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12mo. 4.5 x 7 inches. vi + 373 pp. + [1] + 4 pp. advertisements. Half title. Bound in original quarter blue cloth over plain card boards, with paper label on spine. Extremities worn and some foxing, but otherwise a good copy. The narrative of a junior officer in the final stages of the peninsular campaign, 1813-14, from the siege of San Sebastian, and over the French border and eventually to the siege of Bayonne. Although published anonymously, it is known to be the work of George Robert Gleig (1796-1888), born at Stirling and educated at Glasgow and Oxford. Leaving the parade ground at Hythe, his regiment set sail from Dover, but soon found themselves unable to round the headland of Dungeness, because of adverse seas, and were forced to shelter for over a week ('the very name of Dungeness is abomination in mine ears'), relieved only by landing on 'the shingly beach' and receiving a day's hospitality from two Lydd families. After France he later saw action in North America, but at the end of the wars was pressed by his father, the Bishop of Brechin, to enter the church. After further study at Oxford Gleig was ordained in 1820, being appointed curate of Westwell, to which, by 1822 was added Ash and the living of Ivychurch. While in Kent, he became editor and part owner of the Kentish Gazette, opposing political reform to please his reluctant patron, the Duke of Wellington. He was also active as a Kent justice during the 1830-31 Captain Swing riots, which had originated in the county. After writing on church affairs, he achieved literary success with The Subaltern, originally published in Blackwood's Magazine and in book form in 1825 (it subsequently appeared in various editions up to 1872). Gleig continued to pursue a prolific literary career, while combining his military and ecclesiastical experience in his appointment as chaplain-general of the forces (1844-75), also becoming, in 1846, inspector-general of military schools. KENT MILITARY KENT - EAST KENT ROMNEY MARSH MILITARY 19TH CENTURY KENT.
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