fragment contains a later biographical note: "from Dr. Burney who wrote 'History of Music.' Father of Madame D'Arblay author of Cecilia.'
Manuscript letter attributed to Susanna Burney. The letter comprises four unnumbered pages on one long sheet, folded vertically. The letter is not addressed to a particular recipient but instead begins: "Appendix to follow, April 19 1767. - Written this Year of our Lord 1770." Inscription "No. 4" is found on upper left corner and "21 [p?]" on upper right corner. Letter is written in brown ink on laid paper.
The letter describes her acquaintances in France from April 1767, including descriptions which she mentions as having been omitted from her journal for the year 1767.
Holograph letter from the Bishop of Chester, at that time Beilby Porteus, to Hannah More, mentioning that he was upset with the treatment that she was receiving from a pupil, Sarah Mills. Porteus mentions that a Mrs. Delaney (Mary Delaney) also "entertains a just indignation at the cruel treatment that you have received from your ungenerous protogee...." The Bishop also sends wishes for better times at More's residence, Cowslip Green, thanks her on behalf of himself and his wife for the hospitality of More and her sisters, and offers to reciprocate this hospitality in the future. Letter written in contemporary hand, dated "Windsor. Nov. 1. 1785," and signed "B. Chester." The Bishop of Chester at that time was Beilby Porteus. Porteus and More were longtime friends.
Holograph letter from Charles Burney Jr. addressed to Henry F. Greville Esq., 5 Wigmore Street. Postmarked on final leaf. In the letter, Burney describes his ailing health in response to a previous letter from Greville. On the third unnumbered page is a set of three requested definitions: one for Burletta, one for Intermezzo, and one for Opera Buffa.
Manuscript letter signed by Charles Burney Jr. to Longman, Pater Noster Row, requesting Longman's catalogue parts I and II. Letter is dated 24 February 1814 with Burney's address given as: Rectory House, Deptford. Folded with address of recipient and traces of blue wax seal (seal wanting).
Holograph letter from Charles Burney Jr. addressed to W.F. Rose Esq. Navy Pay Office, London. Postmarked on final leaf with ink stamp: NO 30 1813. At end of letter: Rectory House, Deptford No. 30th 1813. Written in a sloping hand in brown ink and with a small repair to upper outer corner of final leaf of letter. The letter discusses some Greek newspapers sent along in a packet to Rose, Burney's latest struggles with gout, as well as potential future visitors to the Rectory. Letter is accompanied by a printed pamphlet.
Autograph letter from Charles Burney Jr. written at Greenwich, 1 December 1800, to William Davies, Bookseller, Strand. Also postmarked 1 December 1800. Consists of one folded sheet with one page of letter, one page address and one page of postscript (one page blank). Written on black-edged laid paper. The letter requests a receipt for Fanny Burney's account ("The Bill against Mrs. D'Arblay"). In a postscript, Burney requests that Davies send him 100 copies of Gay's Fables.
