WILLIAM COTTON OSWELL, HUNTER AND EXPLORER; The Story of His Life with Certain Correspondence and Extracts from the Private Journal of David Livingstone, hitherto unpublished.
William Heinemann. 1900 London, 1st edn, 2 vol, 267pp & 289pp, many illus, fold-out maps. A very good set, spines slightly lighter than boards, book plates, name in pen and small name stamps of the previous owner on front end papers of both volumes. Item #002097
This most interesting biography is the life story of the famous explorer whom Livingstone declared 'the best friend we had in Africa.' It contains letters from Oswell written from Rugby in Arnold's days, and contemporary reminiscences of his school-fellow by the late Judge Hughes (Tom Brown). It gives a lively sketch of the life of an Indian civilian in the old Company's service, with a most graphic and spirited picture of the catching and taming of the Indian elephant. The Crimea, where Oswell carried secret-service money for Lord Raglan and helped the surgeons in the field, is dealt with, and there is an account, full of sport and adventure, of five expeditions into Africa, between the years 1844-51. Two of these expeditions were made with Livingstone, who thenceforward plays an important part in the book. Not only has the correspondence that passed between the two men been largely drawn upon, but Mrs. Livingstone has put her father's private journals at the disposal of the author, and unpublished extracts from Livingston's journals are also given.
Price: $1,250.00