Oblong, 10 x 7cm, 22ff. mostly interleaved with blotting paper, some stubs. Original brown morocco, sewn. This miniature manuscript commonplace book, pages mostly filled, contains a variety of what appear to be ORIGINAL APHORISMS some short and others longer and short poetic epitaphs on life in general and often with a slightly comic turn. Such as: “He that lives well in the world is better than he who lives well in a monastery,” or “Mortification is only commendable in that it weakens the allurements of taste;” “A prude has often lost her virtue when she has removed her reputation.” Longer reflections follow. A short diary section covers a single day, 6th June 1823, describing arrival at Pickle Herring Stairs in Southwark by wherry followed by poetic epitaphs. A note on the lower pastedown records “B.Short Esq. left for Falmouth to embark for Spain.” So perhaps created initially to while away quiet hours on the journey.