AMERICA - BLACK VOTING RIGHTS The Fifteenth Amendment. Celebrated May 19th 1870, hand-coloured lithograph after James C. Beard, comprising a large oval scene of a Black zouave regiment on parade, surrounded by portraits of Lincoln, Martin Delany, Frederick Douglass, Hiram Revels, John Brown and Ulysses Grant, interspersed with vignettes depicting Black figures voting, marrying, being educated, in military service, in legislative and church meetings etc., top of upper margin with 3 short tears and strengthened on reverse, 608 x 765mm., New York, Thomas Kelly, 1870 Footnotes: Striking lithograph celebrating the passing of the Fifteenth Amendment, which sought to ensure that 'the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude'. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
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NEWTON (ISAAC)Autograph letter signed ('Your most humble & most obedient/ Servant/ Is. Newton') to Samuel Pepys ('Sr'), rejoicing at receiving a letter from him, glad to hear of his good health from the bearer and hoping said bearer [Samuel Newton] will answer their expectations, going on '...He shewed me your Problem. Viz How seamen may be convinced of the possibilities of improving navigation. I know no certain way of convincing them; but the best way that I can think of is by shewing them out of history that navigation has been improved in all ages down to our own, that some things of great moment are still wanting... & that ships often miscarry through their unskilfulness, wch is your own argument. But when all is done there will be no certain way of convincing them but by improving it. And then they will be convinced only so far, as they see it improved. For what seaman would have expected the inventions of sails, Anchors, Rudders, the compass & Gunpowder till they were found out...', thanking him for the encouragement he is giving Sam Newton '...for tho' he is almost a stranger to me, yet I should be glad to find that he gives satisfaction as well for ye sake of my Recommendation as for the sake of the Hospitall...', integral address panel addressed 'For the Honble Samuel Pepys Esq/ in York Buildings/ London', docketed in ink on recto 'May.17.1695' in the hand of Pepys, and on verso in another hand, one page on a bifolium, crown and circle watermark with initials CC and P, seal tear, light dust-staining, creased at folds, losses along upper fold, not affecting text, 4to (210 x 150mm.), Trinity College, Cambridge, 17 May [16]95Footnotes:'FOR WHAT SEAMAN WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE INVENTIONS OF SAILS, ANCHORS, RUDDERS, THE COMPASS & GUNPOWDER TILL THEY WERE FOUND OUT': AN IMPORTANT NEWLY DISCOVERED LETTER FROM ISAAC NEWTON TO SAMUEL PEPYS - ON IMPROVING THE TUITION IN NAVIGATION AT CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.Remarkably little correspondence between two of the great figures of the age survives, which makes our newly-discovered letter a great rarity. Indeed, only four other letters from Newton to Pepys are recorded in the seven volume Correspondence of Isaac Newton (Vol.III, nos. 420, 432, 434 and 436, 13 September, 26 November, 16 December, 23 December 1693) and three from Pepys to Newton (Correspondence, Vol.III, nos. 431, 433 and 435, 22 November, 9 and 21 December 1693). The series begins with a curious letter from Newton written during a period of great anxiety and insomnia in September 1693 in which he seeks to cut off his friendship with Pepys. In December Pepys attempts to re-engage with Newton by posing a problem of chance and probability which is enthusiastically discussed on both sides. Our letter, written in May 1695, would appear to be Newton's response to Pepys' letter of the 13th of that month (ed. J.F. Scott, Correspondence of Isaac Newton, 1967, Vol.IV, no.508, British Museum Add.Mss 20732) in which Pepys expresses his future hopes for Samuel Newton (no relation), recently appointed to the position of mathematics master at Christ's Hospital on Newton's recommendation, writing: '...I have mighty hopes of seeing the Royll Foundation recover through ye Industry, Practice, & Spbriety of this Gentn...I do hope... that hee will therein fully make good ye Character You were latterly pleased to give him to ye Hospitall...'.It is unfortunate that Pepys' diaries end years before he encountered Newton, but they had much common business and they are forever linked, according to Claire Tomalin (Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self, 2002, p.252), through the Royal Society's publication of Newton's Principia Mathematica in 1687. Whilst not a scientist, Pepys was chosen as President of the Royal Society from 1684-86 for his administrative and fundraising skills at a time when the Society was depleted in numbers, in trouble financially and in need of reorganisation. The title page of Newton's seminal work gives Pepys' and the Society's imprimatur authorising the publication, although it was in fact Edmund Halley, later Astronomer Royal, who encouraged Newton to publish and actually paid for the publication. Newton was a guest in Pepys' home two days after the funeral of Robert Boyle in January 1692 at a time when, according to Newton's biographer Richard Westfall, Newton had '...established himself as the leading intellectual of the land... From every indication he relished a new role of scientific consultant...' (Richard Westfall, Never at Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton, 1983, p.498).Newton and Pepys also shared a common interest in Christ's Hospital, with which they both had a long-standing relationship. Within the establishment, a Royal Mathematical School had been set up in 1673 by Sir Robert Claydon, Alderman and later Lord Mayor, with the approval of Charles II, to teach boys mathematics and the art of navigation along the lines of Louis XIV and Colbert's French model. Forty 14-year-old boys from the school (known as 'Mathemats') were chosen to take up the first places, entitled to wear a silver plated badge designed by Robert Hooke, and still worn by pupils today. Pepys had been appointed a governor of Christ's Hospital in 1676 and held the office of vice-president from 1699 until his death in 1703. Through his role at the Admiralty he wished to professionalise the navy by encouraging promotion by merit, with the aid of examinations in navigation and seamanship and with this in mind he persuaded the government to make a financial contribution to ships' masters to take on apprentices from the school. Others involved with the school included Sir Christopher Wren, John Flamsteed, astronomer at the new Greenwich Observatory, and teacher to the boys, and of course Isaac Newton, who had a say in appointments and, as shown in our letter, had a considerable interest in the teaching of mathematics and modernising the curriculum. Our letter demonstrates Newton's influence in advancing the study of practical navigation. He argues here that new technology should be embraced, and that invention must be encouraged as a means to progress: '...For what seaman would have expected the inventions of sails, Anchors, Rudders, the compass & Gunpowder till they were found out...' he reasons. In 1694 Newton drew up a revised syllabus for the school which occupies eight closely written pages of the school's Committee Book. He sets this out in a letter to Nathaniel Hawes (Treasurer from 1683 to 1699) of 25 May 1694, as a New Scheme of Learning: '...the Mathematicall children, being the flower of the Hospital, may in time furnish the National wth a more skilfull sort of Sailors, Builders of Ships, Architects, Engineers and Mathematicall Artists of all sorts, both by Sea and Land, then France can at present boast of...' (Correspondence, no.452). The revised scheme drawn up by Sir Matthew Andrews in 1696 took this on board and recommended tuition '...in the use of globes and the use of instruments proper for observing the ships latitude at Sea, As the Cross Staffe, Quadrant, and other necessary instruments...' (Ernest Harold Pearce, Annals of Christ's Hospital, 1908, p.124). Ironically it was not until 1775 that the first teacher with considerable practical experience at sea was employed at the school, one William Wales who had served as navigator aboard the Resolution on Captain Cook's second voyage and whose log book inspired Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
![AMERICAN REVOLUTION[KORN (CHRISTOPH HEINRICH)] Geschichte der Kriege in und ausser Europa vom Anfange des Ausstandes der brit](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/1a910766-0dd9-4936-92b0-b01f00d20207/a6a400f7-5db3-4351-89ab-b01f00e57ff0/468x382.jpg)
AMERICAN REVOLUTION[KORN (CHRISTOPH HEINRICH)] Geschichte der Kriege in und ausser Europa vom Anfange des Ausstandes der brittischen Kolonien in Nordamerika an, Parts 1-12 (of 30) bound in 3 vol., 11 engraved maps and plans in total (6 folding, 4 hand-coloured), 8 engraved portraits of important figures in the Revolution, woodcut head- and tail-pieces, light foxing, contemporary blue boards, manuscript title to spines, light wear [Sabin 27213], 4to, Nuremberg, Gabriel Nicolaus Raspe, 1776-1777Footnotes:A contemporary European account of the American War of Independence. The work is attributed to Christoph Heinrich Korn (1726-1783), a German army officer. Originally issued in 30 parts, the first 12 parts present here deal specifically with the recent warfare in America. Images include a plan of Boston, view of Quebec, and maps of New England, New York and Pennsylvania.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
AMERICA - TREATY OF WASHINGTON 1871Group of material pertaining to the Treaty of Washington, 1871, collected by Frederic Daustini Cremer, accompanying the British delegation under the chairmanship of Earl de Grey, comprising some fourteen letters, signatures and other items:i) Signatures of the British and American signatories of the Treaty of Washington, including the British High Commissioners (George Robinson, the Earl de Grey and Ripon (chairman), Stafford Northcote, Edward Thornton, John Macdonald and Montague Bernard) and the American delegation (U.S. Secretary of State Hamilton Fish (chairman), Robert Schenck, Samuel Nelson, Ebenezer Hoar and George Williams), with seven other protagonists, 2 pages, written on recto only on lined paper, watermark 'Department of State/ US', creased, page one affixed to an album leaf, page two loose, folio (345 x 210mm.), dated at head 'May 8 1871/ 11am'; with portrait photograph of President Ulysses S. Grant seated in an armchair, signed in ink on lower margin ('U.S. Grant') affixed to the reverse of an album leaf, page one of the above list of signatures on verso, folded and creased across centre of image, 151 x 103mm. ii) Autograph note in the third person from General W. T. Sherman to Earl de Grey, accepting an invitation to dine, on US Army Headquarters notepaper, one page on a bifolium, lined paper, affixed to an album leaf, some browning, 8vo (200 x 125mm.), Washington, 28 February [18]71 iii) Two autograph letters signed ('U.S. Grant'), the first to Hamilton Fish, making arrangements to meet the Italian Minister, on Executive Mansion notepaper, one page on a bifolium, creased, 8vo, Washington DC, 13 May [18]70; the second to an unknown recipient, arranging to meet at Harrisburg, 3 pages on a bifolium, lined paper, torn along fold, creased, 8vo, Long Branch, N.J., 6 August 1870, both affixed to an album leaf; with an accompanying letter to Frederic Daustini Cremer on Executive Mansion notepaper sending him '...an autograph letter of Gen Grant's as a memento... it is one selected for the reason that it is entirely unofficial...', 3 pages on a bifolium, creased, 8vo, Washington, 5 May [18]71iv) Autograph letter signed ('Hamilton Fish') to Hon Ogden Hoffman of San Francisco ('My dear Judge'), a letter of introduction for '...Lord Goderich and his friend Mr Cremer. The former is the son of the Earl de Grey & the latter is his Lordships Secretary...', 2pp. on a bifolium, 8vo, Washington, 6 May 1871; with accompanying autograph envelope; and two autograph letters from Charles Sumner, one to Mrs Fish regarding a book of Froissart illustrations and another in the third person to Earl de Grey accepting an invitation, 4 pages, 8vo, 7 May [18]66 and 13 March [no date]; with autograph letter signed ('Schulyer Colfax') to Hamilton Fish, reporting he has not yet received his copies of the Lincoln Memorial, on Vice President's Chamber notepaper, one page on a bifolium, 8vo, Washington, 9 July [18]70; with signature of J. G. Blaine, Speaker, dated 19 April 1871, one page, oblong 8vo, three items affixed to an album leaf, the others loosev) Autograph letter signed ('de Grey') to Cremer written on the voyage back to England after the signing of the Treaty, sorry to leave Washington and regretting that the Senate would not ratify the Treaty before he left, talking of the Free Trade movement in the US and asking him to report back on the reaction to the treaty in Canada, 8pp., creased, remains of guard, 8vo, 31 May 1871; with a manuscript fragment outlining two points of the treaty with regards to inshore fisheries, one page torn from a larger sheet, oblong 8vo, [1871]Footnotes:A LANDMARK TREATY FORGING PERMANENT FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN BRITAIN, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE 'GREAT RAPPOCHEMENT' AND THE FORMATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS.The present collection includes the signatures of all the key figures involved in the signing of the Treaty of Washington, including U.S. President, and hero of the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant, his Secretary of State Hamilton Fish and the British delegation led by George Robinson, Earl de Grey and Ripon. It was assembled by Frederic Daustini Cremer who acted as secretary to de Grey and travelled with him and his son Viscount Goderich to Washington for the proceedings, where he also obtained letters by William Sherman amongst others for his collection. The treaty augmented permanent peaceful relations between the United States and Canada, and the United States and Britain by settling various disputes lingering from the civil war, navigation and fishing rights, and defining the rules for neutral governments during times of war, thereby establishing a precedent for future international arbitration. Provenance: The Rev. Frederic Daustini Cremer (1848-1927); thence by descent to the present owner.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
ERNST CHAIN'S NOBEL PRIZE FOR PENICILLINThe 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Sir Ernst Chain for his work on the discovery of penicillin:Nobel Prize medal struck in 23 carat gold, approximately 200g., 67mm in diameter, design by Erik Lindberg and manufactured by the Swedish Royal Mint (Kungliga Mynt och Justeringsverkey);the obverse with bust of Alfred Nobel facing left, 'ALFR. / NOBEL' to left of bust, 'NAT. / MDCCC / XXXIII / OB. / MDCCC / XCVI' to right of bust, signed 'E. LINDBERG 1902' to the lower left edge;the reverse featuring an allegorical vignette of the Genius of Medicine with an open book on her lap, collecting the water pouring from a rock to aid a sick girl beside her, the legend above reading 'INVENTAS VITAM IUVAT EX COLUISSE PER ARTES', the plaque below the vignette reading 'E.B. CHAIN / MCMXLV', the motto to either side of the plaque reading 'REG. UNIVERSITAS' 'MED. CHIR. CAROL.', signed 'E. LINDBERG' to the lower right of the vignette,housed in the original diced maroon morocco case with gilt decoration, lined in velvet and satin,TOGETHER WITH:(i) Nobel Prize Diploma presented to Sir Alexander Fleming, Ernst Boris Chain, and Sir Howard Walter Florey, issued jointly 'for the discovery of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases', the first leaf featuring a unique artwork by the Swedish artist Jerk Werkmäster (1896-1978), depicting two figures in front of a tree with a central cartouche bearing the initials 'EBC'; one figure wears a suit of armour and carries a flag emblazoned with three crowns, the national emblem of Sweden; the second figure wears a lab coat and carries a flag emblazoned with the bowl of Hygeia, the rod of Asclepius, and a rooster (sacred bird to Asclepius); the second leaf with calligraphic inscription in Swedish in blue, black and red, signed beneath by 28 members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, 2 leaves, on vellum, each 341 x 242mm., mounted in a blue leather gilt-ruled portfolio, upper cover with gilt-stamped central wreath encircling the monogram 'EBC' [Ernst Boris Chain], lower cover with gilt-stamped staff of Asclepius, Stockholm, 25th October 1945.(ii) Typescript of Ernst Chain's Nobel Prize acceptance speech ( '...As a member of one of the most cruelly persecuted races in the world I am profoundly grateful to Providence that it has fallen to me, together with my friend Sir Howard Florey, to originate this work on penicillin which has helped to alleviate the suffering of the wounded soldiers of Britain, the country that has adopted me...') 3 pages, rectos only, (225 x 360mm.), with carbon copy, and a later printed copy of the speech.Footnotes:'THE HIGHEST DISTINCTION A SCIENTIST MAY HOPE TO ACHIEVE': THE NOBEL MEDAL AWARDED TO SIR ERNST CHAIN FOR HIS WORK ON THE DISCOVERY OF PENICILLIN.In the Nobel presentation speech by Professor G. Liljestrand, he celebrates the work of Ernst Chain, Howard Florey, and Alexander Fleming:'in a time when annihilation and destruction through the inventions of man have been greater than ever before in history, the introduction of penicillin is a brilliant demonstration that human genius is just as well able to save life and combat disease.'The discovery of penicillin, and its curative effect in infectious diseases, is arguably the most profoundly important discovery in the field of medical science in the 20th century. More than 200 million lives are estimated to have been directly saved by the use of penicillin as an anti-bacterial treatment. Previously fatal ailments were easily treatable as a result of this research. The Nobel Prize is recognised internationally as the highest possible accolade in the field of Physiology or Medicine, and the present lot is the prize awarded to Doctor Ernst Chain for his central role in this world-changing discovery.The Prelude To Chain's Nobel Prize-winning Contribution To PenicillinThe quest to counteract infectious diseases made significant progress as early as the 19th century, with the valuable research work by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch. With the nature of such diseases identified and linked to the invasion of bacteria, attempts at developing vaccinations and treatments accelerated. For antibiotics, one of the earliest forays was the experiments of Lord Lister in 1871, which – though inconclusive – explored the possibility of the growth of a fungus creating a less favourable environment for bacteria. A year later, William Roberts of the Manchester Victoria hospital noted antagonism between fungi and bacteria. In 1876, separate research by John Tyndall also noted the combative effect of Penicillium glaucum on bacterial micro-organisms. New methods of application were also discovered and developed around this time, as shown by the awarding of the first ever Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1901 to Emil von Behring for his work on serum therapy.It is against this backdrop of intense medical development that Alexander Fleming observed the effectiveness of a rarer, contaminated mould he described as Penicillium notatum prevented the growth of bacteria from the staphylococcus group. The substance itself he named penicillin, which prevented the formation of new bacterial cell walls, resulting in the slowing of reproduction, and eventual death of, the targeted bacteria. After Fleming published his observations in the British Journal of Experimental Pathology (No. 10, 1929), and with early attempts to purify the mould by Clutterbuck, Lovell and Raistrick ending in limited success, research into penicillin appears to have paused indefinitely. It was not until 1939 and the work of the William Dunn School of Pathology at Oxford University – headed by Sir Howard Florey and with the defining contributions of Ernst Chain – that the extent of its curative effects could be realized:'The introduction of penicillin into clinical medicine... [was] of a magnitude such as no-one could possibly foresee... even in the loftiest flights of fantasy'Ernst Chain ('25 Years Of Penicillin', draft manuscript)Ernst Chain's Early Life And CareerBorn in Berlin in 1906, Ernst Boris Chain was from a diverse continental background; his mother (Margaret Eisner) was German, his father (Michael Chain) Russian, both of Jewish origin. Chain developed an interest in chemistry from a young age, inspired by his father's occupation as a trained chemist. He obtained his degree from the Friedrich-Wilhelm University in Berlin in 1930. His other great passion was music, and as a skilled pianist and music critic in the 1920s his future may have been in the arts rather than science (Chain continued to perform recitals throughout his academic career).Despite Chain's talents and ambitions, he was forced to leave Germany in 1933. The appointment of Hitler as German Chancellor was swiftly followed by restrictive measures limiting the rights of Jewish citizens including access to universities. Amidst increasing anti-Semitism in his home country, and threatened with the loss of rights and research opportunities, Chain made the difficult decision to emigrate to the United Kingdom, receiving his first doctorate in absentia; his mother and sister stayed in Germany, and died during the Holocaust. 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LE CLERC (SÉBASTIEN)Vorzeichnungen, 50 engraved illustrations of human faces and forms on 25 leaves, modern purple calf with diagonal pattern decorations in blind, with modern folding case, oblong 8vo (200 x 275mm.), Augsburg, Academischen Kunsthandlung, n.d.; Figures de la Passion de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ, engraved title page and 34 (of 35) engraved plates by Jean Pacot, lacking plate 3 with a blank bound in its place, minor toning, contemporary gilt-ruled calf, rebacked [Cohen-de Ricci 396; Sander 688], oblong 8vo (205 x 141mm.), Paris, G Audran, [c.1720]; Quelqu[es] [f]igures[,] chevaux[,] paysages presen[tés] A Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne par [...] le Clerc, 35 engraved plates (of 60), including engraved title page, damp-staining to upper margins of several plates, a few stubs of removed plates visible in gutters, light soiling to title, modern gilt, solander box [Cohen-de Ricci 612], oblong 12mo (135 x 200mm.), Paris, G. Audran, [c.1700]; Vita et miracula sanctissimi patris Benedicti, FIRST EDITION, engraved title and 32 plates by Bernardino Passeri after Le Clerc, no letterpress text, large repaired tear through most of plate 10, marginal tear with old repair to plate 20, chips and tears to corners of plates 13, 28 and 32, contemporary calf, rebacked, worn, with old repairs, hinges cracked, numerous ink inscriptions on endpapers [Brunet IV 418; Cicognara 2138; Mortimer 362], 4to (340 x 245mm.), [c.1700]; Metamorphoses d'Ovide en rondeaux, additional engraved title, engraved royal arms on title-page, numerous engraved illustrations in text, early ownership inscription on lower margin of engraved title, browning, occasional spotting and minor soiling, modern calf gilt, in marbled paper slipcase [Goldsmith 237], 4to (287 x 210mm.), Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1676; and 11 others by Le Clerc, Du Fresnoy, Fleury and Callot (16)This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Mixed African brassware and mixed 20th century metalware to include a Victorian watering can, together with 2 mid-20th century carved Asian figures, vintage bottles and horseshoes, a mid-20th century AA car badge, a vintage case and a Cannon wrought iron casserole dish with lid Location: A4B
The Indian Mutiny medal awarded to Corporal W. G. Morey, who was wounded in action while serving with the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry; a civilian who rose from a humble draper’s assistant in Tasmania to become a well known adventurer, sportsman, and one of India’s finest exponents of the hazardous sport of ‘Pig-Sticking’ Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Corpl. Wm. Morey, Bengal Yeo. Cavy.) together with contemporary dress miniature, fitted with ribbon brooch buckle, named on the edge ‘Sergt. W. G. Morey B.Y. Cavy.’, nearly extremely fine and scarce (2) £800-£1,000 --- William George Morey was born circa 1837 at Chichester, Sussex, the 8th of 10 sons and 3 daughters to James Morey, a shoemaker, later a relieving officer and his wife Martha (née Bullbeck). After the death of his mother on 8 March 1854, James, with a large portion of the older members of his family, emigrated to Australia. The Hobart Colonial Times, dated 10 October 1854, lists among the new arrivals on the City of Hobart from Melbourne, James Morey senior, sons Charles and Josiah together with their wives, daughter Amelia, and two younger sons William and Walter. James opened a drapery store, assisted by William, but it went into liquidation shortly afterwards. With the family situation tenuous William, seeking adventure, travelled to Melbourne where he boarded the American owned ship Rowena and sailed to Calcutta arriving in October 1855, aged just 17. Papers Past in the New Zealand Archives has an article from the Grey River Argus titled “Incidents of the Indian Mutiny”, dated 14 April 1888, by a certain ‘J.P.’ who relates the following: ‘Previous to my becoming a Govern[ment]-employee I held a situation in a Calcutta house, and among others in the same store was a young man named Fred (sic) Morey. Born and bred in London he had served some time as a draper’s assistant but the spirit of adventure and the desire of seeing foreign countries was too strong within him to allow him to remain as such. As soon as the mutiny broke out he threw up his situation and went up country, where he joined the irregular cavalry. During the period he and I were together I had conceived a friendship for him and he stated when leaving he would correspond with me. Soon after his departure I resigned my situation and went up country and heard no more of him. Some days after the arrival of the Lucknow-wounded Mr Carter, a Calcutta merchant, he told me that Morey was among the wounded in Fort William, and was desirous of seeing me, having called upon him and expressed that wish. I went and saw him more than once and happy to say he afterwards recovered and accepted a situation in the same house that employed him before becoming a sabreur.’ It is unclear if this article was written in 1888 or earlier which may account for the inconsistencies of the text but it is clearly referring to William Morey. The Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry was a melange of incongruous men with little or nothing known of each participant other than their name on a medal roll. Raised as early as 23 July 1857, it consisted of strays, adventurers, merchants, planters, teachers, clerks, seafarers, Eurasians ‘of good character’ and ‘homeless’ British or H.E.I.C. army officers who were without a regiment. The only criteria was the ability to ride a horse which understandably confounded the mariners amongst their number. Interestingly the corps members elected their own Lieutenants. They wore a practical ostentatious uniform of corduroy breeches with knee high boots, loose blue flannel blouses and grey felt helmets enveloped in a huge white pugree, their personal arms comprising a heavy sabre, a light carbine and a formidable revolver. The B.Y.C. joined the operational Sarun Field Force at Chatra on the Nepal border in January 1858, serving under Colonel (later Brigadier, C.B.) Rowcroft. The medal roll shows Morey listed as a Corporal serving in the 2nd Troop. The mutineers gave the B.Y.C. the soubriquet “Shaitan-i-Pultan”, the “Devil’s” or “Satan’s Regiment”, due to the ferocity of their charges. With a lack of mounted units the B.Y.C. protected the flanks of various British columns, sharing the trials of climate, exposure, disease and terrain. The BYC fought in 17 actions during the campaign but perhaps their greatest triumph came at Almorah on 5 March 1858, when they made three successive and successful charges to protect the flanks of the column, while Pearl’s Naval Brigade led the forward assault. They were to perform further good services and charges at Tilga (17 April), Deamureagunj (26 November), Toolsipore (23 December), and Kandi Koti (4 January 1859). The Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry was disbanded in the spring of May 1859. Quite when Morey was wounded is unknown as he does not appear in any official casualty figures. After the mutiny Morey returned to Calcutta and according to ‘J.P.’ returned to his job in a Calcutta trading house. The directories of 1861 and 1863 show Morey working in the Indian silk industry as an assistant in R. Watson & Co’s silk filatures at Surdah and Motehar, and concerns at Rajshahi, West Bengal, later becoming Manager of the Radnagore Silk and Indigo concerns at Panchkoorah, Midnapore in 1873. In 1875 the Bengal Directory shows him as the manager of the Fureedpore silk concern. Morey was to become a leading expert in the silk trade comparing the quality of Indian silk to that produced in Italy. In 1871 William married Frances Sophia daughter of Thomas Tweedie, a deputy magistrate in Bengal, who had inherited large indigo estates from his father. He continued working in West Bengal until 1900 before retiring to Ootacamund (Ooty) in the Nilgiri Hills, living in a house called Sydenham. Here he was to become a well loved member of the Nilgiri and Bangalore community. He died on 7 May 1905, on Ootacamund racetrack riding a horse belonging to his son-in-law Captain Gordon-Price when, between the 3rd furlong and half mile posts, he fell from his horse. He was 68 years of age. One might say that he ‘died in harness’ but racing and hunting were indeed his passions. In 1871 the South Australian Chronicle records that Morey sold 31 horses in Colombo for £906, so it is clear he was trading in Indian and Australian horses, if not breeding them, for many years. He was described as genial and fond of the society of men, and his accounts of the Nilgiri racing and hunting scene for the South India Observer were jovial and racy. He was a wonderful rider and just a year before his death he won a race with his country-bred ‘Kunigal’. However, it was the sport of ‘Pig-Sticking’ that he loved most. Ferocious and dangerous, it was not for the faint hearted. Pig-Sticking in Bengal by Raoul, 1893, devotes his book to the best known exponents of this art including William Morey. Raoul gives dozens of pages to the hunts that relate to Morey ‘whose blood is always up when he sees pigs’. It tells a rollicking yarn of the shikari and hunter against a formidable foe. Raoul also provides us with a full length photograph of Morey. The danger is emphasised in an article from The Queenslander, 6 September 1890, which relates: ‘Mr Morey, a well known planter and sportsman in Bengal, was out hunting lately, on horseback, with his daughter, when a wild boar suddenly sprang from the jungle, and making for Mr Morey, threw over both horse and rider with a severe crash. The brute was on the point of tearing his victim with his formidable tusks, when Miss Morey sprang to the ground and placed herself between him and her father, who had been stunne...
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