Diary of service in Burma

230 pages, 8vo, marbled boads, spine missing, quarter of book almost detached from rest, contents in good condition. The only evidence for the diarist's identity and rank, apart from a thorough exploration of the many names of people he gives and the references to regiments, is his statement towards the end (back in England) when he signs his name at Government House, Devonport as "Gen. Hutchinson". His rank is also indicated by his freedom of movement (frequently out alone walking, riding or shooting) and his being Field Officer of the day and the President of several Courts Martial of various kinds (District, Regimental, etc.). He is not an enthusiastic soldier, saying at one point, "I am getting more disgusted every day with Indian soldiering but the pay is good." It is post-Mutiny but no sense of insecurity is given, the most dramatic event being a prison break which the diarist led 100 men to subdue. Fires occur often to provide more drama in a life free of military incident (fighting). Daily life (near or in Rangoon mainly but involving travel elsewhere in Burma) comprises: parades, drills, walks, visit to the Cinese bazaar, sightseeing (especially admiring pagodas), races, regattas, cricket (a lot happening - he didn't participate), church, tiffin, theatricals, riding, shooting, etc, etc. Shooting is his sport of choice and he is happy to shoot jungle fowl, pigeons, hog deer, deer, bucks, even monkeys! He and his friends and beaters nearly bagged a tiger, a hunt which he describes in detail - wounded tiger escapes in thick jungle. When he buys a gun he doesn't say just that, he gives maker's name and number and cost! It jars on modern dsensibility that he can say "I went out shooting alone with 4 Burmese". Othe events: proclamation transferring the country to the Queen (1-11-1858); arrival of King of Delhi with "the ladies closely muffled up & they seemed to be a bundle of dirty clothes"; a Hindu festival; sent Burmese to the stocks; arrivasl and departuse of ships; mail from home; "swollen epdidymus", neuralgia; Donati's comet; travels around Burma; Fitzroy goes offf to be ADC to Trevelyan; minimal contact with Burmese, mainly as beaters, occasional observations; trip home via Pykara, Bangalore, Madras, Ceylon. A