Diary [manuscript]. 1814-1889.

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Diary [manuscript]. 1814-1889.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/225843883

Diary of a journey from London to Bombay, via Constantinople and Bagdad, undertaken by Lieut. Charles Swanston, 12th Madras Infantry between 30th April and 10th October 1814, when conveying despatches to the Governor General of India announcing the Peace of Paris. Manuscript (contemporary transcript from an original to 29th June. From 3rd July to 10th October, later transcription added in 1889 by J.S. Swanston from the original journal kept in pencil. No entries 30th June to 2nd July). Maps loosely inserted. Title added in 1889. 111 pages in a legible contemporary hand and a further 24 pages by J.S. Swanston, with a page of introduction and a table index giving dates, stages, hours and miles from Scutari to Bagdad. Bound in sm. 4to full calf, gilt back damaged, gilt borders on sides. Manuscript on laid paper c.1800. We have not been able to ascertain whether the original still exists. It certainly seems doubtful for when 1889 J.S. Swanston added the final part, he states in a brief introduction that "the following has been transcribed from the original journal kept in pencil which has been very difficult to decipher in places owing to indistinctness of the writing through age". This suggests that the main first part of the original journal was kept in pencil also. Hence the contemporary transcription made as a lasting record.

4 cm. (1 v.)

Libraries Australia

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SNAC Resource ID: 7077000

Libraries Australia

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Swanston, J. S.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p05pp5 (person)

Swanston, Charles, 1790-1850

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xt0f0v (person)

Swanston, Charles, 1789-1850.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pp0kng (person)

Captain Charles Swanston (1789-1850)was a banker and owned the Derwent Bank of Hobart, which was the first bank to open for business in Melbourne (1838). He was a member of the Port Phillip Association formed by John Batman for the express purpose of exploring and claiming the Port Phillip District. From the description of Diary [microform]. 1814. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 224480075 Born in Scotland, at the age of 16 Swanston was commissioned a lieutenant in...