Clonmell, John Scott, First Earl of

containing miscellaneous personal notes and memoranda, including "experimental Observations upon the Effects of certain Meats [and] Drinks", "A List of memorables which have occurred in the Course of my Life", "Hints of Plans for advancing my fortune", dated personal reflections containing repeated exhortations to self-discipline and hard work ("...so long as I shall remain unmarried ... to read or write at least 12 Hours each Day in my Profession, to sleep if I can but 3 Hours ... to Exercise 2 Hours to give not more than 3 Hours or at most 4 to Meals...") as well as more cynical observations notably on the House of Lords, a summary record of personal, familial and financial "Events" from 1787 to 1798, ("...[28 April 1789] Lord Chan Lifford died & left me a Legacy of £100 very unexpected & shews the Folly of quarrelling with any body[.] | [In August 1789] I was advanced to the Title of Viscount Clonmell the Marques of Bath having promised me an Earldom and given me a hollow recommendation to that step..."), with summary annual accounts listing receipts and payments from 1778 to 1797, written from both ends, black and red ink, 61 pages, plus blanks, thumb-index, folio, 1775-98, green boards, loss at spine, hinges weak, stubs where at least five leaves have been excised 

John Scott, First Earl of Clonmell; thence by descent

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"...I have found the H of Lords mean, pusillanimous & treacherous, Insolent proud & vindictive, I think Lord Pery the Model best worth Imitation, to be my own Minister, trust none, affect Temper Gentleness & Calmness to all, never to be zealous but for my own reputation & advantage..."

An illuminating and deeply personal record of John Scott, Earl of Clonmell (1739-98), a driven and ambitious Irish lawyer and politician who rose to be Lord Chief Justice of Ireland (see previous lot). His repeated exhortations suggest how difficult he found it to maintain the harsh regime that he set for himself, involving cold-water bathing, abstention from tea and coffee,  great care over diet, and maintaining a relentless focus on his work ("...It is impossible for me to exist but with constant and hourly Repetition of Insult, Contempt, self Reproach, and Disgrace, Mortification, Heartgnawing, Agonizing Torture, unless I reform from this moment & devote my future life to the constant acquiring of Knowledge & Praise by the most rigid unremitting, uniform, indefatigable application to Business & to Law..."). Extensive extracts from a similar journal were published by W.J. Fitz-Patrick in Curious family history: or, Ireland before the union: including Lord Chief Justice Clonmell's unpublished diary (1880).