manuscript by James H Midgley of Eden Grove S. Walden: 'Some act: of the early ways of our little Bessie. | Mary Elizabeth Midgley. | born on Good Friday 11TH of 4TH MoTH.. 1879.'

The Midgley family were notable Lancastrian Quaker industrialists (cf. the Midgley Reference Library in the John Rylands University Library Manchester). Touching and detailed account ('at about 8.20? PM our little Darling was born - she soon told us she had a good pair of lungs') of the author's daughter's early years, preceded by a painstaking tabulation of the figures for the cotton market in fourteen columns ruled with red lines and spread over two pages. In a ruled notebook halfbound in green leather and with marbled boards. Heavily rubbed at extremities but sound and tight. With the ticket of 'WAREING WEBB | BOOKSELLER & BINDER | LIVERPOOL.' on the front pastedown.