India--Young, William

with a dedication (1 page) to an unnamed family member in England, and 3 watercolour illustrations by the author, in black and purple ink, with one page of unrelated notes written on a blank and four names and addresses in a different hand on the first leaf, 99 pages, small folio, Bangalore, 1871, later calf-backed cloth, original wrappers bound in, leaves repaired at foot with slight loss

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"The following pages were written whilst soldiering in India - surrounded by lovely scenery, thousands of miles away ... to give you all at home, some faint idea of my chequered life..."

A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF A SOLDIER'S LIFE IN MADRAS, RANGOON AND BANGALORE. Young recounts his life from childhood, but the great bulk of his memoir is given over to his military service in India. He joined the 76th Regiment of Foot - to the despair of his mother, who had already lost two sons in service - and reached India in February 1864. He gives a charming account of courting his wife, the daughter of a Warrant Officer, in Madras, and recalls at length the difficulties of accommodating married life with military service. His wife died and he was invalided back to England, but returned again to Bangalore in 1871. The last quarter of the memoir comprises a detailed account of a journey through Mysore in November-December 1871, which reveals Young's deep love for the Indian landscape.