London: Richard Bentley, 1858. First edition. Octavo. Original publisher's blindstamped cloth gilt. iv, 348 pp., leaf size 195 x 124 mm. Early ink ownership inscription of 'E. Macpherson' to head of title, front hinge cracked but holding, remnants of excised bookplate to front pastedown, contents noticeably fresh and clean. Covers faintly marked, binding cocked. Overall a Very Good + copy, rare in any condition but especially so in unrestored original cloth.

The sole edition of a valuable and informative account of the siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. Despite the death of her husband Colonel William Case during the early days of the siege, Adelaide provides a detailed and important account of a key event in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The five-month siege culminated in the eventual evacuation of Lucknow in November of 1857 after two relief efforts. The 16th November still holds the record for most Victoria Crosses issued in a single day, with twent- three of the twenty-four awarded for deeds performed during the relief of Lucknow.

Likely the copy of Emma Macpherson who was born in Culna, Bengal in 1833. She married Allan Macpherson III of Blairgowie in 1853 and her eldest child was Sir William Charles Macpherson (1855-1936), civil servant in India, member of the Bengal Legislative Council (1902-11), and the Board of Revenue of Calcutta (1906- 11).

Provenance: Likely Emma Macpherson (née Blake, 1833-1915), ownership inscription. Very Good + (Item #8131)