An Account of the Islands of Walcheren and South Beveland,

by HARGROVE, George.

$1,284 · Offered by Biblio

Dublin: Printed by William Folds for Gilbert and Hodges, and for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London,, 1812. First and only edition of this uncommon eyewitness account of the disastrous British expedition to the Scheldt in 1809. Hargrove was assistant surgeon to the Royal Artillery and here appends "a few remarks" on the nature and causes of the disease that struck down over half of the invading force. In his introduction Hargrove explains that his account was written "purely for the purpose of filling up a leisure moment with a useful pursuit", but that his friends urged him to publish, many of whom are no doubt included in the impressive 18-page list of subscribers. Hargrove suspended publication awaiting the outcome of the parliamentary enquiry into the conduct of the campaign so that there could be no supposition that his "narrative might have been thought to interfere with the political view of the subject". As he concludes with the hope that "this humane and generous nation will do justice to Lord Chatham, who, instead of decking his brow with blood-stained laurels, yielded to the suggestions of mercy" in coming to terms with his French opponent and withdrawing, he will have been disappointed with the outcome. Chatham had been recalled in disgrace, and perhaps unfairly was made to carry responsibility for the dismal failure, he was "set an impossible task, for the medical establishment and resources were totally inadequate... Nevertheless, Chatham's natural laz

• Year: 1812
• Binding: hardcover

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