Thirty Years in India:

First Edition. The author served with the 27th Madras Native Infantry and the Wynaud Rangers. This is his lively memoir of military life in India in the 19th century, on campaign, typical recreations (hunting, fishing and shooting) political observations, and a keen eye for native life in the town and country, manners and mores of the local population, with digressions on thuggee, tea and coffee plantations, opium cultivation and use, and an appendix giving Bevan’s evidence on slavery in India given to the select committee on the East India Company of 1832.

2 volumes, 8vo (192 × 119 mm). Contemporary calf, a little rubbed, rebacked, red and black labels, spine gilt in compartments, overall a little rubbed. Hand-coloured frontispiece (Trooper and Sepoy) to vol. I, 2 uncoloured frontispieces to vol. II (Hindoos and Mohammedans), folding map to vol. I. Bookplates of the Earl of Derby. Some offsetting from the coloured frontispiece, light toning throughout, otherwise very good