A small collection comprising a manuscript biography of Robert Napier "Engineer-Soldier", letters, newspaper clippings and proofs (some annotated) from the papers of W. Martin Wood, sometime editor of "The Times of India".

Most in fair condition, some in poor. The collection comprises: A. One ALS and 3 draft ALSs from Wood (2 apparently incomplete), total 16pp. with some notes, not an easy read: to unknown correspondent (1877) on "public works questions"; to Syed Hussein (1878) checking facts about cultivation in Hyderabad for newspaper article (prob. annotated by Hussein so ALS not a draft); to "Mr Machen[?](no date) about a pamphlet he's just published on the issues of the day; to Col. C. Gorden RE about copies of his pamphlet being sent to the Marquis of Ripon, presumably upon his appointment as Viceroy of India in 1880 (Gorden perhaps his aide de camp) and some reprints of his works,discussing his career ("I have been longer in the Indian Press than any other English journalist", giving him an "intimate knowledge of Indian questions"), passing comment on people and issues including "the lunatic Afghan frolic of the late Government", hoping for the Marquis's appreciation of another point of view. He would welcome questions. He also had planned to enclose another letter to Sir R. Temple dealing with the "dynamics of communication"; with a scrawled page of figures concerning the publication of a pamphlet ("single copy" and "Adv[ertisement]" being the only words); and scrawled notes (Indian financial affairs?). B. Three ALSs, "Rutlong" to W. Martin Wood, with additional pages with extra names, concerning the address list for sending a pamphlet ([1877]) Wood has published, a list essentially of all those with interest or an interest in India at the time (including newspapers and periodicals)(1877). Names include: the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Lytton, Genl Strachey, J. Goschen, Thacker, some Indian and Sinhalese newspapers, etc. Rutlong's list is accompanied by Wood's own suggestions (presumably copies sent to Rutlong) which sometimes duplicate Rutlong's list, but add such as J. L. Kipling, Henry Fawcett, Indian names, "Native Opinion", etc. C. Letters from Bombay Gazette Office, and Times of India, both 1876, former about payment for an advertisment, latter rates for publishing a 12-page pamphlet. D. Newspaper/periodical clippings, subjects: Indian finances, "legitimate banking", various Indian matters, W. Martin Wood on Indian religions, Indian Public Works, Indian trade, reply to W. Martin Wood by the Secretary of State on "disturbed currency", "The New Governor-General" (printed anon. but Wood writes his name in), review of Wood's writings on Public Works' Finances, Exchanges and Loans, response to Wood's letter on the "financial policy of the Government of India", five others various. E. Galleys, subjects: Wood on Indian finance, Wood's speech on "The development of agriculture in India" (information about context of speech in Wood's hand), obituary of sculptor, Geflowski, "Notes from England" including Indian matter (prob. by Wood), reply to Wood on Indian Railway System, Wood's speech on the further admission of natives into the Indian Civil Service, etc, (contex written in Wood's hand), Wood's speech on "the Imperial Institute, its advantages to India" (context given in Wood's hand), note on Russia, report on meeting of the National Indian Association (Wood's blue pencil marks margin), Wood's speech on the National Congress. E. Letters to Wood, 1881-1901, most with no India content and by people who ring no bells. F. Manuscript biography entitled "Robert Napier - the Engineer-Soldier", concluding with initials "M.W.", 13pp., cr.8vo, in Wood's hand, annotated and corrected by him. Perhaps an obituary for his newspaper.