David Laing, eminent historian, antiquary and bibliographer, was the second son of the Edinburgh bookseller William Laing (1764-1832) and his wife Helen Kirk, and was born on 20 April 1793. He was educated at the Canongate Grammar School and later on attended Greek classes at the University of Edinburgh. At the age of fourteen, he became apprenticed to his father who, at the time, was the only bookseller in Edinburgh dealing in foreign literature. Laing was able, occasionally, to travel abroad in search of rare or curious books. In 1821, he became a partner in his father's business and throughout his life he was an avid collector of manuscripts and rescued many from destruction. The first published work of his own was Auctarium Bibliothecae Edinburgenae sive Catalogus Librorum quos Gulielmus Drummondus ab Hawthornden D.D.Q. Anno 1627 (1815). Among other works, Laing also reprinted Thomas Craig's Epithalamium on the marriage of Darnley and Mary Stuart (1821). When Sir Walter Scott founded the Bannatyne Club in 1823 for the printing of material and tracts relating to Scottish history and literature, Laing - a friend of Scott's - became Secretary of the Club and chief organiser until its dissolution in the 1860s. Laing was also associated with the Abbotsford Club, the Spalding Club, and the Wodrow Society, each of which had been set up for the publication of manuscripts and for the revival of old texts. When the keepership of the Advocates' Library fell vacant in 1818, Laing was a candidate but was not elected. He became Keeper of the Library to the Society of Writers to Her Majesty's Signet, a post which he occupied from 1837 until his death. On his appointment to the post, he gave up his business as a bookseller and disposed of the stock in a public sale. Laing died at Portobello, in Edinburgh, on 18 October 1878.
Contents
The manuscript contains the New Testament. The text between Book of Revelation chapter 17, verse 8 to First Letter of Peter chapter 2, verse 13 is missing. The manuscript includes the apocryphal Letter to the Laodiceans (f. 253r). A letter written "to the Laodiceans" or "from Laodicea" (depending on the different interpretation of the Latin text) is mentioned in the ...
Scope and Contents
The manuscript contains the text of the New Testament according to the Vulgate. The four canonical Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Revelation are preceded by prologues. The prologues of the Gospels belong to the monarchian tradition, so called because it relates to the monarchian doctrine, which saw God as one person. They accompany several extant copies of the Vulgate, although their text is not derived from...
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The manuscript is an antiphoner, a liturgical book intended for use in the liturgical choir. It is written in Latin, dates from the 15th-16th century, and is of Italian origin. The use is that of Rome.Starting on f.1v, the manuscript mostly consists of noted Anthems and Psalms for the year, beginning in Advent (Roman Use)Hymns start on f.204v. They include First Saturday in Advent at Vespers; Vigil of the Nativity at Vespers,...
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The manuscript is a 14th century Collectarium. The collectarium is a book that contains Collects, which are short general prayers of a particular structure used in Christian liturgy. This version originated in Italy; a Perugian provenance is clearly indicated, with Sienese connections. It is also specifically Cistercian.The Kalendar starts on f.1r.In the Kalendar, the distinctively Cistercian marks are: 10 January: Viliemi [i.e.Guillelmi] (Bishop)...
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The manuscript is a Diurnal, which means that it includes the daytime liturgical texts for the Hours of the Divine Office. This version is from around 1480 and originated in Italy. It is also specifically Franciscan.The Kalendar starts on f.1r.The Proprium de Tempore starts on f.7r. The Proprium de Tempore contains liturgical texts for days that have special Masses or Offices (e.g. prayers,...
Scope and Contents
Book of Hours in Latin from the 16th century, of Italian provenance. The Use is that of Rome. It was probably copied in Bologna and the Kalendar also seems to support this origin (see local saints reported).The scribe has written the Greek word telos ('end') at the end of the Hours of the Virgin (f. 119v), Penitential Psalms (f. 122v) and Office of the...
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The manuscript is a Prayer Book and Book of Hours from the late 15th century that originated in Italy.The Penitential Psalms start on f.1r.The Litany starts on f.12r.The Prayers start on f.22v. These include the Ave Maria, Pater Noster, Credo, and Salve...
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The manuscript is an Italian Missal from the second half of the 14th century. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. This specific manuscript is according to Carthusian Use.The Kalendar is from f.i to f.vi. It is missing January to April.The Proprium de Tempore starts on f.1r. The Proprium de Tempore comprises...
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Missal from the 14th century. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. This specific manuscript can be classified as Franciscan.A Miniature appears on f.1r.The Kalendar starts on f.2r. It is missing March to October.The Proprium de Tempore, Advent to Easter starts on f.4r. The ...
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The manuscript is an Italian Order of Profession created in Verona in 1541. These types of manuscripts provide rubrics (instructions) and texts for those in the religious profession. This specific manuscript can be classified as Benedictine.The manuscript starts with Incipit ordo professionis fiende per monacham in manu sacerdotis on f.1r. It continues Anno domini .mo...
