Sketches on the Intrinsic Strength, Military and Naval Force of France and Russia;

£300 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

Uncommon, four copies on COPAC only with variable imprints, “London 1803” on occasion obscured by a label giving the place of publication as The Hague, from where the Preface is apparently addressed. Edinburgh and Leeds records suggest “Wyndham” as the author, which suggests that this may be William Windham, Secretary at War, 1794-1801 and again 1806-7. However, in his lengthy, but not entirely approving, review of the book in the Edinburgh Review of 1804 Henry Brougham makes a number of remarks which make this seem unlikely; “This is altogether a very singluar work. The language is that of a foreigner pretty well acquainted with English, or of an Englishman who, by long residence abroad, has lost the free use of his native tongue and mingled it with foreign idioms. From internal evidence we are inclined to believe the author’s own assertion, that he is a Briton, and generally of that description which we usually compliment with the epiphet of British , an appellation more honourable, if possible, in the present day, than at any former period of our story.” A copy of this illuminating review, disbound, is included with this item. The author assesses the threat posed by Napoleon and suggests possible methods by which to oppose it; “If Bonaparte… be able to maintain an unlimited authority at the head of the French nation, and keep alive, upon interior improvement, that energy and vigour which the revolution has brought forth amongst that people, the intrinsic sources of the Eur

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