Collection of “Prologues” and “Epilogues” and other verses in an unidentified hand, circa 1750 to 1788, some performed at the Austen family home at Steventon. There are four pieces written by Rev. James Austen, Jane Austen’s eldest brother, performed in 1787-1788, one spoken by Henry Austen and one by Eliza de Feuillide. Some “prologues” and “epilogues” with clear literary references to works by Susanna Centlivre, Henry Fielding, Samuel Foote, and David Garrick. Other works attributed to Peter Pindar, Rev. Thomas Powys, Thomas Russell, and Voltaire, among others.

The collection contains a translation of letter 1-150 (13 December 1746-26 December 1764).

The collection consists of c.150 separate pieces in English and French, in a variety of different hands, dating mainly from ca. 1780 to 1824. There are also some printed items such as lottery tickets and pages from books. The manuscripts appear in most cases to have been given to Anne Rushout by acquaintances in her circle, which included Fanny Burney, Mrs. Walsingham, Lady Hardwick, Mrs. Hastings, Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, Miss Lyttelton, Miss Catherine Fanshawe, Princess Augusta Sophia. Almost all are poetry and include charades, acrostics, riddles, engimas, anecdotes, and elegies culled from various sources including: the Thesaurus Aenigmaticus, The Satirist, General Evening Post, Gentleman’s Magazine, and The Universal Magazine. The topics featured range from friendship and love, through virtue and death. Names mentioned as writers or subjects, giving an insight into the circle in which Anne moved and their interests, include: Voltaire, Mr. Selwyn, the Countess Bouchon, Sir William Jones, Lord Lyttelton, Lord Coventry, Lord Palmerston, Lord Strangford, Warren Hastings, William Hayley, Norhtwick, William Shenstone, Colley Cibber, David Garrick, Bishop Richard Heber, Horace Walpole, Walter Scott, John Dryden, the Sheridans and Sarah Siddons. In addition to the poetical contents there are few printed pieces and two accomplished mathematical conundrums. The principal places mentioned are Northwick Park, Worcestershire (now Gloucestershire), Wanstead Grove, and Daylesford Grove.

The manuscript consists of Cantos 1-4 only. These are transcribed from the privately printed 1796-97 English translation of the work.