A penciled note on the front pastedown indicates that the volume is from the Townsell or Townsend family.
A commonplace book containing detailed summaries of two books, along with his brief reactions: A short view of the immorality and profaneness of the English stage, by Jer. Collier (published 1698, 44 p.) and Some notes collected out of Dr. Charleton's discourse of the different witts of man (published 1669, 10 p.). Followed several blank leaves, and then by notes on related subjects, including: Miscellaneous notes concerning poesie, collected from severall authors & my own observations (mentioning Dryden, Milton's Paradise lost ["undoubtedly one of the greatest, most noble & most Sublime Poems which either this age or Nation has produc'd"], Longinus, Virgil, Horace, etc.; 6 p.); On Satyre (1 p., entirely crossed through); Of Fancy & Judgment Mixt; Of Words; Of Rhime; Of Dramatic Poesie; Of Songs; Odes; Of Satyre (each 1 p.). Followed by another summary, on The Chief Remarks that Mr. Dennis makes on Dr. Blackmore's Prince Arthur (published 1696, 41 p.).