ACCOUNT BOOK. [A hand-written account book containing the personal expenses of an English gentleman.

ACCOUNT BOOK. [A hand-written account book containing the personal expenses of an English gentleman. N.p.:] 1789-1831.8vo (183 x 115mm.) Approximately 78pp. of manuscript notes relating to personal expenditure under the headings of ‘Presents Made’, ‘Presents Received’, ‘Articles Purchased’ and ‘Clothes’, several blank leaves. (Marginal damp-stain to several leaves, toning.) Contemporary black full straight-grain morocco with brass hasp and lock, t.e.g. (light rubbing to extremities, lacking key). Note: clearly more giving than given to, the ‘Presents Made’ section is quite full and contains the price paid for items. We learn that the gentleman paid ‘£1, 1 shilling’ for Adam Smith’s ‘Wealth of Nations’ in 1796, a gift for Mr. Brown. A Miss Clarke is the recipient of many gowns, shawls and much jewellery, including a silver egg that cost 10 shilling, 6 pence. A Rev. J. Blakeway received a plate of Saxon coins that cost £9, 9 shillings.