Butler, Joseph. Commonplace book, 1743 | Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Joseph Butler copied numerous English poems into this 267-page commonplace book around 1743. The first 82 pages consist primarily of excerpts from Samuel Butler's Hudibras, identified with Joseph Butler's headings in red and green ink. Butler also copied poetic excerpts by authors such as John Denham, John Donne, Edmund Waller, and John Dryden; many concern religious topics. Two pages (63 verso-64 verso) consist of a journal entry written in pencil in a different hand; the text is dated at Bradford, April 29.

Peter Save, possibly the commonplace book's later owner, signed his name on the front cover and final page.