GREY
(Charles, 1804-1870, Secretary to Prince Albert 1849-1861 and to Queen Victoria 1861-1870, General from 1865)
Long autograph letter signed to Colonel William Wylde
(1788-1877, of the Royal Artillery), commenting on two papers on the instructing of officers at Aldershot, which Wylde had forwarded from the author for Prince Albert, heartily concurring with the second in recommending more attention to marching, small arms practice and as much "spade & pick ... as that given to the Sappers & Miners", which benefits soldiers both in the army and after discharge, recalling the views of his brother (Henry, 3rd Earl) when Secretary at War under Melbourne, and his own experience, that marching, halting for inspection, and taking up "a position" as if attacked from in front or behind, was very valuable, however taking issue with the writer's views in the first paper, that officers should receive instruction before entering the Army, commenting "in any system of education, whether for the bar or the church, a man's real education begins after he is 17", and "must be continued after he joins his Regt. - He should be considered strictly in statu pupillari till he is 3 or 4 & twenty ... no previous study ... will do much if ... not ... followed up", adding "the Sandhurst Officers generally prove failures", they join their regiment "bristling with self conceit", adding in a P.S. that "those who go, voluntarily to the Senior Department of Sandhurst ... almost invariably become useful officers & ... distinguish themselves if they have the opportunity. The Prince had not time to read the Papers himself - but I told him the purport of them", 6 sides 4to, Buckingham Palace, 11th March
Item Date:
1855
Stock No:
53124
£275
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GUILFORD
(Francis North, 1761-1817, from 1802 4th Earl, Lieutenant of Dover Castle)
Autograph letter signed to 'Sirs',
asking "should any letters arrive at Paris directed to Mrs St. Leger or to me I beg you will keep them till we arrive there ... We have contrary to our expectations, found every convenience at this place ... The Mutton, Beef, Fish, Game etc. etc. are all very good and the Traiteur [chef] above mediocrity. My Health ... is better than when I came here. Our Lodgings chez Madame Du Degagé are clean and comfortable ... I am under particular obligation to Citizen Fage for his Skill and attention", 2 sides 4to., Bourbon L'Archambault, 28th September
right hand margin a little ragged without loss
Item Date:
1802
Stock No:
14988
£95
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GUILLAUME DE VAUDONCOURT
(1772-1845, Frédéric François, French Artillery General of Brigade, Military Historian and Cartographer)
Autograph letter signed, in French with translation, to his publisher Barrois of Paris,
saying he has received bills for payment of 3000 francs, in three instalments, for the entire property in his book, 'History of the Campaign waged by the French in Germany - 1813', with a further 500 francs agreed should there be a second edition, to cover revisions and corrections, 1 side 8vo. and conjugate blank, Munich, 7th September
two small defects in conjugate blank
Item Date:
1818
Stock No:
52715
£125
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GUILLAUME DE VAUDONCOURT
(1772-1845, Frédéric François, French Artillery General of Brigade, Military Historian and Cartographer)
Autograph Letter Signed in French with translation, to Monsieur Anselin, Bookseller in Paris,
about his work on the war in Russia, explaining that he did not immediately send the copper plates in his possession, since he needed to refer back to his agreement with M. Barrois of 24th May 1815, detailing the relevant provisions for an original edition of 1025 copies and any reprinting, Anselin has taken over the remaining stock from Barrois' bankruptcy, clearly Barrois thought that the first edition had been completed, and paid Guillaume in full, so that Guillaume was not a party to the bankruptcy, but Barrois kept back some copper plates in case of a reprint. Since in fact there are copies of the text of the original edition lacking plates, Guillaume readily allows Anselin to use them, but suggests a form of agreement preserving Guillaume's rights in case of reprinting, naming the plates in his possession, ('Battle of Mohilov', 'Environs of Polotzk' ... 'Battle of Gorodeczno' ... 'Battle of Wiazma'), 2 sides 8vo, address on conjugate leaf, 10 rue de Ponthieu, Paris, 22nd April
Item Date:
1844
Stock No:
52775
£275
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GULF OF SMIRNA
Autograph Letter Signed from Capt G. W. Hamilton, to an unnamed correspondent,
hoping he will "arrange everything at Constantinople, but, if not - I beg of you to come into the Gulf of Smirna ..." where he will "have Ships or Brigs ... this will make a line of communication for your Excellency to the Squadrons at Smirna ... the frigate Dryad will then be placed at your disposal, but I am very anxious to see you ... before you pass Smirna ...", 2 sides 4to., no place, no date, c.
Item Date:
1880
Stock No:
4374
£25
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