The bulk of this volume is made up of 15 military/navy songs, many of them variants of published versions. One song, beginning "In a mouldering cave" laments the death of General James Wolfe on the Plains of Abraham (pages 57-63). The volume also contains accounts and an inventory of clothes of General Harry Burrard, 1st Baronet of Lymington, and was likely kept either by him or by one of his close circle.
The volume was apparently rebound sometime in the 20th century with a 15th century manuscript cover.
Contents:
- Harry Burrard/J. L. Nixon Account, June 4, 1798 (pages 2-5, 9)
- 1. Hunting Song, by Chas. Pawlett (pages 11-19)
- 2. Joe's Lamentation, by Chas. Pawlett (pages 20-33)
- 3. The Soldiers Adieu, by Dibden (pages 34-41)
- 4. The Sailors Adieu, by Dibden (pages 41-47)
- 5. Song, beginning "Vulcan contrive me such a cup" (pages 47-51)
- 6. Song, beginning "Come my lads time parts away" (pages 51-55)
- 7. Song, beginning "In a mouldering cave, where the wretched reside" (pages 57-63)
- 8. Song, by Sheridan, beginning "When twas night, and the mid watch was called" (pages 63-67)
- 9. Song, beginning "If gold cou'd lengthen life I swear" (pages 67-71)
- 10. Song, beginning "Bid me when forty winters more" (pages 71-77)
- 11. Song, by R. Cumbd. Esqr., beginning "What do I see before mine eyes" (pages 77-79)
- 12. Song, beginning "Then farewell my trim built wherry" (pages 81-83)
- 13. Hunting Song, by Chas. Pawlett (pages 83-97)
- 14. Song, beginning "Round duthers gay table some wish to be gambling (pages 99-103)
- 15. [Untitled], beginning "Dear Tom this brown Jug which now foams with mild ale" (pages 105-109)
- Accounting (pages 112-113)
- Acct. of General Burrards Cloaths (pages 117-118)
Harry Burrard was born in Jersey to parents George and Magdelaine Burrard, and was baptized in 1755. He received his education at the Royal Military Academy and by 1772 served in the Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant. He earned promotions to lieutenant and then captain in the 60th Regiment of Foot, and served in the Floridas during the American Revolution. In 1789, Burrard became captain and lieutenant colonel of the 1st Foot Guards, eventually gaining colonelcy for service in the French Revolutionary Wars.
Around the time this volume was created, in 1798, Burrard was prisoner of war, having been captured during a partially successful expedition to destroy the locks of the Ostend-Bruges Canal in Flanders. His continued service brought him a promotion to lieutenant general. He became baronet for his second command during the British expedition to Copenhagen in 1807.
Burrard was apparently well loved by his comrades and they supported him during a formal investigation into claims that he was timid in battle. Harry Burrard married Hannah Darby on February 20, 1789, and they had seven children. All five of his sons served in the army or navy and upon the death of three of them, he is purported to have died of grief at Calshot Castle, Isle of Wight, on October 17, 1813.
