[Gaspar, Baron Gourgaud.] Typescript of 'Napoleon The Prisoner of St. Helena. By General Baron Gourgaud' (published with deletions as 'The St. Helena Journal of General Baron Gourgaud'). With autograph notes by Edwards and ALS from a later Baron.

732pp, 4to, with the translation proper (paginated to 654), preceded Edwards's introduction (35pp, including five pages of 'references') and a section on 'The Gorgaud Problem' (42pp), the later featuring as an appendix (pp.337-356) in the printed version. Each page is typed on a separate leaf, and the whole is bound in a substantial red half-calf binding, with strengthened inner hinges. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with some wear to the binding. The volume is inscribed on a fly leaf as follows: 'Extracts from this MS were published by my friend (Sir) Allen [sic] Lane (The Bodley Head) in 1932 under the Title "The St Helena Journal of General Baron Gourgaud" - translated by my brother-in-law - Sydney Gillard, MA (Cantab) & edited with an introduction & notes by Norman Edwards, with a preface by Hilaire Belloc. This M.S. is inscribed for my friend Val Gielgud at 5 Sudeley Street Brighton Sussex, Nov 22 / 1968 by Norman Edwards'. In Edwards's autograph at head of title-page: 'Vol I Spare Copy | Uncorrected | Foot Notes, etc not included | NE'. Despite this note, the volume does contain footnotes in manuscript to the first four chapters. The present text constitutes an early draft, with extensive emendations to the first 167 pages (i.e. to the end of the seventh of the book's twenty-nine chapters). Chapter divisions differ from the printed version (Chapter 8 in the typescript corresponding to Chapter 13 in the printed version for example) and chapter titles are added in manuscript. It is clear that the material was dealt with in batches: Edwards has written 'OK for Retyping' at the beginning of Chapter Four, and 'Checked: OK - NFE' at the start of Chapter Five. There are no manuscript notes or footnotes after p.167 (suggesting that another copy was used for correction thereafter) but pp.1-167 of the typescript carry numerous instances of text which is not present in the printed version. These range from phrases to whole pages (25 and 62). A few examples indicate the quality of the material not used in the printed version. Chapter 2 of the typescript begins with the following, not present in the printed version: 'November 15th. I visit the Emperor. The "Weymouth" brings news from France. It is said that this vessel left only three days after us. Madame Bertrand receives a letter; from the Duke of Bedford, she says. His Majesty corrects my chapter and asks me to collect material for another chapter. | November 16th. I recopy my chapter. About 5 o'clock, wishing to take a stroll, I am prevented by the sentry. The prohibition is general. I appeal to the officer on guard. Ross and Glover act as interpreters. I am told again there is a mistake but in spite of this the sentry is not punished.' Another example, on p.45, reads: 'December 24th. Glover announces the arrival of the Admiral with the sister and mother of Admiral Blatton - who has just died in India. The captain of the "Doris" accompanies them. His Majesty tells me that he will not receive them. O'Meara, who was then with the Emperor, had just told him that the evening before the Admiral had received two letters from His Majesty, but that they were full of invective against him, but if he wished to see them he would send them to him. The Emperor is very annoyed and cries: "What shameful imperinence!" The Admiral strolls with the party. Seeing him, His Majesty repeats that we must all complain. The foreigners think Longwood delightful. I chat with Mr. Tinck, who assures me that there is more respect shown to the Emperor here than in Paris, that he has spent ten years in France, and that he hopes things will change.' The published version also omits the following significant statement by Napoleon, during a conversation about his second marriage: 'Then the Emperor wonders whether it would not have been better if he had not had any children.' Cursory examination of the text of the last twenty-two chapters (pp.169-654) shows minor variations from the published version. Loosely inserted in the volume is an Autograph Letter Signed ('Gourgaud'), in English, from Gaspar Gourgaud's great-grandson the art connoisseur Napoléon Gourgaud, on letterhead of 77 Rue de Lille. 2pp., 8vo. On aged and worn paper. Presumably writing to Edwards, he expresses 'great pleasure that the "Journal" of my great gnd father is going to be published in English - and in the British <?> where I count so many friends'. He grants permission for the reproduction of 'any portrait of my ancestor that I possess in my collection - I believe that a very large miniature by DAubigny would be the best.' He ends with details of his plans. A second postscript reads: 'Practically impossible to find the French edition!' Gourgaud's journal was not published in French until 1899, and no English version has appeared since Edwards's 1932 edition. According to Lord Rosebery, According to Lord Rosebery, 'The one capital and superior record of life at St. Helena is the private journal of General Gourgaud. It was written, in the main at least, for his own eye, without flattery or even prejudice. It is sometimes almost brutal in its realism. He alone of all the chroniclers strove to be accurate, and on the whole succeeded.'