an Officer for Fire-Side Travellers At-Home; [Sherer, Moyle]
Sketches of India
Sketches of India
London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green, 1824. 2d ed., with additions. Small quarto in half leather and marbled paper-backed boards; marbled edges; gilt fleurons and detailing to boards;; iv, 297 pages; 22 cm. Ex-library with minimal markings and a circulation card and card pocket to rear board; personal donation bookplate of one Dr. Jean-Louis Brindamour to front free end paper; exterior moderately rubbed and edge-worn; front joint very delicate and partly cracked at fold. Leaves clean. Overall an about good(+) thus.
Author's first book, which went through several editions. Detailed descriptions and impressions of India by a younf English soldier in the early 19th century, including writing on magic lanterns, Goa, Hindoo widow[s], a Jewish Synagogue, Canoge, and much more.No illustrations. ¶ "Moyle was born in Southampton, the youngest son of Joseph Sherer. He was lineally descended, through his grandmother, from the Moyles of Bake, Cornwall. Aged twelve he was sent to Winchester College, but left on obtaining a commission in the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot (which later became part of the Border Regiment). In 1809 his corps was ordered to Portugal, and was soon engaged in the Peninsula War. The regiment took part in the Battle of Albuera, the Battle of Arroyo dos Molinos, and the Battle of Vitoria. In the summer of 1813, Sherer was taken prisoner at the Battle of Maya, and was removed to France, where he remained for two years, living chiefly at Bayonne. Writing career In 1818 the 34th went out to Madras (present-day Chennai), and from there Sherer sent home the manuscript of his first book, Sketches of India. It was published in 1821, and went through four editions. He returned to England in 1823 and, encouraged by his success, produced Recollections of the Peninsula, which was also popular and reached a fifth edition."—Wikipedia ¶ India -- Description and travel. South Asia. Inde -- Descriptions et voyages. India. Moyle Sherer (or Joseph Moyle Sherer; 18 February 1789 – 15 November 1869[1]) was a British army officer, traveller and writer.