Amour

Memoirs relating to the French Revolution.

1797 · Best.-Nr. 178756 — London: Cadell and Davies 1797. A French Royalist's account of the defining event of the age Horatio Nelson's copy with his left-handed ink signature on the half-title "Horatio Nelson". This is an early example of Nelson using his left hand following the loss of his right arm at the unsuccessful attack on Santa Cruz Tenerife on 25 July 1797. The Marquis de Bouillé 1739-1800 a general and colonial administrator made a name for himself during the Seven Years War and in 1768 was appointed governor of Guadeloupe. During the American War of Independence he took part in successful operations in the West Indies. A convinced royalist in 1791 he was involved in the failed flight of the French royal family. He then fled abroad first to Prussia and then England where having assisted with military activities against Revolutionary France he died. His book's warm notice in the Monthly Review may have drawn Nelson's attention where Bouillé's "humanity and generosity in the West Indies" is remarked upon. Louis XVI's failed flight to Varennes is "related fully clearly and with a variety of interesting circumstances which are not to be found in any preceding publication". The review concludes by noting that his memoirs "are not calculated to please either the haughty aristocrat or the violent democrat". Octavo pp. xi i errata 564 16 ads. Original boards uncut. Housed in a custom quarter sheep solander box. Much of paper lost from spine contemporary manuscript title to same "Revolution" faint pencil inscription to front cover "Ld. Nelson" sides rubbed corners worn faint tidemark in gutter of title page and a few gatherings lightly toned throughout general foxing. A used copy perhaps having been employed in a shipboard library. ESTC T144104. The Monthly Review vol. XXIV 1797. hardcover