EDINBURGH

At the outbreak of the Flagstaff War, Robertson-Macdonald was serving as Commander of HMS Hazard. On 11 March 1845 he was severely wounded while leading the defence of the town of Kororarika (now Russell) from 'the attack of an overwhelming body of natives', resulting in the loss of six of his men. The three transcripts that form Item One below relate to this action, and were presumably made out by the Admiral himself towards the end of his life, in a shaky hand and with a number of errors.

Both items in fair condition, lightly-aged and worn. Severin Wielobycki's letter is 1p., 12mo. On the recto of the first leaf of a bifolium. It reads: 'Dear Madam. | I am much delighted that you take interest in my brother; all friends of his are of the same opinion tat he has been treated very unjustly. I hope your influence will if not relieve him, at any rate shorten his horrible sentence. | I beg to enclose two copies of the document according to your request' (only one copy present). The report of 'Dr Wielobycki's Trial' is 1p., 4to, on grey paper, in two columns of small print.

1p., 4to. Bifolium, addressed by Alison on reverse of second leaf to 'The | Lady Charlotte Campbell | D<?>cks Hotel'. Good, on aged paper, with label at head in a contemporary hand attributing the letter to Alison, who was seventeen at the time of writing, but already at Edinburgh University. Docketed by Campbell 'from Mr. Alison | recevd Edinh. | March Seven 1809'. An interesting letter, casting light on the reading practices of the upper classes in Georgian Scotland. Alison's conceit is that he is writing a letter of introduction for a real person.

On 3.5 x 11 cm piece of laid paper. In good condition, on lightly-aged and spotted paper. An elegant signature, firmly written with no surrounding text.

4pp., 16mo. Bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper, with slight traces of glue to fold edge. The first two pages carry the 'Prospectus', beginning: 'NO Scientific subject can be so important to Man as that of his own life. No knowledge can be so incessantly appealed to by the incidents of the every day, as the knowledge of the processes by which he lives and acts. At every moment he is in danger of disobeying laws which, when disobeyed, may bring years of suffering, decline of powers, premature decay.

2pp., foolscap 8vo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. Captain Begg had died at the Siege of Kut Al Amara, Mesopotamia (now Iraq), and Urquhart begins by informing the Rev. Begg that the inventory which he sent of his brother's effects has 'gone astray'. 'In order to save any further delay I am forwarding you a complete list including some things recently recovered from Kirkee Arsenal. Would you kindly point out what you wish returned to you. The remaining items will be sold by auction here.' He continues with 'a summary of what has been done up to date'.

1p., 12mo. In fair condition, laid down on backing and a little creased. He thanks him for a letter about 'the study you are doing of Royal bookplates, and of course I remember the icon you had had [sic] of my great aunt Ella and was so pleased to have the postcard of it you kindly sent me'. He is also pleased to learn that Lee has been able to identify the print which his father sent Lee of his bookplate as the work of George Taylor Friend, 'which I am sure he would have been very pleased to know'. Lee's research 'must produced quite a few headaches, but with very interesting results'.

On one side of a 5 x 8 cm piece of paper, cut from a letter, and backed with card. In good condition, lightly-aged, with the top two corners rounded. Reads: 'I am | Gentlemen | Your very obed Sert | [signed] Geo Combe'.

43pp., 12mo. Closely written in a ruled black cloth notebook, titled on first page 'CHILDREN'S BOOK'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper; torn scraps of paper adhering to the waxed cloth covers. Containing such information as date and time of birth, weight of child, name of doctor and 'nurse-housemaid', teething ('R. J.s first eye-tooth'), first walk, first words ('R. J. said ("I'm a pe-pe" - this probably only imitation; since called himself Baby).

Address panel, c. 13 x 8cm, edges sl. ragged, mainlky good condition.The reverse is blank apart from remnants of glue for prior laying down, and the identification of John A. Murray as "Lord Advocate | M.P. Leith". The Bannatyne Club, founded by Sir Walter Scott, in 1823, disbanded 1861. David Laing "had an antiquarian turn, and was the first Secretary of the Bannantyne Club on its foundation on 27 February 1823. In 1826 he was elected a Fellow of The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He became Librarian of the Signet Library in 1837, gave up the bookshop and sold the stock.

Both letter and pamphlet in very good condition. Letter: 8pp., 4to. Written a few days before Russell's death on 12 March 1956. On the first page he describes how the London esoteric bookseller J. M.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The letter reads: 'My dear Ella: | It wd be very kind if you cd come to see me as I have never recovered & am downstairs again. - Will you come to tea to-day or tomorrow. I want somebody to play with me!'

Possibly submitted by the 'Mr William Crosbie, wine and spirit merchant', whose death at Castle Douglas on 15 March 1821 is recorded in Blackwood's Magazine, April 1821. 1p., 8vo. Neatly written out on watermarked laid paper. Headed 'Fanny Wilson for fathers funeral | To William Crosbie | 1810'. Eleven entries for the funeral on 1 October 1812, including two plum cakes, '11 Cakes Short Bread'; '2 Gallons <?> Rum' and '2 1/4 ditto Whisky'; '6 Bottles Old Port' and '6 ditto Sherry'. Receipt of payment on 5 November at foot, signed by Crosbie.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With remains of envelope, addressed by Rogers. He states that his 'Boswelliana', which was 'published at a guinea can be got for twelve shillings', and that 'a bookseller has undertaken to hunt for 'A Century of Scottish Life' which has long been sold off; it will cost you six shillings - six was the original price.' After forwarding the address of Sabine Baring-Gould he states that he is 'now living in Edinburgh at the above address'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In original envelope, with black wax armorial seal, addressed by Dalhousie to 'Mr. Forbes | 76 Queen Street | Edinr.' Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Dealing with his 'own Servant' Wood, first, he states that he has been with him for five years, 'in keeping my Cloaths, and my Butler latterly altogether; I have found him at all times sober, attentive active, and I believe him perfectly honest, & trustworthy. He has kept my house accounts, my Cellar Books, & all house matters regarding the men Servants, & that both at home and abroad to my satisfaction.

The two items and the folder are all lightly-aged and in good condition. Green card folder, with 'Heywood's Authentic Series of Press Biographies. | Major P. G. Craigie, C.B.' and 'C/21' printed on front. The printed biography is 9pp., 8vo, on nine loose leaves attached to one another by a brass stud. The engraving, by Art Repro Co, from a photograph by Reinhold Thiele & Co. of Chancery Lane, is on a piece of thick paper 29 x 21 cm. Dimensions of plate 15.5 x 10.5 cm. A bearded Craigie stands in formal attire with right hand in pocket.

From the papers of the nuclear physicist Robert Kersey Green. The collection contains periodicals, advertisements, handbills, prospectuses (one damp damaged), reports, form, invitations, two cards and a ticket. In fair condition, on aged paper, and with a couple of items carrying traces of damp. Five sets of accounts, four for Edinburgh, 1958 and 1963, and one for Garvald (see below), of which four are typed copies and one in manuscript ('Notes re 76 Polwarth Terrace'). Mounted long black and white photograph of architectural model, captioned on reverse 'SCHOOL.

1p., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with remains of stub to reverse. His friend 'M Mallar' has come to Great Britain, 'recommended by the French government for the official purpose of looking into the state of education in Scotland'.

1p., landscape 8vo. On the first leaf of a bifolium. Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Well presented, with the second blank leaf neatly inserted into a windowpane border. The poem is sixteen lines long, arranged in four stanzas, neatly written out on a piece of wove paper. The first stanza reads 'Confide ye aye in Providence, for Providence is Kind | And bear ye a' lifes changes, wi a calm an' tranquil mind | Though pressed an' hemmed on every side, hae faith, an' ye'll win through | For ilka blade o grass keeps its ain drap o dew'.

2pp., 12mo. 33 lines of text, written in a close, neat hand. Good, on lightly-aged paper. She begins with a five-line 'encomium', before assuring Mrs Drysdale that she is 'pretty safe': 'I have been considered By People of the Highest Rank to whom I was known merely as a private teacher &c &c of moral virtues To possess of <?> for the highest talents & the purest Virtues I have been familiar I need not say why. None of these I ever flattered.

Poem: On one side of a piece of 12mo paper. Fair, lightly-aged and a little ruckled, with traces of gum from previous mounting on the blank reverse. The 12-line poem is written in heroic couplets, and begins 'POOR, faithful animal, adieu! - | To Nature's kind affection true, | For fourteen years, thy grateful heart, | Devoted, play'd its humble part.' At the end a contemporary hand has ascribed the poem to 'B. B.', and the same hand gives the date as 'September 3d'.

Printed on one side of a 4to leaf, to which a black mourning border has been given by hand. Well printed on wove paper. Fair, on lightly-aged and ruckled paper. The author's name is not given, and the title reads 'SONNET | ON THE LATE | DUTCHESS [sic] OF GORDON.' The poem begins: 'IS then the bright expansive spirit flown, | That wont to animate the admiring throng? | Does the fair theme of many a poet's Song | Exist in pleasing memory alone?' The poem was also printed in 'The Poetical Register, and Repository of Fugitive Poetry, for 1810-1811' (London: F. C. and J.

'This Bibliographical Catalogue, compiled by Cecil Woolf and Alan Anderson, is limited to two hundred copies.' 8vo, 9 pp. In original green printed wraps. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with single manuscript correction in green ink. Full-page introduction on Douglas by Moray McLaren. Scarce: the only copies on COPAC at Oxford, the British Library, and the National Library of Scotland.

Janet Maxwell married William Maxwell in Buittle Parish on 3 September 1839, and died three years later. The nine items, in good condition on lightly-aged paper, provide a fascinating insight into the requisites and cost of an early Victorian Scottish middle-class wedding, from the wedding 'pelisse' to the 'bride's cake'. ONE. Covering packet with manuscript note by J. H. Maxwell reading 'Vouchers | My Daughters marriage - clothes jewellery pocket money &c | 3d Sep 1839 | £439. 5. 4'. TWO. Autograph itemised account by J. H. Maxwell. 12mo, 1 p.

12mo, 16 pp. Unbound, unstitched and unopened. A half-sheet folded three times to make eight leaves. Reproduction of early engraving on first page, vignette of country scene on last page, three illustrations of tools and a further thirteen numbered figures in text. Text and images clear and complete. Publishing details, with price of '1/2d' printed upwards along inner margin of last page. On aged paper, with slight damage to the margin of the first leaf. This single issue scarce: no copy on COPAC. Chambers Miscellany was originally published between 1844 and 1847.

12mo, 1 p. On recto of first leaf of bifolium. Addressed, with broken red wax seal, on verso of second leaf. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Knowing of Bell's 'attachment to the Civil Law', he invites him to a breakfast, where he will 'meet with Justinian, & a few select jurists'.

Cardc.10 x 14cm, prob. whiet or cream originally but discoloured now, printed text clear and complte, on the recto a list of members from 1803 Sir James Hall to [1827] William Murray, giving as shown the year of admission (mainly 1803). On the verso, the dates for the Friday Club dinners Jan.1828 to Jan.1829 are given. The List of Mmebers is annotated in pencil, adding titles, occasionally professions (Adm., WS, Poet). At the top of the recto, A Copy of this Appears in Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter Scott.

The twelve McDowall engravings each on separate cards of shiny art paper, each 90 x 130 cm, and all but the card with the image of the Scott Memorial (see below) in landscape. The Menzies engraving of Loch Ness, in similar style to the others on shiny art paper, but slightly larger, at 90 x 140 cm and landscape. Delicate items, in fair condition, with browning to edges, but images clear and complete. The engravings on the McDowall cards are as follows. By T. G. Flowers: Heriot's Hospital (founded 1628); and 'Assembly Hall, Heriots Hospital and Castle'. By G.

12mo, xi + [vi] + 46 pp. Stitched as issued, in original marbled-paper wraps. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The title leaf is followed by a nine-page preface, taking the pagination to p.xi. The page following p.xi (on the verso of the leaf) is blank, and this is followed by three unpaginated leaves carrying a six-page 'Act of Parliament in Favours [sic] of the Maiden Hospital, Founded by the Company of Merchants and Mary Erskine.' This 'Act', which precedes the 46 pages of the 'Rules and Constitutions', would not appear to be present in all copies.

12mo, 14pp, disbound, first leaf detached, good condition. Text clear and complete. In which the publishers outline their (historical) policy and ambitions for the various aspects of the periodical, and provide an Index by volume and subject. Sir Walter Scott took an almost proprietorial interest in this periodical. Scarce: COPAC lists NLS copy only (16pp).