A Journal by Thos: Hughes for his Amusement, & Designed only for his Perusal by the time he attains the Age of 50 if he lives so long. (1778-1789)

xiv, 187, [1] pp. 8vo. Facsimile of first page of journal opposite title page, fold-out map follows text. From the jacket flap: '...covers a period of twelve years from 1777 to 1789. The writer left Eton at the age of fifteen and enlisted in the 53rd Regiment, in which his father held a commission. Shortly afterwards he purchased an ensigncy, and in 1776 embarked with his regiment for Canada. The regiment came under Burgoyne's command and Hughes's diary proper begins on 18 September 1777, on which day he was taken prisoner in a surprise attack, nearly a month before Burgoyne's final surrender. Hughes was a prisoner on parole for four years - nearly half of his journal. By the end of 1778, after many movements and some hardships, he found himself at New York, of which (as of other towns) he gives a careful description. He at length came back to England in charge of a party of invalids. In 1783 he went to Boulogne to learn French and lived there some time; his journal contains interesting details of social life in France. He was still in France at the celebration of the Peace of Paris in January 1784. That year, however, he rejoined his regiment in Canada and his journal contains much interesting topographical detail and some account of Indian customs. He died of consumption in January 1790.'