[Richard Bentley, publisher.] Two copies (one proof) of his pamphlet 'Death of the Broad Gauge', describing a Great Western Railway journey during the switch to Narrow Gauge, in a series of letters to his father George Bentley. With printed envelope.

All three items in good condition, lightly aged and worn. ONE: Untitled proof, with 'Proof 6.12.92 [i.e. 6 December 1992]' in manuscript at foot of first page. 20pp., 8vo. Unbound and unstitched. Two manuscript corrections, and two indications of where maps are to be placed. The first letter is written from 'Dawlish, S. Devon, | May 20, 1892', and the last from 'Clifton, | May 31, 1892'. A passage, on pp.5-8, is under the heading 'The End of the Broad Gauge', the first paragraph reading: 'On Thursday the men arrived from all parts of the G.W. system, and brought tents, tools, and cooking-pots. Tea was handed round in huge galvanized Swindon pails, twice the size of an ordinary pail, into which the mugs were dipped. The men slept on straw by the side of the line in tents, and in somem places were billeted out. All preserved steady, industrious, quiet demeanour, with purpose and alacrity, quite unlike the bad half of the army which cannot go abroad and we put up with at home.' TWO: [drophead title] 'DEATH OF THE BROAD GAUGE.' 18pp., 8vo. Unbound and stitched. Same text as Item One, but with title, and entirely reset in smaller type, and with substantial alterations. (As an example, the following passages from the conclusion of the final letter (p.20) are not present in the same letter in this version (p.18): 'I am making use of a smudged sheet of paper, as three sides of it are quite good. | Coutts have advised a payment in of £150, for which I am much obliged. [...] | I am glad that M. M. was so considerate.') Two extra footnotes. No maps. THREE: 12mo envelope, with printed form on cover headed 'TRAIN LETTER, per [blank] Railway.' The envelope is 'To be handed in at the Railway Parcel or Booking-Office.' At foot: 'In the event of miscarriage please return to RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, New Burlington Street, London.'